Various Apparatus and Methods for Deep Brain Stimulating Electrodes

• US 20100298908A1
• Filed: 05/30/2010
• Published: 11/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arnold B. Vardiman
• Original Assignee: Arnold B. Vardiman
• Inventors: Vardiman, Arnold B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,473,073 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/054 with electrotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0693 Brain, cerebrum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0539 Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36067 Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

A deploying deep brain stimulating probe with a shaft, at least one opening on said shaft, at least one extendable tendril, said tendril deploying from said shaft into surrounding tissue through said opening and an electrode disposed on said tendril.

Claims

1. A method for treating disabling neurological symptoms, comprising:

locating a target within a patient'"'"'s neuromatter where nerve signals generate disabling neurological symptoms;

inserting a probe into said neuromatter adjacent the target, said probe capable of delivering treatment to a zone;

determining whether effective treatment can be delivered from said inserted probe to the target, and if effective treatment cannot be delivered from said inserted probe to the target;

expanding the zone without repositioning the probe; and

selectively stimulating the target to deliver effective treatment.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the expanding step includes deploying at least one extendable tendril, said tendril having a proximal end and a distal end, and capable of selectively moving from a first position contained within the probe to a second position adjacent said target, said tendril configured to deliver treatment to the brain tissue.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the treatment includes any of the group consisting of one or more of the following:

electrical stimulation, delivery of a pharmaceutical, or delivery of a bioactive agent.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said deployment of said at least one extendable tendril utilizes a fluid-actuated deployment system comprising a plurality of fluid lines, each line with a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end attached to said tendril and the proximal end connected to an actuation reservoir.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising using a percutaneous injector and a plurality of subcutaneous actuation reservoirs.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said inserting step includes directing the probe adjacent the target, said probe comprising a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a hollow section;

at least one opening on the distal end of said shaft, said opening connecting the hollow section to adjacent brain tissue; and

at least one extendable tendril with a proximal end and a distal end, said tendril deploying from the hollow section of said shaft into the tissue through said opening and capable of stimulating said tissue.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the inserting step utilizes a shaft which is arcuate at the distal end.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising using a plurality of tendrils that are selectively moved from a first position contained within the hollow section to a second position adjacent said target.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the tendrils are moved synchronously.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the tendrils are moved independently.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the treatment includes any of the group consisting of one or more of the following:

electrical stimulation, delivery of a pharmaceutical, or delivery of a bioactive agent.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said deployment of said least one extendable tendril utilizes a fluid-actuated deployment system comprising a plurality of fluid lines, each line with a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end attached to said tendril and the proximal end connected to an actuation reservoir.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the inserting step utilizes a graduated depth indicator for determining the depth of probe insertion.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the graduated depth indicator is color banded.