Closed-loop autonomic neuromodulation for optimal control of neurological and metabolic disease

• US 7,974,696 B1
• Filed: 07/23/2005
• Issued: 07/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DiLorenzo Biomedical, LLC
• Original Assignee: DiLorenzo Biomedical, LLC
• Inventors: DiLorenzo, Daniel John
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow; Scott M
• Application Number:
  US11/187,315
• Time in Patent Office: 2,173 Days
• Field of Search: 607/45, 607/2, 607/62
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1101 Detecting tremor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4035 Evaluating the autonomic nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4082 Diagnosing or monitoring movement diseases, e.g. Parkinson, Huntington or Tourette
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6852 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6864 Burr holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6868 Brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7217 of noise originating from a therapeutic or surgical apparatus, e.g. from a pacemaker
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• 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 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36031 using physiological parameters for adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36085 Eating disorders or obesity

Abstract

A neurological control system for modulating activity of any component or structure of some or all of the nervous system, or any structure interfaced thereto, generally referred to herein as a “nervous system component.” This system generates neural modulation signals delivered to a nervous system component through one or more neuromodulators to control neurological state or autonomic state and prevent neurological or metabolic signs and symptoms. Such treatment parameters may be derived from a neural response to previously delivered neural modulation signals, with sensors configured to sense a particular characteristic indicative of a neurological, psychiatric, or metabolic condition.

Claims

1. A system for modulation of the sympathetic nervous system in the treatment of disease, comprising:

A. a signal conditioning circuit;

B. a sensor array in communication with said signal conditioning circuit;

C. a signal processor in communication with said signal conditioning circuit, wherein said signal processor performs neural state estimation;

D. a control circuit in communication with said signal processor and which calculates an output which is a function of the neural state;

E. an output stage circuit in communication with said control circuit; and

F. a stimulating electrode array, in communication with said output stage circuit, said stimulating electrode array configured to be in communication with a component of the sympathetic nervous system.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein neural state comprises autonomic index.

3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein neural state is controlled to remain within a normal range.

4. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein autonomic index is controlled to remain within a normal range.

5. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein neural state is controlled to remain within a control range.

6. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein autonomic index is controlled to remain within a control range.

7. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein neural state is controlled to remain outside of a critical range.

8. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein autonomic index is controlled to remain outside of a critical range.

9. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein neural state is controlled to prevent the occurrence of at least one of neurological signs and neurological symptoms.

10. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein autonomic index is controlled to prevent the occurrence of at least one of neurological signs and neurological symptoms.

11. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein neural state is controlled to prevent the occurrence of metabolic abnormalities.

12. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein autonomic index is controlled to prevent the occurrence of metabolic abnormalities.

24. The system for neural modulation as in claim 1, 13, 17, 21, 22, or 23, wherein said signal processor generates a signal which is a function of activity of a component of the sympathetic nervous system.

25. The system for neural modulation as in claim 1, 13, 17, 21, 22, or 23, wherein said control circuit generates a signal which modulates the activity of a component of the sympathetic nervous system.

26. The system for neural modulation as in claim 1, 13, 17, 21, 22, or 23, wherein said output stage circuit generates a signal which modulates the activity of a component of the sympathetic nervous system.

27. The system for neural modulation as in claim 1, 13, 17, 21, 22, or 23, wherein said neuromodulator array is configured to deliver a signal which modulates the activity of a component of the sympathetic nervous system.

13. A system for neural modulation in the treatment of obesity, comprising:

A. a sensor array in communication with said signal conditioning circuit;

B. a signal processor in communication with said sensor array, whereby said signal processor calculates at least one state;

C. a control circuit in communication with said signal processor and which calculates an output which is a function of the neural state;

D. an output stage circuit in communication with said control circuit; and

E. a neuromodulator array, in communication with said output stage circuit, said neuromodulator array is configured to be in communication with a component of a sympathetic nervous system.

14. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein neural state comprises autonomic index.

15. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein neural state is controlled to remain within a normal range.

16. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein neural state is controlled to remain within a control range.

17. A system for neural modulation in the treatment of metabolic disease, comprising:

A. a sensor array in communication with said signal conditioning circuit;

B. a signal processor in communication with said sensor array, whereby said signal processor calculates at least one state;

C. a control circuit in communication with said signal processor and which uses a control law to calculate an output which is a function of the neural state;

D. an output stage circuit in communication with said control circuit; and

E. a neuromodulator array, in communication with said output stage circuit, said neuromodulator array is configured to be in communication with a component of a sympathetic nervous system.

18. A system as recited in claim 17, wherein neural state comprises autonomic index.

19. A system as recited in claim 17, wherein neural state is controlled to remain within a normal range.

20. A system as recited in claim 17, wherein neural state is controlled to remain within a control range.

21. A system for modulation of the sympathetic nervous system in the treatment of disease, comprising:

A. a signal conditioning circuit;

B. a sensor array in communication with said signal conditioning circuit, said sensor array is configured to be in communication with a component of the sympathetic nervous system;

C. a signal processor in communication with said signal conditioning circuit, wherein said signal processor performs neural state estimation;

D. a control circuit in communication with said signal processor and which calculates an output which is a function of the neural state;

E. an output stage circuit in communication with said control circuit; and

F. a stimulating electrode array, in communication with said output stage circuit.

22. A system for neural modulation in the treatment of obesity, comprising:

A. a sensor array in communication with said signal conditioning circuit, said sensor array configured to be in communication with a component of a sympathetic nervous system;

B. a signal processor in communication with said sensor array, whereby said signal processor calculates at least one state;

C. a control circuit in communication with said signal processor and which calculates an output which is a function of the neural state;

D. an output stage circuit in communication with said control circuit; and

E. a neuromodulator array, in communication with said output stage circuit.

23. A system for neural modulation in the treatment of metabolic disease, comprising:

A. a sensor array in communication with said signal conditioning circuit, said sensor array configured to be in communication with a component of a sympathetic nervous system;

B. a signal processor in communication with said sensor array, whereby said signal processor calculates at least one state;

C. a control circuit in communication with said signal processor and which uses a control law to calculate an output which is a function of the neural state;

D. an output stage circuit in communication with said control circuit; and

E. a neuromodulator array, in communication with said output stage circuit.