Neural blocking therapy

• US 20070073354A1
• Filed: 09/26/2005
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Flathead Partners, LLC, Venturi Group, LLC
• Original Assignee: Flathead Partners, LLC
• Inventors: Donders, Adrianus, Knudson, Mark, Conrad, Timothy
• Application Number:
  US11/235,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20070073354A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36064 Epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36067 Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating a variety of conditions include treating a disorder associated with neural activity near a region of a brain. In such condition, the method includes placing an electrode to create a field near said region, creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said field. For treating a tissue sensation, the method includes identifying a target area of tissue to be treated and placing an electrode to create a field near the target area, and creating the field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within the target area. For treating a condition associated with neural activity of a spinal cord, the method includes placing an electrode to create a field near a nerve associated with the spinal cord, and creating the field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within the nerve.

Claims

1. A method of treating a disorder associated with neural activity near a region of a brain, said method comprising:

placing an electrode to create a field near said region, creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said field.

2. A method according to claim 1 comprising placing said electrode beneath a skull of said patient for said field to at least partially block neural activity within at least a portion of a cortex of said brain.

3. A method according to claim 1 comprising placing said electrode within a ventricle of said brain with said electrode positioned to block neural activity of a portion of said brain associated with hormone production.

4. An apparatus for treating a disorder associated with neural activity near a region of a brain, said apparatus comprising:

a electrode for creating a field near said region, said electrode adapted to be placed near said region

a controller for creating said field at said electrode with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said field.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said electrode is sized to be placed beneath a skull of said patient for said field to at least partially block neural activity within at least a portion of a cortex of said brain.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said electrode is sized to be placed within a ventricle of said brain with said electrode positioned to block neural activity of a portion of said brain associated with hormone production.

7. A method of treating tissue sensation, said method comprising:

identifying a target area of tissue to be treated;

placing an electrode to create a field near said target area, creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said target area.

8. An apparatus for treating tissue sensation, said method comprising:

an electrode for creating a field near said target area, said electrode adapted to be placed against a tissue surface;

a controller for creating said field at said electrode with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said field.

9. A method of treating a condition associated with neural activity of a spinal cord, said method comprising:

placing an electrode to create a field near a nerve associated with said spinal cord, creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said nerve.

10. An apparatus for treating a condition associated with neural activity of a spinal cord, said apparatus comprising:

an electrode to create a field near a nerve associated with said spinal cord, said electrode adapted to be positioned near said spinal cord;

a controller for creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said nerve.