Methods and apparatus for effectuating a lasting change in a neural-function of a patient

• US 7,236,831 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2003
• Issued: 06/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Northstar Neuroscience, Inc.
• Inventors: Firlik, Andrew D., Gliner, Bradford Evan, Balzer, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US10/410,526
• Publication Number:
  US 20040073270A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,540 Days
• Field of Search: 607/45, 607/48
• 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 1/0539 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 1/361 Phantom sensations, e.g. tinnitus
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

The present disclosure suggests methods of selecting a stimulation site for stimulating a patient'"'"'s brain or methods of effectuating a neural-function of a patient associated with an impaired body function. In one exemplary implementation, such a neural function may be effectuated by selecting a stimulation site, positioning at least a first electrode at the stimulation site, and applying an electrical potential to pass a current through the first electrode. If one aspect, this stimulation site may be selected by a) identifying a second body function that is a corollary to the impaired body function, and b) determining a corollary location of the patient'"'"'s brain that is associated with the second body function and is ipsilateral to the impaired body function.

Claims

1. A method of effectuating a neural-function of a patient that has an impaired body part affected by damage to a first location of a first hemisphere of a brain of the patient, comprising:

selecting a stimulation site by (a) generating an intended neural activity by triggering a neural signal from the impaired body part the impaired body part being external to the brain, (b) detecting a second location of the brain in which a response neural activity occurs in reaction to the neural signal, the second location being in a second hemisphere of the brain that is contralateral to the first hemisphere, and (c) selecting the stimulation site to be at least proximate to the second location;

positioning at least a first electrode at the stimulation site; and

applying an electrical potential to pass a current through the first electrode.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein triggering a neural signal comprises passively moving the body part impaired by the damage to the first location.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein triggering a neural signal comprises applying an electrical stimulation to the body part impaired by the damage to the first location.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein selecting the stimulation site further comprises detecting a third location of the brain in which a response neural activity occurs in reaction to the neural signal, the third location being in the first hemisphere.