Tissue stimulation models, systems, devices, and methods

• US 7,860,548 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2008
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Original Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Inventors: Butson, Christopher R., McIntyre, Cameron C., Henderson, Jaimie M., Hall, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEHTA, PARIKHA SOLANKI
• Application Number:
  US12/008,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20080114233A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 600/407, 600/408, 600/416, 600/377, 600/378, 600/544, 607/2, 607/45, 607/115, 607/116, 607/148, 382/128, 382/131, 703/2
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/364 Correlation of different images or relation of image positions in respect to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/37 Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36135 using physiological parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36146 specified by the stimulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders

Abstract

This document discusses brain stimulation models, systems, devices, and methods, such as for deep brain stimulation (DBS) or other electrical stimulation. A model computes a volume of influence region for a simulated electrical stimulation using certain stimulation parameters, such as electrode contact selection or location. The model uses a non-uniform tissue conductivity. This accurately represents brain tissue, which has highly directionally conductive neuron pathways yielding a non-homogeneous and anisotropic tissue medium. In one example, a second difference of an electric potential distribution is used to define a volume of activation (VOA) or similar volume of influence. In another example, a neuron or axon model is used to calculate the volume of influence without computing the second difference of the electric potential distribution.

Claims

1. A computer-assisted method comprising:

displaying volumetric imaging data on a display representing an anatomic volume of tissue of a patient;

displaying an indication of a first electrode location of an electrode that has been guided into the anatomic volume;

using a computer model in calculating a volume of influence; and

displaying the calculated volume of influence;

wherein;

the volume of influence includes a predicted volume of tissue affected by an electrical stimulation delivered by the first electrode; and

calculating the volume of influence includes calculating a second difference of a potential distribution to represent the volume of influence.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying the volumetric imaging data includes displaying an indication of an anatomic entry target location, and displaying an indication of a trajectory between the indication of the anatomic entry target location and the indication of the first electrode location.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an indication of a second electrode location different than the indication of the first electrode location;

recalculating the volume of influence based on the second location; and

displaying the recalculated volume of influence.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the anatomic volume is of a brain of the patient.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the anatomic volume includes a subthalamic nucleus of the patient.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is used to treat Parkinson'"'"'s Disease.

7. A non-transitory machine-accessible medium comprising instructions for:

displaying volumetric imaging data representing an anatomic volume of tissue of a patient;

receiving location information about an electrode that has been guided into the anatomic volume represented by the imaging data;

displaying an indication of a first electrode location of the electrode in the anatomic volume;

using a computer model in calculating a volume of influence; and

displaying the calculated volume of influence;

wherein;

the volume of influence includes a predicted volume of tissue affected by an electrical stimulation delivered by the first electrode; and

calculating the volume of influence includes calculating a second difference of a potential distribution to represent the volume of influence.

8. The machine-accessible medium of claim 7, wherein the displaying the volumetric imaging data includes displaying an indication of a trajectory between the indication of the anatomic entry target location and the indication of the first electrode location.

9. The machine-accessible medium of claim 7, further comprising instructions for:

recalculating the volume of influence at a second electrode location that is different from the first electrode location; and

displaying the recalculated volume of influence.

10. The machine-accessible medium of claim 7, wherein the anatomic volume is of a brain of the patient.

11. The machine-accessible medium of claim 10, wherein the anatomic volume includes a subthalamic nucleus of the patient.

12. A system comprising:

an imaging data storage circuit configured to store volumetric imaging data representing an anatomic volume of tissue of a patient;

an electrode position interface circuit configured to receive information about an indication of an electrode location of an electrode that has been inserted into the anatomic volume;

a processor circuit, coupled to the imaging data storage circuit and the electrode position interface circuit, the processor circuit producing a computer model configured for calculating a volume of influence; and

a display coupled to the processor circuit, the display configured to display the indication of the electrode location and the calculated volume of influence;

wherein;

the volume of influence includes a predicted volume of tissue affected by electrical stimulation delivered by the electrode; and

calculating the volume of influence includes calculating a second difference of a potential distribution to represent the volume of influence.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the display is also configured to display an indication of a trajectory between an indication of an anatomic entry target location and the indication of the electrode location.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor circuit is operable to recalculate the volume of influence if the electrode is moved from the electrode location to a different electrode location;

and

the display is operable to display the recalculated volume of influence.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the anatomic volume is of a brain of the patient.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the anatomic volume includes a subthalamic nucleus of the patient.