Various Apparatus and Methods for Deep Brain Stimulating Electrodes

• US 20100298918A1
• 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 8,666,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• 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 deployable probe for stimulating deep brain tissue, 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.

2. The probe of claim 1 further comprising a tendril deployer for allowing said tendril to contact the brain tissue at a desired time and location.

3. The probe of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of tendrils that are capable of selectively moving from a first position contained within the hollow section to a second position adjacent said brain tissue, said movement being accomplished through the use of the deployer.

4. The probe of claim 3 wherein said deployer is capable of synchronously deploying said tendrils.

5. The probe of claim 3 wherein said deployer is capable of independently deploying said tendrils.

6. The probe of claim 2 further comprising an electrode attached to the distal end for the purpose of treating the brain tissue by delivering a preselected level of electrical stimulation.

7. The probe of claim 6 wherein the level of electrical stimulation can vary in terms of amplitude, frequency, or pulse width.

8. The probe of claim 2 wherein said tendril is configured to deliver an infusate to the brain tissue at the distal end of said tendril.

9. The probe of claim 2 wherein said tendril is configured to deliver an infusate to the brain tissue from a length along the tendril.

10. The probe of claim 2 wherein said shaft is arcuate at the distal end.

11. The probe of claim 3 further comprising a radio-opaque marker attached to the distal end of said tendrils.

12. The probe of claim 3 wherein said shaft further comprises a graduated depth indicator for determining the depth of probe insertion.

13. The probe of claim 8 further comprising a radio-opaque marker attached to the distal end of said tendrils.

14. The probe of claim 8 wherein the shaft further comprises a graduated depth indicator for determining the depth of probe insertion.

15. The probe of claim 10 further comprising a radio-opaque marker attached to the distal end of said tendrils.

16. The probe of claim 10 wherein said shaft further comprises a graduated depth indicator for determining the depth of probe insertion.

17. The probe of claim 3 further comprising a stiffener included within said shaft.