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 brain of a patient associated with a first location in the brain, comprising:
- identifying a stimulation site in and/or on the brain where neural activity has changed in response to a change in the neural-function in the first location of the brain;
positioning a first electrode at the stimulation site;
positioning a second electrode at the stimulation site; and
applying an electrical potential between the first and second electrodes.
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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. 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).
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of effectuating a neural-function of a brain of a patient associated with a first location in the brain, comprising:
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identifying a stimulation site in and/or on the brain where neural activity has changed in response to a change in the neural-function in the first location of the brain; positioning a first electrode at the stimulation site; positioning a second electrode at the stimulation site; and applying an electrical potential between the first and second electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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7. The method of clam 6 wherein detecting the neural activity comprises taking functional MRI images of the brain and monitoring neural activity at the second location.
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9. The method of clam 8 wherein detecting a change in the neural activity comprises taking functional MRI images of the brain while the patient learns the task.
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11. The method of clam 10 wherein detecting a change in the neural activity comprises taking functional MRI images of the brain while the patient learns the task.
Specification