Adaptive electric field modulation of neural systems
First Claim
1. A field-producing device for modulating an electrical activity of a neural system comprising neurons, comprising:
- (a) at least one field electrode for applying an electric field to a the neural system;
(b) field application electronics for generating the electric field, which is operably connected to (a) the at least one field electrode;
(c) at least one measuring electrode for monitoring the electrical activity of the neural system;
(d) measurement electronics for recording the electrical activity of the neural system, which is operably connected to (c), the at least one measuring electrode;
(e) feedback controller electronics for determining the amount of the electric field to apply to the neural system to modulate the electrical activity of neurons in the neural system, and for continuously changing the magnitude and polarity of the applied electric field in response to changes in the electrical activity measured by (c) the at least one measuring electrode, wherein the feedback controller is operably connected to (b) the field application electronics and (c) the at least one measuring electrode.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to devices and methods of modifying the neuronal activity of a neural system comprising neurons, comprising, one or more of the following steps, measuring the neuronal activity of a neural system; and applying an oriented electric field to said neural system effective to modify the neuronal activity of the neural system, wherein the magnitude and polarity of said applied electric field is changed in response to the measured neuronal activity. The present invention also relates to devices and methods for treating brain disorders, such as epilepsy and Parkinson'"'"'s disease, comprising, one or more of the following steps, applying a sub-threshold and oriented electric field in situ to the brain of a patient having such a disorder in an amount effective to reduce the abnormal activity of the brain, wherein the electric field is applied through field electrodes in contact with the brain. The present invention also relates to methods and devices for restoring or repairing a brain function, such as sensation (e.g., taste, or smell), somatic activity, auditory activity, visual activity, or motor activity. It can also be used for testing drugs, pharmacological agents, and other modulators of neuronal function.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A field-producing device for modulating an electrical activity of a neural system comprising neurons, comprising:
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(a) at least one field electrode for applying an electric field to a the neural system;
(b) field application electronics for generating the electric field, which is operably connected to (a) the at least one field electrode;
(c) at least one measuring electrode for monitoring the electrical activity of the neural system;
(d) measurement electronics for recording the electrical activity of the neural system, which is operably connected to (c), the at least one measuring electrode;
(e) feedback controller electronics for determining the amount of the electric field to apply to the neural system to modulate the electrical activity of neurons in the neural system, and for continuously changing the magnitude and polarity of the applied electric field in response to changes in the electrical activity measured by (c) the at least one measuring electrode, wherein the feedback controller is operably connected to (b) the field application electronics and (c) the at least one measuring electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A field-producing device for modulating an electrical activity of a neural system comprising neurons, comprising:
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(a) at least one field electrode for applying an electric field to the neural system;
(b) field application electronics for generating the electric field, which is operably connected to (a) the at least one field electrode;
(c) at least one measuring electrode for monitoring the electrical activity of the neural system;
(d) measurement electronics for recording the electrical activity of the neural system, which is operably connected to (c), the at least one measuring electrode;
(e) feedback controller electronics for determining the amount of the electric field to apply to the neural system to modulate the electrical activity of neurons in the neural system, and for continuously changing the magnitude and polarity of the applied electric field in response to changes in the electrical activity measured by (c) the at least one measuring electrode, wherein the feedback controller is operably connected to (b) the field application electronics and to (c) the at least one measuring electrode, and wherein (e) the feedback controller electronics further comprises a computer comprising an algorithm for determining the amount of the electric field to apply to the neural system to modulate the electrical activity of neurons in the neural system. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A field-producing device for modulating an electrical activity of a neural system comprising neurons, comprising:
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(a) at least one field electrode for applying an electric field to the neural system;
(b) field application electronics for generating the electric field, which is operably connected to (a) the at least one field electrode;
(c) at least one measuring electrode for monitoring the electrical activity of the neural system;
(d) measurement electronics for recording the electrical activity of the neural system, which is operably connected to (c), the at least one measuring electrode;
(e) feedback controller electronics for determining the amount of the electric field to apply to the neural system to modulate the electrical activity of neurons in the neural system, and for continuously changing the magnitude and polarity of the applied electrical field in response to changes in the electrical activity measured by (c) the at least one measuring electrode, wherein the feedback controller is operably connected to (b) the field application electronics and to (c) the at least one measuring electrode, and wherein (e) the feedback controller electronics further comprises an algorithm for determining the amount of the electric field to apply to the neural system to modulate the electrical activity of neurons in the neural system. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A field-producing device of claim wherein (g) the sensing electronics is further operably connected to (b) the field application electronics.
Specification