METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTUATING A LASTING CHANGE IN A NEURAL-FUNCTION OF A PATIENT

• US 20120316630A1
• Filed: 08/16/2012
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alan J. Levy, Andrew D. Firlik, Bradford Evan Gliner, Carlton B. Morgan, Jeffrey Balzer, Katrina S. Firlik
• Original Assignee: Alan J. Levy, Andrew D. Firlik, Bradford Evan Gliner, Carlton B. Morgan, Jeffrey Balzer, Katrina S. Firlik
• Inventors: Firlik, Andrew D., Balzer, Jeffrey, Gliner, Bradford Evan, Levy, Alan J., Firlik, Katrina S., Morgan, Carlton B.
• Application Number:
  US13/587,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20120316630A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0539 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 1/36103 Neuro-rehabilitation; Repair or reorganisation of neural tissue, e.g. after stroke
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37514 Brain implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37518 Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for intracranial electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. The methods in accordance with the invention can be used to treat brain damage (e.g., stroke, trauma, etc.), brain disease (e.g., Alzheimer'"'"'s, Pick'"'"'s, Parkinson'"'"'s, etc.), and/or brain disorders (e.g., epilepsy, depression, etc.). The methods in accordance with the invention can also be used to enhance neural-function of normal, healthy brains (e.g., learning, memory, etc.), or to control sensory functions (e.g., pain).

Claims

1. A method of treating Parkinson'"'"'s disease (PD) in a patient, comprising:

identifying a region within the brain of the patient exhibiting dysfunctional neuronal activity caused by PD in the patient;

implanting a stimulation lead within or adjacent to the identified region; and

electrically stimulating, through a plurality of electrodes of the stimulation lead, a population of neuronal tissue to treat PD in the patient, wherein (i) the stimulating repetitively applies, in a time sequence, electrical pulses through different electrodes of the plurality of electrodes to successively stimulate different neuron subpopulations within the population of neuronal tissue;

(ii) at least a subset of the applied electrical pulses are provided at a subthreshold level that is sufficiently low to avoid overdriving a substantially majority of neurons of the population to depletion of neurotransmitters in the neurons of the population; and

(iii) the applied electrical pulses causes entrainment of neuronal activity within respective subpopulations.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein electrical pulses applied at a subthreshold level occur at a pulse amplitude level of 60% to 80% of a difference between an unstimulated resting potential of neurons and a threshold potential for direct stimulated action potential generation.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein electrical pulses applied at a subthreshold level occur at a pulse amplitude level of approximately 10% of a difference between an unstimulated resting potential of neurons and a threshold potential for direct stimulated action potential generation.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the identifying comprises conducting an MRI scan of at least a portion of the patient'"'"'s brain.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein electrical pulses, applied to the different neuronal subpopulations, are repeated at a pulse rate with a range of 40 Hz to 200 Hz.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the successively stimulation of different neuron subpopulations within the population of neuronal tissue causes a rotational pattern of stimulation about the plurality of electrodes to occur.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the successively stimulation of different neuron subpopulations within the population of neuronal tissue causes alternating polarities of stimulation in different subpopulations of neurons.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrical pulses are biphasic pulses.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrical pulses are monophasic pulses.