Methods and apparatus for effectuating a change in a neural-function of a patient
First Claim
1. A method of effectuating a neural-function in a patient, comprising:
- selecting a stimulation site at the cortex of the patient where a change in an intrinsic, patient-specific neural-activity is suspected of occurring to carry out a particular physical function and/or cognitive function of the patient, wherein the intrinsic neural activity arises in association with a naturally occurring physiological process that facilitates at least partial functional recovery following neurologic damage;
positioning an electrode at the selected stimulation site; and
applying an electrical signal to the stimulation site via the electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for intracranial electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. Several embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention are directed toward enhancing or otherwise inducing a lasting change in neural activity to effectuate a particular neural-function. Such lasting change in neural activity is defined as “neuroplasticity.” The methods in accordance with the invention can be used to treat brain damage (e.g., stroke, trauma, etc.), brain disease (e.g., Alzheimer'"'"'s, Pick'"'"'s, Parkinson'"'"'s, etc.), and/or brain disorders (e.g., epilepsy, depression, etc.). The methods in accordance with the invention can also be used to enhance neural-function of normal, healthy brains (e.g., learning, memory, etc.), or to control sensory functions (e.g., pain). Certain embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention electrically stimulate the brain at a stimulation site where neuroplasticity is occurring. The stimulation site may be different than the region in the brain where neural activity is typically present to perform the particular neural function according to the functional organization of the brain. In one embodiment in which neuroplasticity related to the neural-function occurs in the brain, the method can include identifying the location where such neuroplasticity is present. In an alternative embodiment in which neuroplasticity is not occurring in the brain, an alternative aspect is to induce neuroplasticity at a stimulation site where it is expected to occur. Several embodiments of these methods that are expected to produce a lasting effect on the intended neural activity at the stimulation site use electrical pulses that increase the resting membrane potential of neurons at the stimulation site to a subthreshold level.
399 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of effectuating a neural-function in a patient, comprising:
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selecting a stimulation site at the cortex of the patient where a change in an intrinsic, patient-specific neural-activity is suspected of occurring to carry out a particular physical function and/or cognitive function of the patient, wherein the intrinsic neural activity arises in association with a naturally occurring physiological process that facilitates at least partial functional recovery following neurologic damage; positioning an electrode at the selected stimulation site; and applying an electrical signal to the stimulation site via the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 24, 25, 26)
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10. A method of effectuating a neural-function in a patient, comprising:
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selecting a stimulation site comprising a region of the cortex of the patient where a change in an intrinsic, patient-specific neural-activity is expected to occur to carry out a function of the patient, wherein the intrinsic neural activity arises in association with a naturally occurring physiological process that facilitates at least partial functional recovery following neurologic damage; applying an electrical stimulation directly to the stimulation site using an electrode implanted in the patient at a location proximate to the cortex of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of effectuating a neural-function in a patient, comprising:
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selecting a stimulation site at the cortex of the patient where a change in an intrinsic, patient-specific neural-activity is suspected of occurring to carry out a particular physical function and/or cognitive function of the patient; positioning an electrode at the selected stimulation site; and applying an electrical signal to the stimulation site via the electrode, wherein the electrical signal is applied at a level below a level at which the neural-function is consistently triggered in response to the electrical signal itself.
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20. A method of effectuating a neural-function in a patient, comprising:
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exposing the patient to a peripheral stimulus expected to trigger a neural function; selecting a stimulation site at the cortex of the patient where a change in an intrinsic, patient-specific neural-activity is suspected of occurring to carry out a particular physical function and/or cognitive function of the patient; positioning an electrode at the selected stimulation site; and applying an electrical signal to the stimulation site via the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification