Apparatus and method for modulating neurochemical levels in the brain
First Claim
1. A deep brain stimulator device comprising:
- an implantable chemosensor selected from the group consisting of a dopamine-sensitive chemosensor and a glutamate sensitive chemosensor;
an implantable stimulus electrode for electrical stimulation to a brain;
a programmable feedback controller coupled to the chemosensor and the implantable stimulus electrode;
wherein the feedback controller reads the chemosensor and provides a sequence of high frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) pulses through the stimulus electrode such that a greater number of HFS pulses are provided when levels of a neurochemical measured with the chemosensor are less than a programmed level than a number of HFS pulses provided when levels of the neurochemical measured with the chemosensor are greater than the programmed level;
wherein the chemosensor and the stimulus electrode are adapted for implantation in separate neurological structures of the brain;
wherein the HFS comprises electrical pulses at a rate of between one hundred and one hundred eighty pulses per second and of width between ten and twenty-five microseconds; and
wherein the HFS pulses have a selected pulse parameter selected from the group consisting of voltage or current, and wherein an amplitude of the selected pulse parameter is inversely proportional to the neurochemical level as measured by the chemosensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A treatment for Parkinson'"'"'s Disease uses a stimulus electrode implanted in a subthalamic nucleus with a chemosensor implanted in a globus pallidus pars interna (GPi) of the subject. A level of a neurochemical is sensed with the chemosensor, and compared to a desired level. When the level of the neurochemical is less than desired, an electrical stimulation is provided to the stimulus electrode. In alternative embodiments, the neurochemical sensed is glutamate or dopamine. An alternative system uses a chemosensor implanted in the striatum instead of the GPi. An alternative system for treating benign essential tremor uses a stimulus electrode implanted in the thalamus with feedback taken from a chemosensor in the striatum.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A deep brain stimulator device comprising:
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an implantable chemosensor selected from the group consisting of a dopamine-sensitive chemosensor and a glutamate sensitive chemosensor; an implantable stimulus electrode for electrical stimulation to a brain; a programmable feedback controller coupled to the chemosensor and the implantable stimulus electrode; wherein the feedback controller reads the chemosensor and provides a sequence of high frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) pulses through the stimulus electrode such that a greater number of HFS pulses are provided when levels of a neurochemical measured with the chemosensor are less than a programmed level than a number of HFS pulses provided when levels of the neurochemical measured with the chemosensor are greater than the programmed level; wherein the chemosensor and the stimulus electrode are adapted for implantation in separate neurological structures of the brain; wherein the HFS comprises electrical pulses at a rate of between one hundred and one hundred eighty pulses per second and of width between ten and twenty-five microseconds; and wherein the HFS pulses have a selected pulse parameter selected from the group consisting of voltage or current, and wherein an amplitude of the selected pulse parameter is inversely proportional to the neurochemical level as measured by the chemosensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification