Stereotactic hypothalamic obesity probe
First Claim
1. A stimulation trials hypothalamic obesity probe for stereotactic placement in the hypothalamus of a patient, comprising:
- at least one electrode support shaft configured to be implanted within a hypothalamus of a patient, each at least one electrode support shaft having a plurality of stimulation electrodes, each of said plurality of stimulation electrodes capable of independently outputting electrical discharges to the patient'"'"'s hypothalamus; and
a macrocatheter for housing said at least one electrode support shaft, said macrocatheter including a magnetic positioning unit located at a distal end of the macrocatheter and configured to allow the macrocatheter to be positioned to a location adjacent to the patient'"'"'s hypothalamus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for regulating the appetite of an individual suffering from morbid obesity, the apparatus including a plurality of stimulation electrodes arranged longitudinally on at least one electrode support shaft for insertion within the hypothalamus for outputting electrical discharges to specific sites within the hypothalamus. Each of the plurality of stimulation electrodes may be independently controlled. Electrical discharge of various frequencies transmitted from one or more of the plurality of stimulation electrodes, and delivered to a region of the hypothalamus that is involved with either stimulating or inhibiting appetite, may be used to regulate appetite in the individual. Alternatively, an individual'"'"'s appetite may be regulated by the microinfusion from at least one microinfusion catheter of an appropriate quantity of a suitable drug to a distinct site or region within the hypothalamus.
422 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A stimulation trials hypothalamic obesity probe for stereotactic placement in the hypothalamus of a patient, comprising:
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at least one electrode support shaft configured to be implanted within a hypothalamus of a patient, each at least one electrode support shaft having a plurality of stimulation electrodes, each of said plurality of stimulation electrodes capable of independently outputting electrical discharges to the patient'"'"'s hypothalamus; and a macrocatheter for housing said at least one electrode support shaft, said macrocatheter including a magnetic positioning unit located at a distal end of the macrocatheter and configured to allow the macrocatheter to be positioned to a location adjacent to the patient'"'"'s hypothalamus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A hypothalamic obesity probe comprising:
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a plurality of rigid electrode support shafts configured to be implanted in a patient'"'"'s hypothalamus wherein a plurality of electrodes are formed on each electrode support shaft, and wherein each of the plurality of electrodes is configured to non-destructively stimulate neurons of a patient'"'"'s hypothalamus; and a macrocatheter configured to house the plurality support shafts and to guide the plurality of electrode support shafts to a location adjacent a patient'"'"'s hypothalamus so that the plurality of electrode support shafts can be implanted into the patient'"'"'s hypothalamus. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A hypothalamic obesity probe, comprising:
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a plurality of electrode support shafts configured to be inserted into a patient'"'"'s hypothalamus, wherein each electrode support shaft includes a plurality of electrodes arranged along a length of the support shaft, wherein each electrode support shaft is sufficiently rigid that it can be pushed into the patient'"'"'s brain tissue without the use of a supplemental support; and a macrocatheter configured to house the plurality of electrode support shafts while the electrode support shafts are positioned adjacent a selected portion of the patient'"'"'s brain. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification