Apparatus and method for modulating neurochemical levels in the brain
First Claim
1. A treatment for a disease in a subject, the disease characterized by low levels of a neurochemical in brain, the treatment comprising:
- providing at least one stimulus electrode implanted in a first part of brain of a subject;
providing at least one chemosensor implanted in a second part of brain of the subject;
sensing a level of a neurochemical with the chemosensor;
comparing the level of the neurochemical to a desired level of the neurochemical; and
when the level of the neurochemical is less than the desired level, providing an electrical stimulation to the stimulus electrode;
wherein the electrical stimulation is a high frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) having a pulse rate of at least 100 hertz;
wherein the HFS pulses are provided in bursts, and the bursts are automatically burst-length-modulated in response to chemosensor readings; 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.
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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
14 Claims
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1. A treatment for a disease in a subject, the disease characterized by low levels of a neurochemical in brain, the treatment comprising:
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providing at least one stimulus electrode implanted in a first part of brain of a subject; providing at least one chemosensor implanted in a second part of brain of the subject; sensing a level of a neurochemical with the chemosensor; comparing the level of the neurochemical to a desired level of the neurochemical; and when the level of the neurochemical is less than the desired level, providing an electrical stimulation to the stimulus electrode; wherein the electrical stimulation is a high frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) having a pulse rate of at least 100 hertz; wherein the HFS pulses are provided in bursts, and the bursts are automatically burst-length-modulated in response to chemosensor readings; 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A treatment for a disease in a subject, the disease characterized by low levels of a neurochemical in brain, the treatment comprising:
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providing at least one stimulus electrode implanted in a first part of brain of a subject; providing at least one chemosensor implanted in a second part of brain of the subject; sensing a level of a neurochemical with the chemosensor; comparing the level of the neurochemical to a desired level of the neurochemical; and when the level of the neurochemical is less than the desired level, providing an electrical stimulation to the stimulus electrode; wherein the electrical stimulation is a high frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) having a pulse rate of at least 100 hertz; wherein the HFS pulses are provided in bursts, and the bursts are automatically burst-length-modulated in response to chemosensor readings; and wherein the HFS pulses are provided through a first pair of electrodes when the neurochemical level is low relative to the target level and a second pair of electrodes when the neurochemical level is high. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification