Device for multicentric brain modulation, repair and interface

• US 20080154331A1
• Filed: 12/21/2006
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: E-Soc, University of Pittsburgh of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education
• Original Assignee: E-Soc, University of Pittsburgh of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education
• Inventors: Kondziolka, Douglas S., John, Varghese
• Application Number:
  US11/644,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20080154331A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/025 Digital circuitry features of electrotherapy devices, e.g. memory, clocks, processors
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0539 Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole
• 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 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37514 Brain implants

Abstract

A brain stimulation device, including: a cranial chip that is configured to be surgically implanted between a patient'"'"'s scalp and skull; at least three stimulation leads connected to the cranial chip, wherein each lead has a plurality of stimulation electrodes thereon; control circuitry in the cranial chip for controlling the operation of the stimulation leads and stimulation electrodes; and a power source in the cranial chip for powering the simulation leads and the stimulation electrodes and the control circuitry.

Claims

1. A brain stimulation device, comprising:

a cranial chip that is configured to be surgically implanted between a patient'"'"'s scalp and skull;

at least three stimulation leads connected to the cranial chip, wherein each lead has a plurality of stimulation electrodes thereon;

control circuitry in the cranial chip for controlling the operation of the stimulation leads and stimulation electrodes; and

a power source in the cranial chip for powering the simulation leads and the stimulation electrodes and the control circuitry.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the cranial chip further comprises:

radio-frequency harvesting circuitry for powering the cranial chip.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the cranial chip further comprises:

a battery for powering the cranial chip.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to simultaneously stimulate a plurality of locations in the patient'"'"'s brain.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the stimulation leads are individually controllable by the control circuitry.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the stimulation electrodes on the stimulation leads are individually controllable by the control circuitry.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless hand-held programmer for controlling the operation of the cranial chip.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising:

a physician programming device in communication with the wireless hand-held programmer.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry generates brain stimulus pulses in accordance with a computer program stored therein.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the stimulation electrodes are configured to simultaneously stimulate multiple targets on the same side of a patient'"'"'s brain.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the stimulation electrodes are operable in both therapeutic and diagnostic modes.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the stimulation electrodes are positionable to target multiple locations in the brain to benefit each point in a neurocircuit.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry controls voltage and current characteristics of the stimulation electrodes.

14. The system of claim 7, wherein the wireless hand-held programmer controls the voltage of the stimulation electrode within 1 volt.

15. The system of claim 7, wherein the wireless hand-held programmer controls pulse duration within a change of +/−

90 microseconds.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a pair of the brain stimulation devices are used to each target opposites sides of a patient'"'"'s brain.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein multiple mini-burr holes are used for insertion of the stimulation leads.

18. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

an inductive coupling battery charging system for charging the battery.

19. The system of claim 3, further comprising

a battery recharging system using light, heat or vibrational energy for charging the battery.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry comprises:

control circuits and memory circuits that cause stimulation pulses to be applied through at least one of a plurality of channels to the stimulation electrodes in accordance with a program stored within the memory circuits of the cranial chip device.

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a servicing and diagnostic system for coupling with the cranial chip through an RF link or infra-red link.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein each stimulation electrode lead is dimensioned to be inserted through the burr hole in the skull.

23. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a physician'"'"'s programmer coupled to a hand-held programmer through an infra-red link or RF link to couple the physician'"'"'s programmer with the cranial chip.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the device is configured for the treatment of brain disorders.