Methods and systems for treating post-stroke disorders

• US 8,515,541 B1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Jaax, Kristen N., Whitehurst, Todd K., Carbunaru, Rafael
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): GHAND, JENNIFER LEIGH-STEWAR
• Application Number:
  US11/317,465
• Time in Patent Office: 2,798 Days
• Field of Search: 607/45, 607/48, 607/59, 607/115, 607/116, 607/139, 607/46
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0539 Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36103 Neuro-rehabilitation; Repair or reorganisation of neural tissue, e.g. after stroke
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

Methods of treating a post-stroke disorder include applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient with an implanted stimulator in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. The stimulation site may include, for example, at least one or more of a motor cortex, thalamus, cerebellum, basal ganglia, globus pallidus, and periaqueductal gray. Systems for treating a post-stroke disorder include an implantable stimulator configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. The stimulation site may include, for example, at least one or more of a motor cortex, thalamus, cerebellum, basal ganglia, globus pallidus, and periaqueductal gray.

Claims

1. A method of treating a post-stroke disorder, said method comprising:

applying at least one stimulus to a periaqueductal gray within a patient with an implanted stimulator in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters to treat said post-stroke disorder, wherein said stimulator is at least partially disposed in a skull of said patient.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

implanting a lead having one or more electrodes disposed thereon in communication with said periaqueductal gray, wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered via said electrodes.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing at least one indicator related to said post-stroke disorder and using said at least one sensed indicator to adjust one or more of said stimulation parameters.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said at least one indicator comprises at least one or more of an electrical activity of a brain, a discharge frequency of a neural population in said brain, a nerve activity, a muscle activity, a movement of a head, a movement of a limb, a chemical level of said brain, a neurotransmitter level, a hormone level, a medication level, a dopamine level, an interleukin level, a cytokine level, a lymphokine level, a chemokine level, a growth factor level, an electrolyte level, and an enzyme level.