Methods and apparatus for deep brain stimulation
First Claim
1. A method for treating a nerve disorder in a patient, comprising:
- introducing an electrode into a sinus cavity of the patient by advancing an expandable enclosure into the sinus cavity, wherein the electrode is housed within the expandable enclosure; and
applying an electrical impulse through the electrode to a target region in the patient'"'"'s brain, the electrical impulse being sufficient to modulate one or more nerves in the target region to treat the nerve disorder.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for treating nerve disorders in the brain. An electrode is introduced into a patient'"'"'s sinus cavity and an electrical impulse is applied to the electrode to modulate one or more target nerves in the brain to treat the disorder. In preferred embodiments, the electrode is positioned within a sinus cavity adjacent to or near the frontal cortex of the brain and the electrical signal is sufficient to modulate, stimulate and/or inhibit nerves within the frontal cortex. The electrode may be movable between a collapsed or compact configuration for introduction into the sinus cavity and an expanded configuration for contacting tissue within the sinus cavity to deliver the electrical impulse through the tissue to the target nerves in the brain.
33 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for treating a nerve disorder in a patient, comprising:
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introducing an electrode into a sinus cavity of the patient by advancing an expandable enclosure into the sinus cavity, wherein the electrode is housed within the expandable enclosure; and applying an electrical impulse through the electrode to a target region in the patient'"'"'s brain, the electrical impulse being sufficient to modulate one or more nerves in the target region to treat the nerve disorder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for treating a nerve disorder comprising:
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an electrode; an introducer coupled to the electrode and configured for advancing the electrode into a sinus cavity adjacent to or near a target region in a brain of the patient; a source of electrical energy coupled to the electrode and configured for applying an electrical impulse through the electrode to the target region, the electrical impulse being sufficient to modulate one or more nerves in the target region to treat the nerve disorder; and an enclosure coupled to the source of electrical energy and the introducer, the enclosure having an outer wall surrounding an interior, the outer wall having at least one section that is formed from an electrically-permeable material. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification