Implantable seizure monitor

• US 8,140,150 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2010
• Issued: 03/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neuropace Inc.
• Original Assignee: Neuropace Inc.
• Inventors: Greene, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Mallari, Patricia
• Assistant Examiner(s): D'Angelo, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/770,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20100210964A1
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 600/544, 600/300, 607/48
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4094 Diagnosing or monitoring seizure diseases, e.g. epilepsy

Abstract

An implantable seizure monitor can include at least one sensing electrode and an electronics module configured to detect, record and/or log neurological events. For example, the electronics module can be configured to detect brainwaves indicative of seizures, such as, for example, epileptic seizures, and to create a log indicating when such seizures occur. The implantable seizure monitor can include a cushioning member made of a soft material and configured to be implantable between the epidermis and cranium of a patient.

Claims

1. An implantable device for detecting and recording neurological events, the device comprising:

a housing fully enclosing an electronic module configured to process sensed neurological activity, to identify certain predetermined neurological activity as detected events, and to record the detected events;

at least two connectors attached to and extending from the housing, each of the at least two connectors in operable communication with the electronic module;

a first sensor coupled to one of the at least two connectors;

a second sensor coupled to one of the at least two connectors; and

a cushioning member in which the housing, the at least two connectors and the first and second sensors are suspended, wherein at least one surface of each of the first sensor and the second sensor is not covered by any portion of the cushioning member and is configured to be exposed to a body surface of the patient.

2. The implantable device of claim 1 wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are coupled to the same at least one connector via a lead.

3. The implantable device of claim 1 wherein the body surface is one of the patient'"'"'s cranium, galea or dura.

4. The implantable device of claim 1 wherein the body surface is the patient'"'"'s cranium.

5. The implantable device of claim 1 wherein the first sensor is coupled to a different one of the at least two connectors than is the second sensor.

6. The implantable device of claim 5 further comprising a first lead coupling the first sensor to one of the at least two connectors and a second lead coupling the second sensor to a different one of the at least one connectors.

7. The implantable device of claim 6 wherein the first and second leads are suspended in the cushioning member except for a distal portion of each of the first and second leads, the first and second sensors being coupled to the distal portion of the first and second leads, respectively.