Implantable epilepsy monitor apparatus

• US 4,566,464 A
• Filed: 07/27/1981
• Issued: 01/28/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Devices Development Corporation
• Original Assignee: Eric G. Leveen, John N. Piccone, Louis A. Piccone, Robert F. Leveen, Vincent A. Piccone
• Inventors: LeVeen, Robert F., Piccone, Louis A., LeVeen, Eric G., Piccone, John N., Piccone, Vincent A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Kyle L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shein, Mitchell J.
• Application Number:
  US06/286,851
• Time in Patent Office: 1,646 Days
• Field of Search: 128/731, 128/732, 128/903, 128/419 PG
• US Class Current: 600/545
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/386 Accessories or supplementary instruments therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4094 Diagnosing or monitoring seizure diseases, e.g. epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7257 using Fourier transforms

Abstract

A low-power personal epilepsy seizure warning system is disclosed based on the clinical observation that while the brain potentials marking the onset of epilepsy vary from patient to patient, indicative brain potentials in any one patient are highly likely to remain constant. The system includes an implantable monitor to detect brain potentials and recognize the onset of a seizure, and an external warning unit to warn the patient when a seizure is imminent. The monitor is configured to recognize a patient'"'"'s indicative potentials after preoperative EEG observation, and may include relatively simple analog circuitry to recognize simple forms, or a microprocessor and programmed memory to recognize complex forms utilizing algorithms such as the fast Fourier transform. An external program adjustment unit may also be utilized to increase or decrease the sensitivity of the monitor corresponding to the patient'"'"'s experience of insufficient or excessive warnings after implantation. Since the implanted monitor uses high power for transmission only during warnings or sensitivity adjustment, its overall consumption of power is low and it may be expected to operate without the need for replacement over a period of several years.

Claims

1. A personal epilepsy seizure warning system comprising an implantable monitor meand adaptable to detect brain potentials indicating the onset of an epileptic seizure at a predetermined sensitivity level, said monitor means further comprising means to transmit an alarm signal when said brain potentials indicating an epileptic seizure are detected, and an external warning means adapted to receive said alarm signal and notify the patient when said alarm signal is received, and further including external program transceiver means adapted to adjust said predetermined sensitivity level.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said external warning means comprises a small housing adapted to be worn by the user, said housing containing warning receiver means adapted to receive alarm signals and alarm means adapted to notify the patient when alarm signals are received.

3. A personal epilepsy seizure warning system comprising implantable monitor means adapted to detect brain potentials indicating onset of an epileptic seizure and external warning means adapted to notify a patient of onset of an epileptic seizure;

said implantable monitor means comprising sensing means adapted to detect brain potentials from at least one area of the brain, single-input filter means connected to said sensing means adapted to remove potentials due to muscular activity from said brain potentials, recognition means coupled to said filter means adapted to indicate the detection of brain potentials satisfying predetermined recognition parameters correlating to external epilepsy seizure symptoms, warning transmitter means coupled to said recognition means adapted to transmit an alarm signal when said brain potentials satisfy said recognition parameters, said recognition means being adapted to adjust said recognition parameters, said monitor means being further adapted to transmit said recognition parameters, and further comprising radio receiver means connected to said recognition means and adapted to receive an adjustment signal, and power supply means adapted to supply power to said filter means, recognition means and warning transmitter means;

said external warning means comprising warning receiver means adapted to receive alarm signals from said warning transmitter means, alarm means adapted to notify the patient when alarm signals are received by said warning receiver means, program transceiver means comprising program transmitter means adapted to transmit said adjustment signal, adjustment means adapted to allow patient control of said adjustment signal, and program receiver means to receive said recognition parameters from said monitor means, and further comprising program display means adapted to display said recognition parameters.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said external warning means additionally includes counter means adapted to count the number of alarm signals received by said external warning means.