Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090182391 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR APPLYING NEURAL STIMULATION TO A PATIENT - Systems and methods for neural stimulation may include a stimulus unit; a first electrode assembly having a first set of contacts; and a second set of contacts. The stimulus unit can be an implantable pulse generator including a first terminal that can be biased at a first signal polarity and a second terminal that can be biased at a second signal polarity. The first electrode assembly includes a support member configured to be placed at the stimulation site, the first set of contacts carried by the support member, and a first lead configured to be attached to the first terminal of the implantable pulse generator for biasing the surface contacts at the first polarity. The second set of contacts is detached from the surface electrode assembly. The second set of contacts can be one or more conductive elements fixed to or forming portions of the implantable pulse generator, or a separate electrode array. | 07-16-2009 |
20090292344 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INTRACRANIAL NEUROSTIMULATION AND/OR SENSING - Methods and systems for intracranial neurostimulation and/or sensing are disclosed. An intracranial signal transmission system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a generally electrically insulating body having a head portion configured to be positioned at least proximate to an outer surface of a patient's skull, and a shaft portion configured to extend into an aperture in the patient's skull. The system can further include at least one electrical contact portion integrated with the support body. The at least one electrical contact portion can be positioned to transfer electrical signals to, from, or both to and from the patient's brain via an aperture in the patient's skull. | 11-26-2009 |
20100004500 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VARYING ELECTROMAGNETIC AND ADJUNCTIVE NEURAL THERAPIES - Systems and methods for varying electromagnetic and adjunctive neural therapies are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes applying electromagnetic signals to a target neural population of a patient over a first period of time in accordance with a first mode (e.g., including signal delivery to the central nervous system or peripheral nervous system, via implanted or non-implanted devices). The method can further include applying electromagnetic stimulation to the patient over a second period of time in accordance with a second mode different than the first mode. Varying the mode between the first period of time and second period of time can increase the efficacy and/or longevity of the stimulation. Systems in accordance with other embodiments can support multiple signal delivery devices. | 01-07-2010 |
20100145427 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTUATING A LASTING CHANGE IN A NEURAL-FUNCTION OF A PATIENT - 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. Certain embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention electrically stimulate the brain at a stimulation site where neuroplasticity is occurring or is expected to occur. The stimulation site may be different than the region in the brain where neural activity is typically present to perform the particular neural function according to the functional organization of the brain. In one embodiment in which neuroplasticity related to the neural-function occurs in the brain, the method can include identifying the location where such neuroplasticity is present or expected to occur. In an alternative embodiment in which neuroplasticity is not occurring in the brain, an alternative aspect is to induce neuroplasticity at a stimulation site where it is expected to occur. Several embodiments of these methods that are expected to produce a lasting effect on the intended neural activity at the stimulation site use electrical pulses that increase the resting membrane potential of neurons at the stimulation site to a subthreshold level. | 06-10-2010 |
20120041498 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING OR AFFECTING NEURAL STIMULATION EFFICIENCY AND/OR EFFICACY - Systems and methods for enhancing or affecting neural stimulation efficiency and/or efficacy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system and/or method may apply electromagnetic stimulation to a patient's nervous system over a first time domain according to a first set of stimulation parameters, and over a second time domain according to a second set of stimulation parameters. The first and second time domains may be sequential, simultaneous, or nested. Stimulation parameters may vary in accordance with one or more types of duty cycle, amplitude, pulse repetition frequency, pulse width, spatiotemporal, and/or polarity variations. Stimulation may be applied at subthreshold, threshold, and/or suprathreshold levels in one or more periodic, aperiodic (e.g., chaotic), and/or pseudo-random manners. In some embodiments stimulation may comprise a burst pattern having an interburst frequency corresponding to an intrinsic brainwave frequency, and regular and/or varying intraburst stimulation parameters. Stimulation signals providing reduced power consumption with at least adequate symptomatic relief may be applied prior to moderate or significant power source depletion. | 02-16-2012 |
20120253442 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTUATING A LASTING CHANGE IN A NEURAL-FUNCTION OF A PATIENT - A device and method for intracranial electrical stimulation to effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient, by electrical stimulating the brain at a site where neuroplasticity is occurring or is expected to occur, where the stimulation site may be different than the region in the brain where neural activity is typically present to perform the particular neural function according to the functional organization of the brain. In one embodiment in which neuroplasticity is related to the neural-function occurs in the brain, identifying the location where such neuroplasticity is present or expected to occur. Where neuroplasticity is not occurring in the brain, an alternative aspect is to induce neuroplasticity at a stimulation site where it is expected to occur. The methods can use electrical pulses that increase the resting membrane potential of neurons at the stimulation site to a subthreshold level. | 10-04-2012 |
20140222113 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING OR AFFECTING NEURAL STIMULATION EFFICIENCY AND/OR EFFICACY - Systems and methods for enhancing or affecting neural stimulation efficiency and/or efficacy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system and/or method may apply electromagnetic stimulation to a patient's nervous system over a first time domain according to a first set of stimulation parameters, and over a second time domain according to a second set of stimulation parameters. The first and second time domains may be sequential, simultaneous, or nested. Stimulation parameters may vary in accordance with one or more types of duty cycle, amplitude, pulse repetition frequency, pulse width, spatiotemporal, and/or polarity variations. Stimulation may be applied at subthreshold, threshold, and/or suprathreshold levels in one or more periodic, aperiodic (e.g., chaotic), and/or pseudo-random manners. In some embodiments stimulation may comprise a burst pattern having an interburst frequency corresponding to an intrinsic brainwave frequency, and regular and/or varying intraburst stimulation parameters. Stimulation signals providing reduced power consumption with at least adequate symptomatic relief may be applied prior to moderate or significant power source depletion. | 08-07-2014 |
20160067496 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING OR AFFECTING NEURAL STIMULATION EFFICIENCY AND/OR EFFICACY - Systems and methods for enhancing or affecting neural stimulation efficiency and/or efficacy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system and/or method may apply electromagnetic stimulation to a patient's nervous system over a first time domain according to a first set of stimulation parameters, and over a second time domain according to a second set of stimulation parameters. The first and second time domains may be sequential, simultaneous, or nested. Stimulation parameters may vary in accordance with one or more types of duty cycle, amplitude, pulse repetition frequency, pulse width, spatiotemporal, and/or polarity variations. Stimulation may be applied at subthreshold, threshold, and/or suprathreshold levels in one or more periodic, aperiodic (e.g., chaotic), and/or pseudo-random manners. In some embodiments stimulation may comprise a burst pattern having an interburst frequency corresponding to an intrinsic brainwave frequency, and regular and/or varying intraburst stimulation parameters. Stimulation signals providing reduced power consumption with at least adequate symptomatic relief may be applied prior to moderate or significant power source depletion. | 03-10-2016 |