METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTUATING A LASTING CHANGE IN A NEURAL-FUNCTION OF A PATIENT
First Claim
1. A method of effectuating a neural-function of a patient associated with an impaired body part, comprising:
- selecting a stimulation site by (a) generating an intended neural activity by triggering a neural signal in or from an impaired body part, and (b) detecting a region of the brain in which a response neural activity occurs in reaction to the neural signal;
positioning at least a first electrode at the stimulation site; and
applying an electrical potential to pass a current through the first electrode.
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Abstract
The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for intracranial electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. Several embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention are directed toward enhancing or otherwise inducing a lasting change in neural activity to effectuate a particular neural-function. Such lasting change in neural activity is defined as “neuroplasticity.” The methods in accordance with the invention can be used to treat brain damage (e.g., stroke, trauma, etc.), brain disease (e.g., Alzheimer'"'"'s, Pick'"'"'s, Parkinson'"'"'s, etc.), and/or brain disorders (e.g., epilepsy, depression, etc.). The methods in accordance with the invention can also be used to enhance neural-function of normal, healthy brains (e.g., learning, memory, etc.), or to control sensory functions (e.g., pain). Certain embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention electrically stimulate the brain at a stimulation site where neuroplasticity is occurring. The stimulation site may be different than the region in the brain where neural activity is typically present to perform the particular neural function according to the functional organization of the brain. In one embodiment in which neuroplasticity related to the neural-function occurs in the brain, the method can include identifying the location where such neuroplasticity is present. In an alternative embodiment in which neuroplasticity is not occurring in the brain, an alternative aspect is to induce neuroplasticity at a stimulation site where it is expected to occur. Several embodiments of these methods that are expected to produce a lasting effect on the intended neural activity at the stimulation site use electrical pulses that increase the resting membrane potential of neurons at the stimulation site to a subthreshold level.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of effectuating a neural-function of a patient associated with an impaired body part, comprising:
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selecting a stimulation site by (a) generating an intended neural activity by triggering a neural signal in or from an impaired body part, and (b) detecting a region of the brain in which a response neural activity occurs in reaction to the neural signal; positioning at least a first electrode at the stimulation site; and applying an electrical potential to pass a current through the first electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of effectuating a neural-function of a patient associated with an impaired body part, comprising:
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selecting a stimulation site by (a) inducing an electrical signal that is expected to generate a response in neural activity associated with the impaired body part, and (b) detecting a parameter related to the response in the neural activity; positioning an electrode assembly at the stimulation site; and applying an electrical stimulation to the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of effectuating a neural-function of a patient associated with an impaired body part that is incapable of volitional control, comprising:
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positioning an electrode assembly proximate to a region of the cortex of the patient where neural activity for motor control of the impaired body part is expected or determined to occur; selecting a stimulation site in the region of the cortex by (a) applying an electrical stimulation to at least one configuration of electrodes, and (b) detecting the extent to which the applied electrical stimulation produces a response in the impaired body part; and applying an electrical stimulation therapy to the selected body part via the electrode assembly. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15-19. -19. (canceled)
Specification