Apparatus and methods for applying neural stimulation to a patient

• US 7,684,866 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2004
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fowler, Brad, Gliner, Bradford Evan
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow; Scott M
• Application Number:
  US10/910,775
• Publication Number:
  US 20050070971A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,059 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607 40- 59
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0539 Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Systems and methods for neural stimulation may include a stimulus unit; a first electrode assembly having a first set of contacts; and a second set of contacts. The stimulus unit can be an implantable pulse generator including a first terminal that can be biased at a first signal polarity and a second terminal that can be biased at a second signal polarity. The first electrode assembly includes a support member configured to be placed at the stimulation site, the first set of contacts carried by the support member, and a first lead configured to be attached to the first terminal of the implantable pulse generator for biasing the surface contacts at the first polarity. The second set of contacts is detached from the surface electrode assembly. The second set of contacts can be one or more conductive elements fixed to or forming portions of the implantable pulse generator, or a separate electrode array.

Claims

1. A system for applying electrical stimulation to a patient'"'"'s brain, comprising:

an implantable housing;

a pulse generator carried by the implantable housing, the pulse generator having a first terminal and a second terminal, the pulse generator being configured to deliver to at least one of the first and second terminals a stimulation signal having a plurality of stimulation periods with at least one of the stimulation periods having a duration of about 30 seconds or less;

at least one first electrode carried by the housing and operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second terminals; and

at least one second electrode carried by the housing and operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second terminals, wherein the housing includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the at least one first electrode is carried by the first portion of the housing so as to be positioned at a cortical stimulation site of the patient located at least approximately at or below an inner surface of the patient'"'"'s skull when the housing is implanted, and wherein the at least one second electrode is carried by the second portion of the housing so as to be positioned at least approximately at or above an outer surface of the patient'"'"'s skull and beneath the patient'"'"'s scalp when the housing is implanted.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the pulse generator is configured to deliver the stimulation signal with at least one of the stimulation periods having a duration of about 10 seconds or less.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the pulse generator is configured to deliver the stimulation signal with at least one of the stimulation periods having a duration of about one second or less.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the pulse generator is configured to deliver the stimulation signal with at least one of the stimulation periods having a duration of less than one second.