Hybrid neuroprosthesis for the treatment of brain disorders
First Claim
1. An apparatus for the treatment of brain disorders in a subject, the apparatus comprising:
- a drug delivery means implanted in the subject for delivering at least one drug solution to the brain of the subject;
a drug driving means for delivering the at least one drug solution to the drug delivery means;
a recording electrode implanted in the brain for outputting a first electrical signal characteristic of an electrical activity of the brain;
a neurochemical sensor for detecting neurochemical signals of the brain and converting the neurochemical signals to a second electrical signal; and
a microcontroller controlling the drug driving means on the basis of the first and second electrical signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A miniature apparatus for the treatment of brain disorders is provided which is a combination of electronic and pharmacological devices placed and powered entirely within the human body. The apparatus is based on the dual, electrical—molecular, nature of intercellular communication in the brain. The hybrid neuroprosthesis monitors the electrical activity of a dysfunctioning brain area, analyzes the incoming electrical signals, and delivers drug molecules into the dysfunctioning area to correct its function. The apparatus delivers drugs into the brain in such a way that the timing and duration of the drug deliveries are determined by the brain'"'"'s own electrical activity. The hybrid neuroprosthesis includes (a) an electrophysiological recording electrode implanted in a dysfunctioning brain site, (b) a miniature electrical signal conditioner to amplify, filter and digitize the incoming electrophysiological signals, (c) a cannula or catheter implanted in the dysfunctioning brain site, (d) a miniature, refillable pump for driving drug solutions through the cannula or catheter, (e) a microcontroller which analyzes on-line the digitized electrophysiological signals and either activates or inactivates the pump on the basis of the analyzed electrophysiological data, (f) a miniature radiotelemetry system which provides data transfer between the apparatus and the outside world, and (g) a rechargeable power supply to power the components of the apparatus. The recording electrode can be complemented with a neurochemical sensor to transmit not only electrophysiological but also neurochemical information from the dysfunctioning brain area to the microcontroller. The components of the apparatus are encapsulated in medical grade silicon.
65 Citations
45 Claims
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1. An apparatus for the treatment of brain disorders in a subject, the apparatus comprising:
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a drug delivery means implanted in the subject for delivering at least one drug solution to the brain of the subject;
a drug driving means for delivering the at least one drug solution to the drug delivery means;
a recording electrode implanted in the brain for outputting a first electrical signal characteristic of an electrical activity of the brain;
a neurochemical sensor for detecting neurochemical signals of the brain and converting the neurochemical signals to a second electrical signal; and
a microcontroller controlling the drug driving means on the basis of the first and second electrical signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for treating brain disorders in a subject, the method comprising the steps of:
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implanting a drug delivery means in the subject for delivering at least one drug solution to the brain of the subject;
subcutaneously disposing a drug driving means in the subject for delivering the at least one drug solution to the drug delivery means;
implanting a recording electrode in the brain of the subject for outputting a first electrical signal characteristic of an electrical activity of the brain;
implanting a neurochemical sensor in the brain for detecting neurochemical signals of the brain and converting the neurochemical signals to a second electrical signal;
subcutaneously disposing a microcontroller in the subject; and
controlling the drug driving means on the basis of the first and second electrical signals to deliver the at least one drug solution to the brain of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification