Method and apparatus for stimulating the sphenopalatine ganglion to modify properties of the BBB and cerebral blood flow

• US 20060276854A1
• Filed: 08/12/2006
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alon Shalev, Yossi Gross
• Original Assignee: Alon Shalev, Yossi Gross
• Inventors: Gross, Yossi, Shalev, Alon
• Granted Patent: US 7,729,759 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4076 Diagnosing or monitoring particular conditions of the nervous system A61B5/4821, A61B5/4824 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0546 Nasal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/10 for treating ischaemic or atherosclerotic diseases, e.g. antianginal drugs, coronary vasodilators, drugs for myocardial infarction, retinopathy, cerebrovascula insufficiency, renal arteriosclerosis

Abstract

Apparatus for modifying a property of a brain of a patient is provided, including one or more electrodes (7), adapted to be applied to a site selected from a group of sites consisting of: a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) (6) of the patient and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG. A control unit (8) is adapted to drive the one or more electrodes to apply a current to the site capable of inducing (a) an increase in permeability of a blood-brain barrier (BBB) of the patient, (b) a change in cerebral blood flow of the patient, and/or (c) an inhibition of parasympathetic activity of the SPG.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. Apparatus for modifying a property of a brain of a patient, comprising:

one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to a site selected from the group of sites consisting of;

a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the patient and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG; and

a stimulator, configured to drive the one or more electrodes to apply, on a long-term basis, a current to the site capable of inducing an increase in cerebral blood flow of the patient.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the one or more electrodes are adapted for a period of implantation in the patient greater than about one month.

7. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the stimulator is configured to drive the one or more electrodes by wireless communication from a position external to the patient.

13. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the one or more electrodes is configured for insertion through a nostril of the patient and to extend therefrom to the site.

14. Apparatus according to claim 2, and comprising at least one biosensor, adapted to measure a physiological parameter of the patient and to generate a signal responsive thereto, wherein the stimulator is configured to modify a parameter of the applied current responsive to the signal.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the biosensor comprises a blood flow sensor.

26. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the biosensor comprises an electroencephalographic (EEG) sensor.

27. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the biosensor comprises a blood vessel clot detector.

74. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the biosensor is adapted to measure a physiological parameter of a brain of the patient.

75. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the site includes the SPG, wherein the one or more electrodes are adapted to be applied to the SPG, and wherein the stimulator is configured to drive the one or more electrodes to apply the current to the SPG.

76. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the site includes the neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG, wherein the one or more electrodes are adapted to be applied to the neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG, and wherein the stimulator is configured to drive the one or more electrodes to apply the current to the neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG.

77. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the stimulator is configured to drive the one or more electrodes to apply, on a long-term intermittent basis, the current to the site.

64. Apparatus according to any one of claims 14, wherein the one or more electrodes are adapted for a period of implantation in the patient less than about one week.

3-4. -4. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

8-10. -10. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

16-25. -25. (canceled)

28-32. -32. (canceled)

33. A method for modifying a property of a brain of a patient, comprising:

selecting a site from the group of sites consisting of;

a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the patient and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG; and

on a long-term basis, applying a current to the site capable of inducing an increase in cerebral blood flow of the patient.

36. A method according to claim 33, wherein selecting the site comprises implanting an electrode at the site, designated to remain in the patient for a period greater than about one month.

38. A method according to claim 33, wherein selecting the site comprises placing an electrode at the site, and wherein applying the current comprises communicating with the electrode by wireless communication from a position external to the patient.

44. A method according to claim 33, wherein applying the current comprises inserting an electrode through a nostril of the patient.

45. A method according to claim 33, and comprising sensing a physiological parameter of the patient and generating a signal responsive thereto, wherein applying the current comprises modifying a parameter of the applied current responsive to the signal.

46. A method according to claim 45, wherein sensing comprises sensing blood flow of the patient.

57. A method according to claim 45, wherein sensing comprises sensing electroencephalographic (EEG) data.

58. A method according to claim 45, wherein sensing comprises detecting a presence of an embolus in a blood vessel of the patient.

79. A method according to claim 45, wherein the physiological parameter includes a physiological parameter of a brain of the patient, and wherein sensing the physiological parameter comprises sensing the physiological brain parameter.

80. A method according to claim 33, wherein selecting the site comprises selecting the SPG.

81. A method according to claim 33, wherein selecting the site comprises selecting the neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG.

82. A method according to claim 33, wherein applying the current comprises applying the current on a long-term intermittent basis.

34-35. -35. (canceled)

37. (canceled)

39-41. -41. (canceled)

43. (canceled)

47-56. -56. (canceled)

59-72. -72. (canceled)

65. Vascular apparatus, comprising:

a detecting element, adapted to be fixed to a blood vessel of a patient and to generate a signal responsive to energy coming from the blood vessel; and

a control unit, adapted to analyze the signal so as to determine an indication of an embolus in the blood vessel.

66. Apparatus according to claim 65, wherein the detecting element comprises an energy transmitter and an energy receiver.

67. Apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the energy transmitter comprises an ultrasound transmitter.

68. Apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the energy transmitter comprises a transmitter of electromagnetic energy.

69. A method for detecting, comprising:

fixing a detecting element to a blood vessel of a patient;

generate a signal responsive to energy coming from the blood vessel; and

analyzing the signal so as to determine an indication of an embolus in the blood vessel.

70. A method according to claim 69, wherein generating the signal comprises transmitting energy at the blood vessel.

71. A method according to claim 70, wherein generating the signal comprises transmitting ultrasound energy at the blood vessel.

72. A method according to claim 70, wherein generating the signal comprises transmitting electromagnetic energy at the blood vessel.

83. Apparatus for modifying a property of a brain of a patient, comprising:

one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to a site selected from the group of sites consisting of;

a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the patient and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG; and

a stimulator, configured to be implanted in a body of the patient, and to drive the one or more electrodes to apply a current to the site capable of inducing an increase in cerebral blood flow of the patient.

11. Apparatus according to claim 83, wherein the stimulator is configured to be implanted in a nasal cavity of the patient.

73. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the stimulator is configured to be implanted on top of a bony palate of the patient.

84. Apparatus according to claim 83, wherein the stimulator is configured to be implanted at a lower side of a bony palate of the patient.

85. Apparatus according to claim 83, wherein the site includes the SPG, wherein the one or more electrodes are adapted to be applied to the SPG, and wherein the stimulator is configured to drive the one or more electrodes to apply the current to the SPG.

86. Apparatus according to claim 83, wherein the site includes the neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG, wherein the one or more electrodes are adapted to be applied to the neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG, and wherein the stimulator is configured to drive the one or more electrodes to apply the current to the neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG.

87. Apparatus according to 83, and comprising at least one biosensor, adapted to measure a physiological parameter of the patient and to generate a signal responsive thereto, wherein the stimulator is adapted to modify a parameter of the applied current responsive to the signal.

88. Apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the biosensor is adapted to measure a physiological parameter of a brain of the patient.

89. Apparatus according to claim 83, wherein the one or more electrodes are configured for a period of implantation in the patient greater than about one month.

90. Apparatus according to claim 83, wherein the stimulator is configured to drive, on a long-term basis, the one or more electrodes to apply the current to the site.

91. Apparatus according to claim 90, wherein the stimulator is configured to drive, on a long-term intermittent basis, the one or more electrodes to apply the current to the site.

92. A method for modifying a property of a brain of a patient, comprising:

selecting a site from the group of sites consisting of;

a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the patient and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG;

implanting one or more electrodes in a body of the patient;

implanting a stimulator in the body of the patient; and

driving the electrodes from the stimulator to apply a current to the site capable of inducing an increase in cerebral blood flow of the patient.

42. A method according to claim 92, wherein implanting the stimulator comprises implanting the stimulator in a nasal cavity of the patient.

78. A method according to claim 42, wherein implanting the stimulator comprises implanting the stimulator on top of a bony palate of the patient.

93. A method according to claim 92, wherein implanting the stimulator comprises implanting the stimulator at a lower side of a bony palate of the patient.

94. A method according to claim 92, wherein selecting the site comprises selecting the SPG.

95. A method according to claim 92, wherein selecting the site comprises selecting the neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG.

96. A method according to claim 92, and comprising sensing a physiological parameter of the patient and generating a signal responsive thereto, wherein driving the electrodes to apply the current comprises modifying a parameter of the applied current responsive to the signal.

97. A method according to claim 96, wherein the physiological parameter includes a physiological parameter of a brain of the patient, and wherein sensing the physiological parameter comprises sensing the physiological brain parameter.

98. A method according to claim 92, wherein implanting the electrodes comprises designating the electrodes to remain in the patient for a period greater than about one month.

99. A method according to claim 92, wherein driving the electrodes comprises driving the electrodes on a long-term basis to apply the current to the site.

100. A method according to claim 99, wherein driving the electrodes comprises driving the electrodes on a long-term intermittent basis to apply the current to the site.

101. Apparatus for modifying a property of a brain of a patient, comprising:

one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to a site selected from the group of sites consisting of;

a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the patient and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG; and

circuitry, which comprises;

an implantable unit, configured to be implanted in a body of the patient, the implantable unit comprising an implantable unit coupler; and

an external unit, comprising an external unit coupler configured to be wirelessly coupled to the implantable unit coupler, the external unit configured to convey a control signal from the external unit coupler to the implantable unit coupler, which signal drives the implantable unit to drive the electrodes to apply a current to the site capable of inducing an increase in cerebral blood flow of the patient.

102. Apparatus according to claim 101, wherein the control signal includes power, and wherein the external unit is configured to convey the power from the external unit coupler to the implantable unit coupler, which power drives the implantable unit to drive the electrodes to apply the current to the site.

103. Apparatus according to claim 101, wherein the control signal includes a data signal, and wherein the external unit is configured to convey the data signal from the external unit coupler to the implantable unit coupler, which data signal drives the implantable unit to drive the electrodes to apply the current to the site.

104. Apparatus according to claim 101, wherein the implantable unit coupler comprises an electromagnetic implantable unit coupler, and wherein the external unit coupler comprises an electromagnetic external unit coupler.

105. Apparatus according to claim 101, wherein the implantable unit is configured to be implanted in a nasal cavity of the patient.

106. Apparatus according to claim 105, wherein the implantable unit is configured to be implanted on top of a bony palate of the patient.

107. Apparatus according to claim 101, wherein the implantable unit is configured to be implanted at a lower side of a bony palate of the patient.

108. Apparatus according to claim 101, wherein the one or more electrodes are configured for a period of implantation in the patient greater than about one month.

109. Apparatus according to claim 101, wherein the site includes the SPG, wherein the one or more electrodes are adapted to be applied to the SPG, and wherein the external unit is configured to convey the control signal which drives the implantable unit to drive the electrodes to apply the current to the SPG.

110. Apparatus according to claim 101, wherein the site includes the neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG, wherein the one or more electrodes are adapted to be applied to the neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG, and wherein the external unit is configured to convey the control signal which drives the implantable unit to drive the electrodes to apply the current to the neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG.