Insertion of medical devices through non-orthogonal and orthogonal trajectories within the cranium and methods of using
First Claim
1. A method of brain stimulation of a patient, the method comprising:
- inserting a first device having a first housing into a skull at an entry site along a first angle that is orthogonal or non-orthogonal with an outer surface of the skull such that at least a substantial portion of the first housing remains inserted within a thickness of the skull, wherein the first housing of the first device has a length longer than a thickness of the skull and is inserted into the skull without penetrating into the brain, wherein the first device carries a first component;
inserting a second device having a second housing into the skull at the entry site along a second angle that is orthogonal or non-orthogonal with the outer surface of the skull such that at least a substantial portion of the second housing remains inserted within the thickness of the skull, wherein the second housing of the second device has a length longer than the thickness of the skull and is inserted into the skull without penetrating into the brain, the second angle different from the first angle, wherein the second device carries a second component, and wherein at least one of the first and second components comprises a stimulation electrode; and
stimulating the brain using at least one of the first and second components.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An elongated device adapted for insertion, including self-insertion, through the body, especially the skull is disclosed. The device has at least one effector or sensor and is configured to permit implantation of multiple functional components through a single entry site into the skull by directing the components at different angles. The device may be used to provide electrical, magnetic, and other stimulation therapy to a patient'"'"'s brain. The lengths of the effectors, sensors, and other components may completely traverse skull thickness (at a diagonal angle) to barely protrude through to the brain'"'"'s cortex. The components may directly contact the brain'"'"'s cortex, but from there their signals can be directed to targets deeper within the brain. Effector lengths are directly proportional to their battery size and ability to store charge. Therefore, longer angled electrode effectors not limited by skull thickness permit longer-lasting batteries which expand treatment options.
132 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method of brain stimulation of a patient, the method comprising:
-
inserting a first device having a first housing into a skull at an entry site along a first angle that is orthogonal or non-orthogonal with an outer surface of the skull such that at least a substantial portion of the first housing remains inserted within a thickness of the skull, wherein the first housing of the first device has a length longer than a thickness of the skull and is inserted into the skull without penetrating into the brain, wherein the first device carries a first component; inserting a second device having a second housing into the skull at the entry site along a second angle that is orthogonal or non-orthogonal with the outer surface of the skull such that at least a substantial portion of the second housing remains inserted within the thickness of the skull, wherein the second housing of the second device has a length longer than the thickness of the skull and is inserted into the skull without penetrating into the brain, the second angle different from the first angle, wherein the second device carries a second component, and wherein at least one of the first and second components comprises a stimulation electrode; and stimulating the brain using at least one of the first and second components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method of brain stimulation of a patient, the method comprising:
-
making a first hole in the skull at an entry site, wherein the first hole is made along a first angle that is non-orthogonal with an outer surface of the skull; inserting a first device having a first housing into the first hole such that the first housing remains implanted at least substantially within a thickness of the skull, wherein the first housing of the first device has a length longer than a thickness of the skull and is inserted into the skull without penetrating into the brain, and wherein the first device carries a first component in the first housing; making a second hole in the skull at the entry site, wherein the second hole is made along a second angle that is non-orthogonal with an outer surface of the skull, wherein the second angle is different than the first angle; inserting a second device having a second housing into the second hole such that the second housing remains implanted at least substantially within a thickness of the skull, wherein the second housing of the second device has a length longer than the thickness of the skull and is inserted into the skull without penetrating into the brain, and wherein the second device carries a second component in the second housing; and stimulating the brain using at least one of the first and second components.
-
Specification