Method and apparatus for treating neurodegenerative disorders by electrical brain stimulation
First Claim
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1. A system for treating a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by hyperexcitation of a portion of a brain comprising in combination:
- an implantable signal generator for providing stimulation pulses;
an implantable electrode having a proximal end coupled to said signal generator and a stimulation portion adapted to stimulate a predetermined site in a brain;
a sensor for transmitting a signal related to the excitation of the portion of the brain exhibiting hyperexcitation; and
a microprocessor responsive to said sensor signal for regulating at least one parameter of said stimulation by said implantable electrode, said at least one parameter being selected from the group consisting of pulse width, pulse frequency, and pulse amplitude.
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Abstract
Techniques for stimulating the brain to reduce the effects of neurodegenerative disorders by 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.
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18 Claims
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1. A system for treating a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by hyperexcitation of a portion of a brain comprising in combination:
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an implantable signal generator for providing stimulation pulses; an implantable electrode having a proximal end coupled to said signal generator and a stimulation portion adapted to stimulate a predetermined site in a brain; a sensor for transmitting a signal related to the excitation of the portion of the brain exhibiting hyperexcitation; and a microprocessor responsive to said sensor signal for regulating at least one parameter of said stimulation by said implantable electrode, said at least one parameter being selected from the group consisting of pulse width, pulse frequency, and pulse amplitude. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of treating a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by hyperexcitation comprising in combination:
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implanting a signal generator in a body of a patient; implanting at least one electrode to be in communication with at least one predetermined site in the brain of said body; coupling said at least one electrode to said signal generator; pulse stimulating said at least one predetermined site in said brain of said body using said at least one electrode; implanting a sensor in said body for generating a sensor signal related to the extent of hyperexcitation exhibited by a portion of said brain; and regulating at least one parameter of said step of stimulating in response to said sensor signal, said at least one parameter being selected from the group consisting of pulse width, pulse frequency, and pulse amplitude. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of treating a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by hyperexcitation comprising in combination:
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implanting at least one electrode to be in communication with at least one predetermined site in the brain of said body; coupling said at least one electrode to a signal generator; pulse stimulating said at least one predetermined site in said brain of said body 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 at least one parameter of said step of stimulating in response to said sensor signal, said at least one parameter being selected from the group consisting of pulse width, pulse frequency, and pulse amplitude. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification