Method and apparatus for treating neurodegenerative disorders by electrical brain stimulation
First Claim
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1. A method of therapeutically treating a neurodegenerative disorder by means of a signal generator and an implantable electrode having a proximal end and a stimulation portion comprising the steps of:
- surgically implanting said electrode in a brain of a patient so that the stimulation portion lies in communication with a predetermined treatment site in the brain, said predetermined treatment site being selected from the group consisting of the ventrolateral thalamus (Thal), internal segment of globus pallidus (GPi), substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), striatopallidal fiber pathway, neostriatum, external segment of globus pallidus (Gpe), and external segment of globus pallidus to subthalamic nucleus fiber pathway;
coupling said proximal end of said electrode to said signal generator; and
operating said signal generator to stimulate said predetermined treatment site in the brain,whereby the effects of said neurodegenerative disorder are reduced.
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Abstract
Techniques for stimulating the brain to reduce the effects of neurodegenerative disorders by means of an implantable signal generator and electrode. A sensor is used to detect the symptoms resulting from the disorder. A microprocessor algorithm analyzes the output from the sensor in order to regulate the stimulation delivered to the brain.
368 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of therapeutically treating a neurodegenerative disorder by means of a signal generator and an implantable electrode having a proximal end and a stimulation portion comprising the steps of:
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surgically implanting said electrode in a brain of a patient so that the stimulation portion lies in communication with a predetermined treatment site in the brain, said predetermined treatment site being selected from the group consisting of the ventrolateral thalamus (Thal), internal segment of globus pallidus (GPi), substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), striatopallidal fiber pathway, neostriatum, external segment of globus pallidus (Gpe), and external segment of globus pallidus to subthalamic nucleus fiber pathway; coupling said proximal end of said electrode to said signal generator; and operating said signal generator to stimulate said predetermined treatment site in the brain, whereby the effects of said neurodegenerative disorder are reduced. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of treating a netrodegenerative disorder characterized by hyperexcitation comprising in combination:
- implanting a signal generator in a body of a patient;
implanting at least one electrode in a brain within said body so that a stimulation portion of said at least one electrode lies in communication with at least one predetermined treatment site in said brain, said at least one predetermined treatment site being selected from group consisting of the ventrolateral thalamus (Thal), internal segment of globus pallidus (GPi), substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), striatopallidal fiber pathway, neostriatum, external segment of globus pallidus (Gpe), and external segment of globus pallidus to subthalamic nucleus fiber pathway; coupling said at least one electrode to said signal generator; stimulating said at least one predetermined treatment site in said brain using said at least one electrode; generating a sensor signal related to the extent of hyperexcitation exhibited by a portion of said brain; and regulating said step of stimulating in response to said sensor signal, whereby stimulation is increased in response to an increase in hyperexcitation of said brain, and is decreased in response to a decrease in hyperexcitation of said brain. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- implanting a signal generator in a body of a patient;
Specification