Method and system for providing pulsed electrical stimulation to a craniel nerve of a patient to provide therapy for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders

• US 20050143786A1
• Filed: 05/11/2003
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neuro and Cardiac Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Neuro and Cardiac Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Boveja, Birinder R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,191,012 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0526 Head electrodes A61N1/0551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36053 adapted for vagal stimulation A61N1/36114 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling

Abstract

A method and system for providing electrical pulses for neuromodulating a cranial nerve of a patient utilizing an implantable stimulator. The implantable stimulator comprising a pulse generator module and a stimulus receiver module for coupling with an external stimulator. Control circuitry ensures selective operation of one pulse generator module. The external stimulator comprises a telemetry module for remotely activating (or de-activating) programs over the internet, to arrive at the optimal program for each patient. Once the optimal “dose” is titrated using the external stimulator, the implanted pulse generator can then be programmed to such parameters. The external stimulator in conjunction with the implanted stimulus receiver can override the implanted pulse generator, to provide extra dose of therapy or to conserve the implanted battery. The external stimulator is also networked to other computers. The external programmer may also comprise a global positioning system (GPS) module for determining patient location.

Claims

1. A method to provide electrical pulses to a cranial nerve of a patient for providing therapy for at least one of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, comprising the steps of:

a) providing an implanted stimulator, wherein said implanted stimulator comprises a pulse generator module and a stimulus receiver module;

b) providing an external stimulator for inductively coupling to said stimulus receiver module;

c) providing circuitry means for selectively operating one of said implanted pulse generator module and said stimulus receiver module; and

d) providing an implanted lead in electrical contact with said implanted stimulator, and at least one electrode in contact with said cranial nerve,

whereby electric pulses are provided to said cranial nerve.

2. Method of claim 1, wherein said cranial nerve is a vagus nerve.

3. Method of claim 1, wherein said neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders further comprises partial complex epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, involuntary movement disorders caused by Parkinson'"'"'s disease, migraines, neurogenic pain, depression, Alzheimer'"'"'s disease, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and the like.

4. Method of claim 1, wherein said implanted stimulator is programmed with an external programmer.

5. Method of claim 1, wherein said external stimulator comprising telemetry means for remotely controlling said external stimulator.

6. Method of claim 1, wherein said external stimulator comprises means for networking with remote computers.

7. Method of claim 4, wherein said external stimulator further comprises a global positioning system (GPS) module for determining patient location.

8. Method of claim 1, wherein said external stimulator can be utilized to determine dose of electrical stimulation provided to said cranial nerve.

9. Method of claim 1, wherein said implanted pulse generator further comprises rechargeable power source, and is capable of being recharged via an external power source.

10. A method to provide therapy for central nervous system disorders using pulsed electrical stimulation to a cranial nerve of a patient, comprising the steps of:

a) providing an implanted stimulator;

wherein said implanted stimulator comprises a pulse generator module and a stimulus receiver module;

b) providing an external stimulator with adjustable programs of stimulation, for inductively coupling to said implanted stimulus receiver;

c) providing a lead in electrical contact with said implantable stimulator, and at least one electrode in contact with said cranial nerve;

d) determining suitable stimulation program for said patient, using said external stimulator; and

e) programming said implanted stimulator with said suitable stimulation program using an external programming means,

whereby said pulsed electrical stimulation is delivered to said cranial nerve.

11. Method of claim 10, wherein said cranial nerve is a vagus nerve.

12. Method of claim 10, wherein said implanted stimulator further comprises a circuitry means for selectively operating one of said stimulus receiver module and said pulse generator module.

13. Method of claim 10, wherein said external stimulator comprising telemetry means for remotely controlling said external stimulator.

14. Method of claim 10, wherein said external stimulator is networked with remote computers.

15. Method of claim 10, wherein said external programming means comprises a global positioning system (GPS) means for determining patient location.

16. Method of claim 10, wherein said implanted pulse generator module further comprises rechargeable power source.

17. A system comprising implantable and external components for providing pulsed electrical stimulation to a cranial nerve of a patient, to provide therapy for one of neurological, neuropsychiatric disorders, comprising:

a) an implantable stimulator, wherein said implanted stimulator comprising a pulse generator module and a stimulus receiver module;

b) an external stimulator for inductively coupling to said stimulus receiver;

c) circuitry means to selectively operate one of said implanted pulse generator module and said stimulus receiver module; and

d) an implanted lead with at least one electrode in contact with said cranial nerve;

whereby said pulsed electrical stimulation is provided to said cranial nerve.

18. System of claim 17, wherein said cranial nerve is a vagus nerve.

19. System of claim 17, wherein said neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders further comprises partial complex epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, involuntary movement disorders caused by Parkinson'"'"'s disease, or like, migraines, neurogenic pain, depression, Alzheimer'"'"'s disease, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and the like.

20. System of claim 17, wherein said external stimulator comprises telemetry module for remotely controlling said external stimulator.

21. System of claim 20, wherein said remote control is over the internet.

22. System of claim 17, wherein said external stimulator is networked with remote computers.

23. System of claim 17, wherein said external stimulator comprises a global positioning system (GPS) module for patient location.

24. A system for neuromodulation of a cranial nerve of a patient for providing therapy for one of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, comprising:

a) an implantable stimulator, wherein said implanted stimulator comprising a stimulus receiver module, and a pulse generator module programmable with a magnet;

b) an external stimulator for inductively coupling to said stimulus receiver;

c) circuitry means to selectively operate one of said pulse generator module and said stimulus receiver module; and

d) an implanted lead with at least one electrode in contact with said cranial nerve,

whereby said system provides said therapy.

25. System of claim 24, wherein said cranial nerve is a vagus nerve.

26. System of claim 24, wherein said neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders further comprises from a group consisting of partial complex epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, involuntary movement disorders caused by Parkinson'"'"'s disease, migraines, neurogenic pain, depression, Alzheimer'"'"'s disease, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and the like.

27. System of claim 24, wherein said external stimulator comprises telemetry module for remotely controlling said external stimulator.

28. System of claim 24, wherein said external stimulator is networked with remote computers.

29. System of claim 24, wherein said external stimulator comprises a global positioning system (GPS) module for determining patient location.

30. A system for providing electrical stimulation to a cranial nerve for providing therapy for one of partial complex epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, involuntary movement disorders caused by Parkinson'"'"'s disease, migraines, depression, Alzheimer'"'"'s disease, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and the like, comprising:

a) an implanted stimulator, wherein said implanted stimulator is adopted to be rechargeable with an external power supply;

b) an external power source to recharge said implanted stimulator; and

c) an implanted lead connected to said implanted stimulator with at least one electrode in contact with said cranial nerve,

whereby said therapy is provided using said rechargeable system.