Implantable seizure monitor

• US 20070213629A1
• Filed: 03/08/2006
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neuropace Inc.
• Original Assignee: Neuropace Inc.
• Inventors: Greene, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,787,945 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4094 Diagnosing or monitoring seizure diseases, e.g. epilepsy

Abstract

An implantable seizure monitor can include at least one sensing electrode and an electronics module configured to detect, record and/or log neurological events. For example, the electronics module can be configured to detect brainwaves indicative of seizures, such as, for example, epileptic seizures, and to create a log indicating when such seizures occur. The implantable seizure monitor can include a cushioning member made of a soft material and configured to be implantable between the epidermis and cranium of a patient.

Claims

1. An implantable recording device for detecting and logging neurological events, the recording device comprising a housing enclosing at least one electronic module, at least a first sensing electrode connected to the electronic module, and a cushioning member surrounding at least three sides of each of the housing and the at least one sensing electrode, the cushioning member being made from a soft biocompatible material.

2. The implantable recording device according to claim 1 additionally comprising a second sensing electrode connected to the electronic module and being space from a first longitudinal end of the housing, wherein the first sensing electrode is spaced from a second longitudinal end of the housing, the first and second longitudinal ends of the housing being opposite from each other.

3. The implantable recording device according to claim 2, wherein the first and second sensing electrodes are spaced from each other by about 3 cm.

4. The implantable recording device according to claim 1, wherein the cushioning member is made of a silicone rubber.

5. The implantable recording device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic module comprises a detection subsystem configured to distinguish between normal brainwaves and brainwaves indicative of a seizure.

6. The implantable recording device according to claim 5, wherein the electronic module is configured to create a log of each time a seizure is detected.

7. The implantable recording device according to claim 6 additionally comprising a memory device, wherein the electronic module is configured to save the log in the memory device.

8. The implantable recording device according to claim 7, wherein the electronic module additionally comprises a communication device configured to allow information stored in a memory device to be downloaded to a computer through a wireless interface.

9. The implantable recording device according to claim 6, wherein the electronic module is configured to create a log of the neurological event only if the brainwaves associated with the neurological event are sufficiently severe such that a halfway value of the neurological event is greater than a predetermined half way of threshold value, a line length trend of value of the neurological event is greater then a predetermined line length trend threshold value, and an area trend value of the neurological event is greater than a predetermined area trend threshold value.

10. The implantable device according to claim 6 were in electronic module is configured to store information indicated a date upon which a neurological event occurs, and time at which a neurological event occurs.

11. The implantable device according to claim 10, wherein the electronic module is configured to store information indicative of a duration of the neurological event.

12. The implantable device according to claim 11, wherein the electronic module is configured to store information regarding the neurological event indicative of whether the neurological event included brainwaves satisfying a test of at least one of half wave characteristics of the brainwaves, line length characteristics of the brainwaves, and area of the brainwaves.

13. The implantable recording device according to claim 1 additionally comprising at least second, third, and fourth sensing electrodes.

14. An implantable device for detecting neurological events, the device comprising at least one sensor configured to detect brainwaves and to generate a signal indicative of the brainwaves, an amplifier configured to amplify signal from the sensor, and an event detector configured to determine if a neurological event has occurred based on the saturation of the amplifier.

15. The implantable device according to claim 14, wherein the event detector is configured to determine if the neurological event has occurred based on the frequency of saturation of the amplifier.

16. The implantable device according to claim 14, wherein the event detector is configured to determine if the neurological event has occurred based on the duration of saturation of the amplifier.

17. A method of monitoring a seizure disorder of an animal comprising implanting a seizure monitor between the epidermis and cranium of the animal, the seizure monitor having a housing enclosing an electronic module configured to detect and log seizure events, at least first and second sensing electrodes, and the cushioning member surrounding at least three sides of each of the housing and the sensing electrodes.

18. The method according to claim 17 additionally comprising spacing the first and second sensing electrodes by at least about 3 cm apart.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of implanting comprises inserting the seizure monitor between the galea and the cranium of the animal.

20. The method according to claim 19 additionally comprising contacting and exposed outer surface of the first and second sensing electrodes with the cranium of the animal.