U.S. patent application number 12/353340 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-07 for methods and apparatus for effectuating a lasting change in a neural-function of a patient.
This patent application is currently assigned to NORTHSTAR NEUROSCIENCE, INC.. Invention is credited to Jeffrey Balzer, Andrew D. Firlik, Bradford Evan Gliner.
Application Number | 20090118788 12/353340 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34084815 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090118788 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Firlik; Andrew D. ; et
al. |
May 7, 2009 |
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTUATING A LASTING CHANGE IN A
NEURAL-FUNCTION OF A PATIENT
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.
Inventors: |
Firlik; Andrew D.; (New
Canaan, CT) ; Balzer; Jeffrey; (Allison Park, PA)
; Gliner; Bradford Evan; (Sammamish, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PERKINS COIE LLP;PATENT-SEA
P.O. BOX 1247
SEATTLE
WA
98111-1247
US
|
Assignee: |
NORTHSTAR NEUROSCIENCE,
INC.
Seattle
WA
|
Family ID: |
34084815 |
Appl. No.: |
12/353340 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10913034 |
Aug 6, 2004 |
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12353340 |
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10410526 |
Apr 8, 2003 |
7236831 |
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10913034 |
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10260720 |
Sep 27, 2002 |
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10410526 |
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09802808 |
Mar 8, 2001 |
7010351 |
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10260720 |
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60325872 |
Sep 28, 2001 |
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60217981 |
Jul 13, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
607/45 ;
600/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61N 1/0534 20130101;
A61N 1/36017 20130101; A61N 1/36025 20130101; A61N 1/36082
20130101; A61N 1/3756 20130101; A61N 1/0539 20130101; A61N 1/361
20130101; A61N 1/0531 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
607/45 ;
600/9 |
International
Class: |
A61N 1/05 20060101
A61N001/05; A61N 2/00 20060101 A61N002/00 |
Claims
1-32. (canceled)
33. A method for treating a patient, comprising: identifying a
patient as suffering from a neurological dysfunction; identifying
one or more potential target neural populations by applying
transcranial magnetic stimulation to the patient and monitoring the
patient's response; selecting a target neural population from the
one or more potential target neural populations; implanting a
cortical surface electrode beneath the patient's skull, outside a
cortical surface of the patient's bran and proximate to the target
neural population; and applying electrical signals to the target
neural population via the electrode to address the patient's
dysfunction.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein identifying a patient as
suffering from a neurological dysfunction includes identifying the
patient as suffering from depression.
35. The method of claim 33 wherein monitoring the patient's
response includes monitoring the patient's performance of a mental
process.
36. The method of claim 33 wherein monitoring the patient's
response includes monitoring the patient's performance of a
memorization task.
37. The method of claim 33 wherein monitoring the patient's
response includes monitoring the patient's movement of a body
part.
38. The method of claim 33 wherein selecting includes selecting the
target neural population from among a plurality of potential target
neural populations identified by applying transcranial magnetic
stimulation to the patient.
39. The method of claim 33 wherein implanting a cortical surface
electrode includes implanting a cortical surface electrode at a
site ipsilateral to a body part impaired by the neural dysfunction,
the body part being external to the patient's brain.
40. The method of claim 33 wherein implanting a cortical surface
electrode includes implanting a cortical surface electrode at a
site contralateral to a portion of the patient's brain adversely
affected by the neurological dysfunction.
41. The method of claim 33 wherein applying electrical signals
includes applying electrical signals at a subthreshold level for
neurons at the target neural population.
42. The method of claim 33 wherein selecting a target neural
population includes selecting a target neural population based at
least in part on an expected neuroplastic activity related to a
neurological function that is adversely affected by the patient's
neurological dysfunction.
43. The method of claim 33 wherein applying electrical stimulation
includes applying electrical stimulation to have an effect lasting
for an extended period after the stimulation is halted.
44. The method of claim 33, further comprising directing the
patient to engage in an adjunctive therapy as part of a treatment
regimen that includes applying the electrical signals to the target
neural population.
45. The method of claim 44 wherein the adjunctive therapy includes
a behavioral therapy.
46. A method for treating a patient, comprising: identifying a
patient as suffering from depression; identifying one or more
potential target neural populations by applying transcranial
magnetic stimulation to the patient and monitoring the patient's
response; selecting a target neural population from the one or more
potential target neural populations; implanting an array of
cortical surface electrodes beneath the patient's skull, outside a
cortical surface of the patient's bran and proximate to the target
neural population; and applying electrical signals to the target
neural population via the electrodes to address the patient's
depression.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/260,720, filed on Sep. 27, 2002, which
claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 60/325,872 filed on Sep.
28, 2001 and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application
Ser. No. 09/802,808, filed on Mar. 8, 2001, which, in turn, claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/217,981, filed
Jul. 31, 2000. Each of these applications is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Several embodiments of methods and apparatus in accordance
with the invention are related to electrically stimulating a region
in the cortex or other area of the brain to bring about a lasting
change in a physiological function and/or a mental process of a
patient.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A wide variety of mental and physical processes are
controlled or influenced by neural activity in particular regions
of the brain. The neural-functions in some areas of the brain
(i.e., the sensory or motor cortices) are organized according to
physical or cognitive functions. Several other areas of the brain
also appear to have distinct functions in most individuals. In the
majority of people, for example, the occipital lobes relate to
vision, the left interior frontal lobes relate to language, and the
cerebral cortex appears to be involved with conscious awareness,
memory, and intellect.
[0004] Many problems or abnormalities can be caused by damage,
disease and/or disorders in the brain. Effectively treating such
abnormalities may be very difficult. For example, a stroke is a
common condition that damages the brain. Strokes are generally
caused by emboli (e.g., obstruction of a vessel), hemorrhages
(e.g., rupture of a vessel), or thrombi (e.g., clotting) in the
vascular system of a specific region of the brain. Such events
generally result in a loss or impairment of a neural function
(e.g., neural functions related to facial muscles, limbs, speech,
etc.). Stroke patients are typically treated using various forms of
physical therapy to rehabilitate the loss of function of a limb or
another affected body part. Stroke patients may also be treated
using physical therapy plus an adjunctive therapy such as
amphetamine treatment. For most patients, however, such treatments
are minimally effective and little can be done to improve the
function of an affected body part beyond the recovery that occurs
naturally without intervention.
[0005] The problems or abnormalities in the brain are often related
to electrical and/or chemical activity in the brain. Neural
activity is governed by electrical impulses or "action potentials"
generated in neurons and propagated along synaptically connected
neurons. When a neuron is in a quiescent state, it is polarized
negatively and exhibits a resting membrane potential typically
between -70 and -60 mV. Through chemical connections known as
synapses, any given neuron receives excitatory and inhibitory input
signals or stimuli from other neurons. A neuron integrates the
excitatory and inhibitory input signals it receives, and generates
or fires a series of action potentials when the integration exceeds
a threshold potential. A neural firing threshold, for example, may
be approximately -55 mV.
[0006] It follows that neural activity in the brain can be
influenced by electrical energy supplied from an external source
such as a waveform generator. Various neural functions can be
promoted or disrupted by applying an electrical current to the
cortex or other region of the brain. As a result, researchers have
attempted to treat physical damage, disease and disorders in the
brain using electrical or magnetic stimulation signals to control
or affect brain functions.
[0007] Transcranial electrical stimulation is one such approach
that involves placing an electrode on the exterior of the scalp and
delivering an electrical current to the brain through the scalp and
skull. Another treatment approach, transcranial magnetic
stimulation, involves producing a high-powered magnetic field
adjacent to the exterior of the scalp over an area of the cortex.
Yet another treatment approach involves direct electrical
stimulation of neural tissue using implanted electrodes.
[0008] The neural stimulation signals used by these approaches may
comprise a series of electrical or magnetic pulses that can affect
neurons within a target neural population. Stimulation signals may
be defined or described in accordance with stimulation signal
parameters including pulse amplitude, pulse frequency, duty cycle,
stimulation signal duration, and/or other parameters. Electrical or
magnetic stimulation signals applied to a population of neurons can
depolarize neurons within the population toward their threshold
potentials. Depending upon stimulation signal parameters, this
depolarization can cause neurons to generate or fire action
potentials. Neural stimulation that elicits or induces action
potentials in a functionally significant proportion of the neural
population to which the stimulation is applied is referred to as
supra-threshold stimulation; neural stimulation that fails to
elicit action potentials in a functionally significant proportion
of the neural population is defined as sub-threshold stimulation.
In general, supra-threshold stimulation of a neural population
triggers or activates one or more functions associated with the
neural population, but sub-threshold stimulation by itself does not
trigger or activate such functions. Supra-threshold neural
stimulation can induce various types of measurable or monitorable
responses in a patient. For example, supra-threshold stimulation
applied to a patient's motor cortex can induce muscle fiber
contractions in an associated part of the body.
[0009] Although electrical or magnetic stimulation of neural tissue
may be directed toward producing an intended type of therapeutic,
rehabilitative, or restorative neural activity, such stimulation
may result in collateral neural activity. In particular, neural
stimulation delivered beyond a certain intensity, period of time,
level, or amplitude can give rise to seizure activity and/or other
types of collateral activity. It will be appreciated that
collateral neural activity may be undesirable and/or inconvenient
in a neural stimulation situation.
[0010] The human brain has two hemispheres that are connected via
the corpus callosum. Each hemisphere of the brain generally exerts
majority control over motor functions and/or sensory functions on
the opposite or "contralateral" side of the patient's body. Hence,
for example, the left hemisphere of the brain has majority control
over movement of the right arm and right leg. Through transcallosal
connections, though, each hemisphere of the brain exerts some
degree of control over the functions on the same or "ipsilaterial"
side of the patient's body. Hence, the right hemisphere of the
brain may have some involvement in controlling movement of the
right arm and right leg.
[0011] Some studies have concluded that damage to or disorders of
the cerebral cortex on one hemisphere can induce long-term changes
in the structure and function of a homotopic location of the
contralateral hemisphere, namely a location on the undamaged cortex
that is at about the same position as the position of the damaged
tissue in the opposite cortex. Damage to the cortex in one
hemisphere may impact the contralateral homotopic cortex in a
variety of fashions, including causing increased cortical
thickness, dendritic growth and/or elimination, neuronal
hyperexcitability, and synaptogenesis. See, e.g., Nudo, "Recovery
After Damage to Motor Cortical Areas," Current Opinion in
Neurobiology, 1999, 9:740-747, the entirety of which is
incorporated herein by reference. See also Keyvani et al.,
"Suppression of Proteasome C2 Contralateral to Ischemic Lesions in
Rat Brain," Brain Research 858, (2000) 386-392.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of neurons.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating firing an "action potential"
associated with normal neural activity.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for effectuating a
neural-function of a patient associated with a location in the
brain in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a portion of a brain
illustrating neural activity in the brain.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top plan image of a portion of the brain
illustrating a loss of neural activity associated with the
neural-function of the patient used in one stage of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a top plan image of the brain of FIG. 3 showing a
change in location of the neural activity associated with the
neural-function of the patient at another stage of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIGS. 7-10 are flow charts illustrating various embodiments
of diagnostic procedures used in embodiments of methods in
accordance with the invention.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a system for carrying
out the diagnostic and stimulation procedures of FIGS. 4C and
4D.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating another embodiment of a
method in accordance with the invention.
[0021] FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematic illustrations of an implanting
procedure at a stage of a method in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating firing an "action potential"
associated with stimulated neural activity in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of an implantable stimulation
apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating
a part of an implantable stimulation apparatus in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 18 is a schematic illustration of a pulse system in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 19 is a schematic illustration of an implanted
stimulation apparatus and an external controller in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating
a portion of an implantable stimulation apparatus having an
external power source and pulse generator in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of an implantable
stimulation apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] 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.
Several embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention are
directed toward enhancing or otherwise inducing neuroplasticity to
effectuate a particular neural-function. Neuroplasticity refers to
the ability of the brain to change or adapt over time. It was once
thought adult brains became relatively "hard wired" such that
functionally significant neural networks could not change
significantly over time or in response to injury. It has become
increasingly more apparent that these neural networks can change
and adapt over time so that meaningful function can be regained in
response to brain injury. An aspect of several embodiments of
methods in accordance with the invention is to provide the
appropriate triggers for adaptive neuroplasticity. These
appropriate triggers appear to cause or enable increased synchrony
of functionally significant populations of neurons in a
network.
[0030] Electrically enhanced or induced neural stimulation in
accordance with several embodiments of the invention excites a
portion of a neural network involved in a functionally significant
task such that a selected population of neurons can become more
strongly associated with that network. Because such a network will
subserve a functionally meaningful task, such as motor relearning,
the changes are more likely to be lasting because they are
continually being reinforced by natural use mechanisms. The nature
of stimulation in accordance with several embodiments of the
invention ensures that the stimulated population of neurons links
to other neurons in the functional network. It is expected that
this occurs because action potentials are not actually caused by
the stimulation, but rather are caused by interactions with other
neurons in the network. Several aspects of the electrical
stimulation in accordance with selected embodiments of the
invention simply allows this to happen with an increased
probability when the network is activated by favorable activities,
such as rehabilitation or limb use.
[0031] 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 functions
of normal, healthy brains (e.g., learning, memory, etc.), or to
control sensory functions (e.g., pain).
[0032] Certain embodiments of methods in accordance with the
invention electrically stimulate the brain at a stimulation site
where neuroplasticity is occurring. The stimulation site may be
different than the region in the brain where neural activity is
typically present to perform the particular 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. This particular procedure may
accordingly enhance a change in the neural activity to assist the
brain in performing the particular neural function. In an
alternative embodiment in which neuroplasticity is not occurring in
the brain, an aspect is to induce neuroplasticity at a stimulation
site where it is expected to occur. This particular procedure may
thus induce a change in the neural activity to instigate
performance of the neural function. Several embodiments of these
methods are expected to produce a lasting effect on the intended
neural activity at the stimulation site.
[0033] The specific details of certain embodiments of the invention
are set forth in the following description and in FIGS. 1-21 to
provide a thorough understanding of these embodiments to a person
of ordinary skill in the art. More specifically, several
embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention are
initially described with reference to FIGS. 1-15, and then several
embodiments of devices for stimulating the cortical and/or
deep-brain regions of the brain are described with reference to
FIGS. 16-21. A person skilled in the art will understand that the
present invention may have additional embodiments, or that the
invention can be practiced without several of the details described
below.
[0034] A. Methods for Electrically Stimulating Regions of the
Brain
1. EMBODIMENTS OF ELECTRICALLY ENHANCING NEURAL ACTIVITY
[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of several neurons
N1-N3 and FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating an "action potential"
related to neural activity in a normal neuron. Neural activity is
governed by electrical impulses generated in neurons. For example,
neuron N1 can send excitatory inputs to neuron N2 (e.g., times
t.sub.1, t.sub.3 and t.sub.4 in FIG. 2), and neuron N3 can send
inhibitory inputs to neuron N2 (e.g., time t.sub.2 in FIG. 2). The
neurons receive/send excitatory and inhibitory inputs from/to a
population of other neurons. The excitatory and inhibitory inputs
can produce "action potentials" in the neurons, which are
electrical pulses that travel through neurons by changing the flux
of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) ions across the cell membrane. An
action potential occurs when the resting membrane potential of the
neuron surpasses a threshold level. When this threshold level is
reached, an "all-or-nothing" action potential is generated. For
example, as shown in FIG. 2, the excitatory input at time t.sub.5
causes neuron N2 to "fire" an action potential because the input
exceeds the threshold level for generating the action potential.
The action potentials propagate down the length of the axon (the
long process of the neuron that makes up nerves or neuronal tracts)
to cause the release of neurotransmitters from that neuron that
will further influence adjacent neurons.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method 100 for
effectuating a neural-function in a patient in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention. The neural-function, for example, can
control a specific mental process or physiological function, such
as a particular motor function or sensory function (e.g., movement
of a limb) that is normally associated with neural activity at a
"normal" location in the brain according to the functional
organization of the brain. In several embodiments of the method
100, at least some neural activity related to the neural-function
can be occurring at a site in the brain. The site of the neural
activity may be at the normal location where neural activity
typically occurs to carry out the neural-function according to the
functional organization of the brain, or the site of the neural
activity may be at a different location where the brain has
recruited material to perform the neural activity. One aspect of
several embodiments of the method 100 includes determining the
location in the brain where the neural activity related to the
neural-function is present. In several other embodiments of the
method 100, one need not determine where the neural activity is
already present. Instead, a site may be selected where the brain is
likely to recruit other neurons to perform this neural activity
without actually determining that the neural activity is already
present at that location.
[0037] The method 100 includes a diagnostic procedure 102 involving
identifying a stimulation site. In one approach, the stimulation
site may be a location of the brain where an intended neural
activity related to the neural-function is or is expected to be
present. In another approach, the stimulation site may be a
location of the brain that supports or is expected to support the
intended neural-function.
[0038] The diagnostic procedure 102 may include identifying one or
more exterior anatomical landmarks on the patient that correspond
to such neurological regions and/or structures within the brain.
The external anatomical landmarks serve as reference points for
locating a structure of the brain where an intended neural activity
may occur. Thus, one aspect of the diagnostic procedure 102 may
include referencing the stimulation site on the brain relative to
external anatomical landmarks.
[0039] More specifically, identifying an anatomical landmark may
include visually determining the location of one or more reference
structures (e.g., visible cranial landmarks), and locating
underlying brain regions or structures (e.g., the motor strip
and/or the Sylvian fissure) relative to the external location of
the reference structures in a manner understood by those skilled in
the art. Such reference structures may include, for example, the
bregma, the midsagittal suture, and/or other well-known cranial
landmarks. The methods for locating the underlying brain structure
typically involve measuring distances and angles relative to the
cerebral topography as known in the art of neurosurgery.
[0040] In another embodiment, the diagnostic procedure 102 includes
generating the intended neural activity in the brain from a
"peripheral" location that is remote from the normal location, and
then determining where the intended neural activity is actually
present in the brain. In an alternative embodiment, the diagnostic
procedure 102 can be performed by identifying a stimulation site
where neural activity has changed in response to a change in the
neural-function. For example, the patient's brain may be scanned
for neural activity associated with the impaired neural-function as
the patient regains use of an affected limb or learns a task over a
period of time. In yet another embodiment, the diagnostic procedure
102 may involve identifying a stimulation site where a corollary
neural activity is present. This corollary neural activity may
correspond to an unaffected or unimpaired physiological function or
mental process that is a counterpart or corollary to an impaired or
affected physiological function or mental process, e.g., movement
of an unimpaired limb that is contralateral to an impaired
homotypic limb.
[0041] The method 100 continues with an implanting procedure 104
involving positioning first and second electrodes relative to the
identified stimulation site, and a stimulating procedure 106
involving applying an electrical current between the first and
second electrodes. Many embodiments of the implanting procedure 104
position two or more electrodes at the stimulation site, but other
embodiments of the implanting procedure involve positioning only
one electrode at the stimulation site and another electrode
remotely from the stimulation site. As such, the implanting
procedure 104 of the method 100 can include implanting at least one
electrode at the stimulation site. The procedures 102-106 are
described in greater detail below.
[0042] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate a specific embodiment of the diagnostic
procedure 102. The diagnostic procedure 102 can be used to
determine a region of the brain where stimulation will likely
facilitate or effectuate the desired function, such as
rehabilitating a loss of a neural-function caused by a stroke,
trauma, disease or other circumstance. FIG. 4, more specifically,
is an image of a normal, healthy brain 200 having a first region
210 in a first hemisphere 202 where the intended neural activity
occurs to effectuate a specific neural-function in accordance with
the functional organization of the brain. The first region 210 can
have a high-intensity area 212 and a low-intensity area 214 in
which different levels of neural activity occur. It is not
necessary to obtain an image of the neural activity in the first
region 210 shown in FIG. 4 to carry out the diagnostic procedure
102, but rather it is provided to show an example of neural
activity that typically occurs at a "normal location" according to
the functional organization of the brain 200 for a large percentage
of people with normal brain function. The actual location of the
first region 210 may vary somewhat between individual patients, but
those skilled in the art recognize that the location of this first
region 210 will bear a fairly predictable spatial relationship with
respect to anatomical features of the patient's skull for a
majority of individuals.
[0043] The brain 200 of FIG. 4 also indicates neural activity in a
second region 211 in a second hemisphere 204 of the brain. In
general, each hemisphere 202, 204 of the brain 200 is responsible
for exerting primary or majority control over motor and/or sensory
functions on the opposing or "contralateral" side of the patient's
body. For example, the neural activity in the first region 210
shown in FIG. 4 may be generally associated with the movement of
fingers on a patient's right hand, whereas the second region 211 in
the right hemisphere 204 may be generally associated with movement
of fingers on the patient's left hand. This second region 211, like
the first region 210, may have a high-intensity area 213 and a
low-intensity area 215 in which different levels of neural activity
related to movement of the patient's left-hand fingers occur. The
first region 210 may be associated with a body part or parts (in
this example, the fingers of the right hand) and the second region
211 may be associated with a contralateral homotypic body part (in
this case the fingers of the left hand), i.e., another body part
having the same or an analogous structure or function as, but
contralateral to, the first body part. This is one example of a
body function (movement of the left fingers) that may be a
corollary to another body function (movement of the right
fingers).
[0044] The neural activity in the first region 210, however, can be
impaired. In one embodiment, the diagnostic procedure 102 begins by
taking an image of the brain 200 that is capable of detecting
neural activity to determine whether the intended neural activity
associated with the particular neural function of interest is
occurring at the region of the brain 200 where it normally occurs
according to the functional organization of the brain. FIG. 5 is an
exemplary image of the brain 200 after the first region 210 has
been affected (e.g., from a stroke, trauma or other cause). As
shown in FIG. 5, the neural activity that controlled the
neural-function for moving the fingers of the right hand no longer
occurs in the first region 210. The first region 210 is thus
"inactive," which is expected to result in a corresponding loss of
the movement and/or sensation in the fingers. In some instances,
the damage to the brain 200 may result in only a partial loss of
the neural activity in the damaged region. In either case, the
image shown in FIG. 5 establishes that the loss of the
neural-function is related to the diminished neural activity in the
first region 210. The brain 200 may accordingly recruit other
neurons to perform neural activity for the affected neural-function
(i.e., neuroplasticity), or the neural activity may not be present
at any location in the brain. As suggested in FIG. 5, a corollary
neural function associated with the contralateral homotypic body
part (in this case, movement of the fingers of the left hand),
which is associated with the second region 211, may remain largely
unimpaired. It is worth noting that the second region 211
associated with the corollary body function is at a contralateral
homotopic location to the first region 210, i.e., the location of
the second region 211 on the second hemisphere 204 is homologous or
generally corresponds to the location of the second region 210 on
the first hemisphere 202.
[0045] FIG. 6 is an image of the brain 200 illustrating a plurality
of potential stimulation sites 220 and 230 for effectuating the
neural-function that was originally performed in the first region
210 shown in FIG. 4. FIGS. 5 and 6 show an example of
neuroplasticity in which the brain compensates for a loss of
neural-function in one region of the brain by recruiting other
regions of the brain to perform neural activity for carrying out
the affected neural-function. It is worth noting that a first
potential stimulation site 220 is in the same hemisphere 202 as the
first region 210 shown in FIG. 4. Since this first stimulation site
220 is on the same side of the body as the first region 210, it may
be referred to as being "ipsilateral" to the first region 210. As
the first region 210 in the left hemisphere 202 of the brain
controls movement on the right side of the body, this first
potential stimulation site 220 also may be said to be contralateral
to the body function impaired by the inactive status of the first
region 210. The second potential stimulation site 230, in contrast,
is in the right hemisphere 204 of the brain 200 and is therefore
contralateral to the first region 210 and ipsilateral to the
impaired body function associated with the first region 210.
[0046] The two hemispheres 202 and 204 of the brain 200 are
connected via the corpus callosum, which facilitates information
transfer between the hemispheres 202 and 204. Although each
hemisphere 202 or 204 generally exerts majority control over motor
and/or sensory functions on the opposite or contralateral side of
the patient's body, each hemisphere typically also exerts some
level of control and/or influence over motor and/or sensory
functions on the same or ipsilateral side of the patient's body.
Moreover, through transcallosal connections, neural activity in one
hemisphere may influence neural activity, e.g., neuroplasticity, in
the opposite hemisphere. The location in the brain 200 that exerts
influence on an ipsilateral body function frequently is proximate
to or subsumed within the location of the brain associated with a
corollary body function. Hence, as suggested in FIG. 6, the second
potential stimulation site 230, which is ipsilateral to the body
function associated with the inactive first region 210, may lie
within the second region 211 of the brain. As discussed above in
connection with FIG. 4, this second region 211 may be associated
with a corollary to the impaired body function. In the particular
example mentioned above wherein the first region 210 (which resides
within the left hemisphere 202) is associated with movement of the
fingers of the patient's right hand, the second potential
stimulation site 230 may be positioned proximate to or within a
region of the brain (i.e., the second region 211, which resides
within the right hemisphere 204) associated with movement of the
contralateral homotypic body part, namely the fingers of the
patient's left hand.
[0047] The diagnostic procedure 102 may utilize the neuroplasticity
that occurs in the brain to identify the location of a stimulation
site that is expected to be more responsive to the results of an
electrical, magnetic, sonic, genetic, biologic, and/or
pharmaceutical procedure to effectuate the desired neural-function.
One embodiment of the diagnostic procedure 102 involves generating
the intended neural activity remotely from the first region 210 of
the brain, and then detecting or sensing the location in the brain
where the intended neural activity has been generated. The intended
neural activity can be generated by applying an input that causes a
signal to be sent to the brain. For example, in the case of a
patient having an impaired limb, the affected limb is moved and/or
stimulated while the brain is scanned using a known imaging
technique that can detect neural activity (e.g., functional MRI,
positron emission tomography, etc.). In one specific embodiment,
the affected limb can be moved by a practitioner or the patient,
stimulated by sensory tests (e.g., pricking), or subject to
peripheral electrical stimulation. The movement/stimulation of the
affected limb produces a peripheral neural signal from the limb
that is expected to generate a response neural activity in the
brain. The location in the brain where this response neural
activity is present can be identified using the imaging technique.
FIG. 6, for example, can be created by moving the affected fingers
and then noting where neural activity occurs in response to the
peripheral stimulus. By peripherally generating the intended neural
activity, this embodiment may accurately identify where the brain
has recruited matter (i.e., sites 220 and 230) to perform the
intended neural activity associated with the neural-function.
[0048] Several particular embodiments for peripherally generating
the intended neural activity are expected to be useful for
therapies that involve patients who have lost volitional control of
a body part. Volitional movement of a body part involves several
parts of the cortex. For example, the prefrontal cortex is where
the decision to move the body part occurs, the pre-motor cortex
then generates the particular instructions for performing the
movement, and the motor cortex then uses these instructions to send
the appropriate electrical pulses to the body part via the spinal
cord. The loss of volitional movement of a body part is usually
caused by damage to the motor cortex. Some of the following
embodiments for generating the intended neural activity may locate
the site on the cortex where the brain is recruiting neurons
related to the functionality of the impaired body part even though
the patient is incapable of moving it.
[0049] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of one embodiment of the diagnostic
procedure 102 (FIG. 3) in which the intended neural activity is
generated peripherally. This embodiment includes a generating phase
110 involving passively moving the impaired body part. A clinician,
for example, can move the impaired body part or massage the muscles
associated with the impaired body part. In an alternate embodiment,
a mechanical device moves the impaired body part, such as physical
therapy equipment that continually and/or intermittently moves
limbs, digits and other body parts. The diagnostic procedure 102
also includes a monitoring phase 112 involving detecting the
location in the cortex where passive movement of the impaired limb
generates neural activity. The monitoring phase 112 is typically
performed before, during, and after the generating phase 110. In
one particular embodiment, the monitoring phase 112 involves: (a)
imaging the neural activity in the brain using functional MRI
before passively moving the impaired body part to provide a
baseline indication of brain activity; (b) passively moving the
impaired body part in the generating phase 110 while imaging the
brain; and (c) determining the site where neural activity occurs in
response to the passive movement of the impaired body part.
[0050] The passive movement of the impaired body part is expected
to provide a good indication of the location in the cortex where
the brain is performing neural activity that controls the impaired
body part. Passively moving the impaired body part produces neural
signals that travel through the spinal cord to the cortex. The
neural signals then produce neural activity at a site in the brain
that is associated with the function of the impaired body part. In
one embodiment, this neural activity defines the "intended neural
activity." The site of the intended neural activity generated by
the passive movement of the impaired body part correlates well with
active movement of the impaired body part. Thus, by passively
moving an impaired body part and monitoring the intended neural
activity that occurs in response to the passive motion, the
location of the intended neural activity allows one to select, in
selection phase 114, the stimulation site for applying an
electrical therapy or another type of therapy.
[0051] As suggested in FIG. 6, neural activity may occur in more
than one region of the brain in response to actively or passively
moving the impaired body part. In general, the location at which
this neural activity occurs may involve neural matter that is
healthier than the neural matter associated with a lost or impaired
neural function, e.g., the inactive region 210. Stimulation at such
a healthier location may enhance the rate and/or extent of
functional restoration of the desired neural-function. Moreover,
healthier neural matter may be more sensitive or responsive to
lower intensity stimulation than is damaged, impaired, or less
healthy neural matter. Thus, stimulation of such healthier tissue
may provide therapeutic benefit at a lower current level than
stimulation applied to or proximate damaged or impaired neural
matter, such as inactive region 210. As will become more evident
below, the ability to employ a lower current level to achieve the
same therapeutic benefit may conserve power or extend the battery
life of a stimulation apparatus.
[0052] In the particular example of FIG. 6, a first potential
stimulation site 220 is contralateral to the impaired body part and
is in the same hemisphere 202 of the brain as the damaged first
region (210 in FIG. 4) of the brain 200. A second potential
stimulation site 230 is located in the other hemisphere 204 and is
ipsilateral to the impaired body part that is being passively
moved. In many circumstances, the second hemisphere 204 of the
brain will be largely unaffected by the underlying cause of damage
to the first region 210. For example, a stroke leading to
inactivity in the first region 210 may cause little or no damage in
the second hemisphere 204.
[0053] In circumstances where neural activity occurs at multiple
locations in response to moving the impaired body part, the
selection phase 114 may further include selecting one or more of
the areas of the brain exhibiting such neural activity as a
stimulation site. In one particular embodiment, the selection phase
114 includes selecting a stimulation site from a plurality of
potential stimulation sites exhibiting such neural activity that is
contralateral to a damaged location of the brain and ipsilateral to
an impaired body function. Hence, in the specific example of FIG.
6, the selection phase 114 may comprise selecting the second
potential stimulation site 230 as the intended stimulation site.
The first potential stimulation site 220 is positioned closer to
the damaged first region 210 and may not be quite as healthy as the
second potential stimulation site 230, which is in the undamaged
hemisphere 204 contralateral to the damaged hemisphere. As such
healthier tissue may be more responsive to neural stimulation, it
is anticipated that selecting an intended stimulation site at a
location that is contralateral to the damaged brain tissue may
provide enhance therapeutic benefits or may provide therapeutic
benefit at a lower current level.
[0054] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of another embodiment of the
diagnostic procedure 102. In this embodiment, the diagnostic
procedure 102 includes a generating phase 140 that involves
exercising a body function that is a corollary to an impaired body
function. In the context of a procedure wherein the impaired body
function is impaired movement of a body part, this generating phase
140 may include identifying a corresponding movement of a
contralateral homotypic body part and moving that homotypic body
part. Using the same example discussed above, if the patient is
suffering from impaired function of the fingers of his or her right
hand, the fingers of the left hand may be considered an appropriate
contralateral homotypic body part and the generating phase 140 may
include movement of the fingers of the left hand.
[0055] Movement of the contralateral homotypic body part can be
accomplished in a variety of ways. In some of the embodiments
discussed above, the patient may have little or no volitional
control over movement of an impaired body part, necessitating
intervention by an operator or a device to move the impaired body
part. Because the contralateral homotypic body part often will have
largely unimpaired function, movement of the homotypic body part in
the generating phase 140 may be volitional movement of the body
part by the patient. For example, the patient may be requested to
flex or otherwise move the fingers of the left hand. In another
embodiment, the contralateral homotypic body part may be moved
passively as discussed above in connection with FIG. 7, such as by
having a clinician move the homotypic body part, stimulating the
muscles associated with the homotypic body part, or by employing a
mechanical device.
[0056] The diagnostic procedure 102 of FIG. 8 also includes a
monitoring phase 142. This monitoring phase 142 includes detecting
neural activity that occurs in response to movement of the
contralateral homotypic body part in the generating phase 140. This
may be accomplished by monitoring neural activity in the brain
while performing the generating phase in a manner analogous to the
monitoring phase 112 discussed above. Using the information
gathered in the monitoring phase 142, a suitable stimulation site
may be selected in the selection phase 144 of FIG. 8. If neural
activity is detected at multiple locations in the brain during the
monitoring phase 142, the selection phase 144 may include selecting
one of those locations as a stimulation site. In some
circumstances, movement of the contralateral homotypic body part
may generate neural activity in both hemispheres 202 and 204 of the
brain. In such a circumstance, the selection phase 144 in some
embodiments comprises selecting as a stimulation site a location on
the brain that is ipsilateral to the impaired body function and
contralateral to a damaged portion of the brain, e.g., the first
region 210 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0057] In another embodiment, a generating phase (not shown) may
instead comprise volitional exercise of the actual impaired body
function. For example, to enhance the ability to learn a particular
task (e.g., playing a musical instrument or memorizing
information), the neural activity may be monitored (in a manner
analogous to the monitoring phase 142 of FIG. 8) while the patient
performs the task or thinks about performing the task. The
potential stimulation sites can be identified in the selection
phase as those areas of the brain where the neural activity has the
highest intensity or the greatest increases, or those areas of the
brain that other parameters indicate are being used to perform the
particular task. As in the prior embodiments, the selection phase
may comprise selecting a stimulation site at a location of the
brain that is ipsilateral to the impaired body function (if the
impaired body function is associated with one side of the body or
the other) and/or contralateral to a damaged location of the brain.
For example, if the deficit or impaired function is associated with
a damaged area in one hemisphere of the brain, the stimulation site
may be selected as a contralateral homotopic location on the
opposite hemisphere of the brain.
[0058] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of another embodiment of the
diagnostic procedure 102. In this embodiment, the diagnostic
procedure 102 includes a generating phase 120 involving
electrically stimulating the muscles of the impaired body part or
of a contralateral homotypic body part. The electrical stimulation
can be performed using transcutaneous or subcutaneous electrodes or
electrical stimulation devices. A transcutaneous device, for
example, can include electrode patches that are applied to the skin
and coupled to a current source. Suitable subcutaneous devices can
include depth electrodes or percutaneous therapy electrodes. Such
electrodes can be flexible, wire-type electrodes or rigid,
needle-type electrodes. The embodiment of the diagnostic procedure
102 also includes a monitoring phase 122 in which the neural
activity in the brain is monitored while performing the generating
phase 120. The monitoring phase 122 can be similar to the
monitoring phase 112 described above. Thus, the monitoring phase
122 determines the site where cortical neural activity occurs in
response to the electrical stimulation of the muscles.
[0059] The embodiment of the diagnostic procedure 102 shown in FIG.
9 that electrically stimulates the muscles may provide
enhanced-accuracy results. One reason for this is that the
electrical current can be applied to only certain muscles without
having to involve other muscles. As a result, it is expected that
there will be less "noise" in the image of the neural activity.
Such a reduction in noise may produce a more accurate indication of
where the neural response is occurring in the brain, facilitating
selection of a suitable stimulation site in a selection phase 124.
As discussed above, in some applications the intended neural
activity may occur at more than one location in the brain,
identifying multiple potential stimulation sites, e.g., potential
stimulation sites 220 and 230 in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the
selection phase 124 may, therefore, comprise selecting a
stimulation site from a plurality of potential stimulation sites
where the intended neural activity occurs. This selection may
comprise selecting a stimulation site that is ipsilateral to the
impaired body part and contralateral to a damaged first location
(210 in FIG. 4) of the brain 200 that is or was associated with the
impaired body function.
[0060] In certain applications of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9,
the muscles of the impaired body part are electrically stimulated.
This can help give a more direct indication of where the intended
neural activity is occurring in the brain. In other applications of
this embodiment, the stimulated muscles are in a homotypic body
part that is contralateral to the impaired body part. In the
embodiment discussed above in connection with FIG. 8, the
neural-function associated with the corollary of an impaired body
function was determined by moving a body part that is a
contralateral homotypic body part to the impaired body part in the
generating phase 140.
[0061] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of yet another embodiment of the
diagnostic procedure 102. In this embodiment, the diagnostic
procedure 102 includes a generating phase 130 involving
electrically stimulating at least one of the nerves of the impaired
body part or a contralateral homotypic body part. The electrical
stimulation of the nerve can be performed using a set of electrodes
that are positioned proximate to the particular nerve(s) in the
selected body part, and then the electrical current is applied to
the electrodes. In one application of the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 10, the electrodes are positioned proximate to the particular
nerves in the impaired body part. Stimulating the nerves in the
impaired body part may give a relatively direct indication of the
pertinent locations of the brain in the monitoring phase 132,
discussed below. In another application, the electrodes may be
positioned proximate to contralateral homotypic nerves in an
unimpaired contralateral homotypic body part.
[0062] The diagnostic procedure 102 in FIG. 10 can also include a
monitoring phase 132, which can be similar to the monitoring phase
112 described above. Thus, the monitoring phase 132 determines the
site where cortical neural activity occurs in response to the
electrical stimulation of the nerves. This determination can then
be used in selecting a suitable stimulation site in a selection
phase 134. As discussed above in connection with the embodiments of
FIGS. 7-9, the selection phase 134 may comprise selecting a
stimulation site from a plurality of potential stimulation sites.
In some embodiments, this selection phase 134 may comprise
selecting a stimulation site within the hemisphere of the brain
that is ipsilateral to the damaged body part and contralateral to a
damaged region of the brain (e.g., the first region 210 in FIG. 6)
that is or was associated with the impaired body part.
[0063] The embodiment of the diagnostic procedure 102 shown in FIG.
10 is also expected to be useful for providing an accurate image of
the intended neural activity in the cortex. Stimulating nerves may
reduce the "noise" of neural activity in the brain correlated with
an impaired body part. Additionally, stimulating the nerves in the
impaired body part may provide an even more precise image of the
response neural activity in the brain because it directly involves
the nervous system without having to involve other features of the
impaired body part.
[0064] Another benefit of several embodiments of the diagnostic
procedures described above with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 is that
they may generate the intended neural activity in highly impaired
body parts. One aspect of severely impaired body parts is that
passive motion of such body parts may not generate neural activity
in the brain. The electrical stimulation of the muscles and/or the
nerves of the impaired body part, however, may provide more
stimulus than merely passively moving the muscles. The electrical
stimulus may thus generate neural activity related to the impaired
body part when passive movement of the impaired body part does not
produce a sufficiently adequate image.
[0065] FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a system 400 for
performing particular diagnostic procedures described above. The
system 400 includes a controller 410, an imaging apparatus 420
coupled to the controller 410, and possibly a pulse generator 430
coupled to the controller 410. The system 400 can also include a
plurality of stimulus elements 432 for providing a stimulus to the
affected body part of the patient P. The procedure described with
respect to FIG. 9 uses the stimulus elements 432 to stimulate the
muscle of the affected body part, whereas the procedure described
with respect to FIG. 10 uses the stimulus elements 432 to stimulate
the nerves of the affected body part. The stimulus elements 432 can
be transcutaneous or subcutaneous electrodes or electrode devices.
The stimulus elements 432 can alternatively be magnetic stimulation
elements that provide magnetic stimuli to the affected body part of
the patient P. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the upper arm is
the affected body part of the patient P. In operation, the
controller 410 instructs the pulse generator 430 to provide a
stimulus to the affected body part via the stimulus elements 432.
As the stimulus is applied to the affected body part, the imaging
apparatus 420 monitors the neural activity in the patient P and
generates data corresponding to the observed neural activity.
[0066] FIG. 12 is a flow chart of still another embodiment of the
diagnostic procedure 102 in accordance with the invention. In this
embodiment, the diagnostic procedure 102 includes a generating
phase 150 involving stimulating an area on the cortex at a
supra-threshold level, and a monitoring phase 152 involving
determining whether the supra-threshold stimulation produced a
response in the impaired body part. In one embodiment, the
generating phase 150 involves stimulating one or more cortical
regions using a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) device. In
another embodiment, the generating phase 150 can include implanting
an electrode array having a plurality of electrodes to which an
electrical current can be applied independently. The region of the
cortex for implanting the electrode array can be based upon an
estimate of the area where the brain is likely to perform the
neural activity to control the impaired body part. After implanting
the electrode array, different configurations of electrodes can be
activated to apply electrical stimulation to different areas of the
cortex. The generating phase 150 also typically includes applying
stimulation at a supra-threshold level that will cause a motor
response, an electrical response, or another type of response that
can be measured at the impaired body part.
[0067] The monitoring phase 152 of this embodiment of the
diagnostic procedure 102 involves measuring the response to the
electrical stimulation that was applied to the cortex in the
generating phase 150. The response can be detected using electrical
sensors at the impaired body part or by detecting movement of the
impaired body part. If no response is detected, then the particular
area of the cortex to which the stimulation was applied is not
likely the motor control area of the cortex associated with
performing neural activity for the impaired body part. The
diagnostic procedure 102 can accordingly further include a decision
phase 153 in which the practitioner or a computer decides to apply
stimulation to another area of the cortex by moving a TMS device to
another location, or selecting another electrode configuration on
the electrode array. If a response is detected at the impaired body
part, then the area of the cortex to which the stimulation was
applied is likely involved in performing the neural function for
the impaired body part. The diagnostic procedure 102 in this
embodiment can also decide to test alternate cortical stimulation
regions or locations at the decision phase 153 even when a response
to the stimulation is detected to further refine the area of the
cortex that is performing the neural activity of the impaired body
part. After testing one or, more typically, several different
cortical stimulation locations, the diagnostic procedure 102 can
proceed to the selection phase 154 in which the area of the cortex
that provided a desired response in the impaired body part is
selected as the site to apply therapeutic electrical stimulation.
If the generating phase 150 generates neural activity at multiple
locations of the brain, the selection phase 154 may comprise
selecting a stimulation site from these multiple potential
stimulation sites. In one particular embodiment, the selection
phase 154 comprises selecting a stimulation site that is
ipsilateral to an impaired body part and contralateral to a damaged
location of the brain 200 that was formerly associated with the
impaired body part.
[0068] An alternative embodiment of the diagnostic procedure 102
involves identifying a stimulation site at a second location of the
brain where the neural activity has changed in response to a change
in the neural-function of the patient. This embodiment of the
method does not necessarily require that the intended neural
activity be generated by peripherally actuating or stimulating a
body part. For example, the brain can be scanned for neural
activity associated with the impaired neural-function as a patient
regains use of an affected limb or learns a task over a period of
time. This embodiment, however, can also include peripherally
generating the intended neural activity remotely from the brain
explained above.
[0069] In still another embodiment, the diagnostic procedure 102
involves identifying a stimulation site at a location of the brain
where the intended neural activity is developing to perform the
neural-function. This embodiment is similar to the other
embodiments of the diagnostic procedure 102, but it can be used to
identify a stimulation site at (a) the normal region of the brain
where the intended neural activity is expected to occur according
to the functional organization of the brain and/or (b) a different
region where the neural activity occurs because the brain is
recruiting additional matter to perform the neural-function. This
particular embodiment of the method involves monitoring neural
activity at one or more locations where the neural activity occurs
in response to the particular neural-function of interest. For
example, to enhance the ability to learn a particular task (e.g.,
playing a musical instrument, memorizing, etc.), the neural
activity can be monitored while a person performs the task or
thinks about performing the task. The stimulation sites can be
defined by the areas of the brain where the neural activity has the
highest intensity, the greatest increases, and/or other parameters
that indicate areas of the brain that are being used to perform the
particular task.
[0070] FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematic illustrations of the
implanting procedure 104 described above with reference to FIG. 3
for positioning the first and second electrodes relative to a
portion of the brain of a patient 500. Referring to FIG. 13, a
stimulation site 502 is identified in accordance with an embodiment
of the diagnostic procedure 102. In one embodiment, a skull section
504 is removed from the patient 500 adjacent to the stimulation
site 502. The skull section 504 can be removed by boring a hole in
the skull in a manner known in the art, or a much smaller hole can
be formed in the skull using drilling techniques that are also
known in the art. In general, the hole can be 0.24.0 cm in
diameter. Referring to FIG. 14, an implantable stimulation
apparatus 510 having first and second electrodes 520 can be
implanted in the patient 500. Suitable techniques associated with
the implantation procedure are known to practitioners skilled in
the art. After the stimulation apparatus 510 has been implanted in
the patient 500, a pulse system generates electrical pulses that
are transmitted to the stimulation site 502 by the first and second
electrodes 520. Stimulation apparatus suitable for carrying out the
foregoing embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention
are described in more detail below with reference to the FIGS.
16-21.
[0071] Several embodiments of methods for enhancing neural activity
in accordance with the invention are expected to provide lasting
results that promote the desired neural-function. Before the
present invention, electrical and magnetic stimulation techniques
typically stimulated the normal locations of the brain where neural
activity related to the neural-functions occurred according to the
functional organization of the brain. Such conventional techniques,
however, may not be effective because the neurons in the "normal
locations" of the brain may not be capable of carrying out the
neural activity because of brain damage, disease, disorder, and/or
because of variations of the location specific to individual
patients. Several embodiments of methods for enhancing neural
activity in accordance with the invention overcome this drawback by
identifying a stimulation site based on neuroplastic activity that
appears to be related to the neural-function. By first identifying
a location in the brain that is being recruited to perform the
neural activity, it is expected that therapies (e.g., electrical,
magnetic, genetic, biologic, and/or pharmaceutical) applied to this
location will be more effective than conventional techniques. This
is because the location that the brain is recruiting for the neural
activity may not be the "normal location" where the neuro activity
would normally occur according to the functional organization of
the brain. Therefore, several embodiments of methods for enhancing
neural activity in accordance with the invention are expected to
provide lasting results because the therapies are applied to the
portion of the brain where neural activity for carrying out the
neural-function actually occurs in the particular patient.
2. ELECTRICALLY INDUCING DESIRED NEURAL ACTIVITY
[0072] The method 100 for effectuating a neural-function can also
be used to induce neural activity in a region of the brain where
such neural activity is not present. As opposed to the embodiments
of the method 100 described above for enhancing existing neural
activity, the embodiments of the method 100 for inducing neural
activity initiate the neural activity at a stimulation site where
it is estimated that neuroplasticity will occur. In this particular
situation, an image of the brain seeking to locate where
neuroplasticity is occurring may be similar to FIG. 5. An aspect of
inducing neural activity, therefore, is to develop a procedure to
determine where neuroplasticity is likely to occur.
[0073] A stimulation site may be identified by estimating where the
brain will likely recruit neurons for performing the
neural-function. In one embodiment, the location of the stimulation
site is estimated by defining a region of the brain that is
proximate to the normal location where neural activity related to
the neural-function is generally present according to the
functional organization of the brain. An alternative embodiment for
locating the stimulation site includes determining where
neuroplasticity has typically occurred in patients with similar
symptoms. For example, if the brain typically recruits a second
region of the cortex to compensate for a loss of neural activity in
the normal region of the cortex, then the second region of the
cortex can be selected as the stimulation site either with or
without imaging the neural activity in the brain.
[0074] Several embodiments of methods for inducing neural activity
in accordance with the invention are also expected to provide
lasting results that initiate and promote a desired
neural-function. By first estimating the location of a stimulation
site where desired neuroplasticity is expected to occur, therapies
applied to this location may be more effective than conventional
therapies for reasons that are similar to those explained above
regarding enhancing neural activity. Additionally, methods for
inducing neural activity may be easier and less expensive to
implement because they do not require generating neural activity
and/or imaging the brain to determine where the intended neural
activity is occurring before applying the therapy.
3. APPLICATIONS OF METHODS FOR ELECTRICALLY STIMULATING REGIONS OF
THE BRAIN
[0075] The foregoing methods for enhancing existing neural activity
or inducing new neural activity are expected to be useful for many
applications. As explained above, several embodiments of the method
100 involve determining an efficacious location of the brain to
enhance or induce an intended neural activity that causes the
desired neural-functions to occur. Additional therapies can also be
implemented in combination with the electrical stimulation methods
described above. Several specific applications using embodiments of
electrical stimulation methods in accordance with the invention
either alone or with adjunctive therapies will now be described,
but it will be appreciated that the methods in accordance with the
invention can be used in many additional applications.
a. General Applications
[0076] The embodiments of the electrical stimulation methods
described above are expected to be particularly useful for
rehabilitating a loss of mental functions, motor functions and/or
sensory functions caused by damage to the brain. In a typical
application, the brain has been damaged by a stroke or trauma
(e.g., automobile accident). The extent of the particular brain
damage can be assessed using functional MRI or another appropriate
imaging technique as explained above with respect to FIG. 5. A
stimulation site can then be identified by: (a) peripherally
stimulating a body part that was affected by the brain damage to
induce the intended neural activity and determining the location
where a response neural activity occurs; (b) determining where the
neural activity has changed as a patient gains more use of the
affected body part; (c) estimating the location that the brain may
recruit neurons to carry out the neural activity that was
previously performed by the damaged portion of the brain; and/or
(d) determining a location in the brain hemisphere ipsilateral to
the affected body part that is associated with a function that is a
corollary to an impaired function of the affected body part. An
electrical stimulation therapy can then be applied to the selected
stimulation site by placing the first and second electrodes
relative to the stimulation site to apply an electrical current in
that portion of the brain. As explained in more detail below, it is
expected that applying an electrical current to the portion of the
brain that has been recruited to perform the neural activity
related to the affected body part will produce a lasting
neurological effect for rehabilitating the affected body part.
[0077] Several specific applications are expected to have a
stimulation site in the cortex because neural activity in this part
of the brain effectuates motor functions and/or sensory functions
that are typically affected by a stroke or trauma. In these
applications, the electrical stimulation can be applied directly to
the pial surface of the brain or at least proximate to the pial
surface (e.g., the dura mater, the fluid surrounding the cortex, or
neurons within the cortex). Suitable devices for applying the
electrical stimulation to the cortex are described in detail with
reference to FIGS. 16-21.
[0078] The electrical stimulation methods can also be used with
adjunctive therapies to rehabilitate damaged portions of the brain.
In one embodiment, the electrical stimulation methods can be
combined with behavioral therapy and/or drug therapies to
rehabilitate an affected neural function. For example, if a stroke
patient has lost the use of a limb, the patient can be treated by
applying the electrical therapy to a stimulation site where the
intended neural activity is present while the affected limb is also
subject to physical therapy. An alternative embodiment can involve
applying the electrical therapy to the stimulation site and
chemically treating the patient using amphetamines or other
suitable drugs.
[0079] The embodiments of the electrical stimulation methods
described above are also expected to be useful for treating brain
diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other brain
diseases. In this application, the stimulation site can be
identified by monitoring the neural activity using functional MRI
or other suitable imaging techniques over a period of time to
determine where the brain is recruiting material to perform the
neural activity that is being affected by the disease. It may also
be possible to identify the stimulation site by having the patient
try to perform an act that the particular disease has affected, and
monitoring the brain to determine whether any response neural
activity is present in the brain. After identifying where the brain
is recruiting additional matter, the electrical stimulation can be
applied to this portion of the brain. It is expected that
electrically stimulating the regions of the brain that have been
recruited to perform the neural activity which was affected by the
disease will assist the brain in offsetting the damage caused by
the disease.
[0080] The embodiments of the electrical stimulation methods
described above are also expected to be useful for treating
neurological disorders, such as depression, passive-aggressive
behavior, weight control, and other disorders. In these
applications, the electrical stimulation can be applied to a
stimulation site in the cortex or another suitable part of the
brain where neural activity related to the particular disorder is
present. The embodiments of electrical stimulation methods for
carrying out the particular therapy can be adapted to either
increase or decrease the particular neural activity in a manner
that produces the desired results. For example, an amputee may feel
phantom sensations associated with the amputated limb. This
phenomenon can be treated by applying an electrical pulse that
reduces the phantom sensations. The electrical therapy can be
applied so that it will modulate the ability of the neurons in that
portion of the brain to execute sensory functions.
b. Pulse Forms and Potentials
[0081] The electrical stimulation methods in accordance with the
invention can use several different pulse forms to facilitate or
effectuate the desired neuroplasticity. The pulses can be a
bi-phasic or monophasic stimulus that is applied to achieve a
desired potential in a sufficient percentage of a population of
neurons at the stimulation site. In one embodiment, the pulse form
has a frequency of approximately 2-1000 Hz, but the frequency may
be particularly useful in the range of approximately 40-200 Hz. For
example, initial clinical trials are expected to use a frequency of
approximately 50-100 Hz. The pulses can also have pulse widths of
approximately 10 .mu.s-100 ms, or more specifically the pulse width
can be approximately 20-200 .mu.s. For example, a pulse width of
50-100 .mu.s may produce beneficial results.
[0082] It is expected that one particularly useful application of
the invention involves enhancing or inducing neuroplasticity by
raising the membrane potential of neurons to bring the neurons
closer to the threshold level for firing an action potential.
Because the stimulation raises the membrane potential of the
neurons, it is expected that these neurons are more likely to
"fire" an action potential in response to excitatory input at a
lower level.
[0083] FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating applying a subthreshold
potential to the neurons N1-N3 of FIG. 1. At times t.sub.1 and
t.sub.2, the excitory/inhibitory inputs from other neurons do not
"bridge-the-gap" from the resting potential at -X mV to the
threshold potential. At time t.sub.3, the electrical stimulation is
applied to the brain to raise the potential of neurons in the
stimulated population such that their potential is at -Y mV. As
such, at time t.sub.4 when the neurons receive another excitatory
input, even a small input exceeds the gap between the raised
potential -Y mV and the threshold potential to induce action
potentials in these neurons. For example, if the resting potential
is approximately -70 mV and the threshold potential is
approximately -50 mV, then the electrical stimulation can be
applied to raise the potential of a sufficient number of neurons to
approximately -52 to -60 mV.
[0084] The actual electrical potential applied to electrodes
implanted in the brain to achieve a subthreshold potential
stimulation will vary according to the individual patient, the type
of therapy, the type of electrodes, and other factors. In general,
the pulse form of the electrical stimulation (e.g., the frequency,
pulse width, wave form, and voltage potential) is selected to raise
the potential in a sufficient number neurons at the stimulation
site to a level that is less than a threshold potential for a
statistical portion of the neurons in the population. The pulse
form, for example, can be selected so that the applied voltage of
the stimulus achieves a change in the potential of approximately
10%-95%, and more specifically of 60%-80%, of the difference
between the unstimulated resting potential and the threshold
potential.
[0085] In one specific example of a subthreshold application for
treating a patient's hand, electrical stimulation is not initially
applied to the stimulation site. Although physical therapy related
to the patient's hand may cause some activation of a particular
population of neurons that is known to be involved in "hand
function," only a low level of activation might occur because
physical therapy only produces a low level of action potential
generation in that population of neurons. However, when the
subthreshold electrical stimulation is applied, the membrane
potentials of the neurons in the stimulated population are
elevated. These neurons now are much closer to the threshold for
action potential formation such that when the same type of physical
therapy is given, this population of cells will have a higher level
of activation because these cells are more likely to fire action
potentials.
[0086] Subthreshold stimulation may produce better results than
simply stimulating the neurons with sufficient energy levels to
exceed the threshold for action potential formation. One aspect of
subthreshold stimulation is to increase the probability that action
potentials will occur in response to the ordinary causes of
activation--such as behavioral therapy. This will allow the neurons
in this functional network to become entrained together, or "learn"
to become associated with these types of activities. If neurons are
given so much electricity that they continually fire action
potentials without additional excitatory inputs (suprathreshold
stimulation), this will create "noise" and disorganization that
will not likely cause improvement in function. In fact, neurons
that are "overdriven" soon deplete their neurotransmitters and
effectively become silent.
[0087] The application, of a subthreshold stimulation is very
different than suprathreshold stimulation. Subthreshold stimulation
in accordance with several embodiments of the invention, for
example, does not intend to directly make neurons fire action
potentials with the electrical stimulation in a significant
population of neurons at the stimulation site. Instead,
subthreshold stimulation attempts to decrease the "activation
energy" required to activate a large portion of the neurons at the
stimulation site. As such, subthreshold stimulation in accordance
with certain embodiments of the invention is expected to increase
the probability that the neurons will fire in response to the usual
intrinsic triggers, such as trying to move a limb, physical
therapy, or simply thinking about movement of a limb, etc.
Moreover, coincident stimulation associated with physical therapy
is expected to increase the probability that the action potentials
that are occurring with an increased probability due to the
subthreshold stimulation will be related to meaningful triggers,
and not just "noise."
[0088] The stimulus parameters set forth above, such as a frequency
selection of approximately 50-100 Hz and an amplitude sufficient to
achieve an increase of 60% to 80% of the difference between the
potential and the threshold potential are specifically selected so
that they will increase the resting membrane potential of the
neurons, thereby increasing the likelihood that they will fire
action potentials, without directly causing action potentials in
most of the neuron population. In addition, and as explained in
more detail below with respect to FIGS. 16-21, several embodiments
of stimulation apparatus in accordance with the invention are
designed to precisely apply a pulse form that produces subthreshold
stimulation by selectively stimulating regions of the cerebral
cortex of approximately 1-2 cm (the estimated size of a "functional
unit" of cortex), directly contacting the pial surface with the
electrodes to consistently create the same alterations in resting
membrane potential, and/or biasing the electrodes against the pial
surface to provide a positive connection between the electrodes and
the cortex.
[0089] B. Devices for Electrically Stimulating Regions of the
Brain
[0090] FIGS. 16-21 illustrate stimulation apparatus in accordance
with several embodiments of the invention for electrically
stimulating regions of the brain in accordance with one or more of
the methods described above. The devices illustrated in FIGS. 16-21
are generally used to stimulate a region of the cortex proximate to
the pial surface of the brain (e.g., the dura mater, the pia mater,
the fluid between the dura mater and the pia mater, and a depth in
the cortex outside of the white matter of the brain). The devices
can also be adapted for stimulating other portions of the brain in
other embodiments. A variety of other useful stimulation apparatus
are detailed in U.S. Patent Application Publication US
2002/0087201, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by
reference. In addition, other suitable stimulation apparatus may be
apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present
disclosure.
1. IMPLANTABLE STIMULATION APPARATUS WITH INTEGRATED PULSE
SYSTEMS
[0091] FIG. 16 is an isometric view and FIG. 17 is a
cross-sectional view of a stimulation apparatus 600 in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention for stimulating a region of the
cortex proximate to the pial surface. In one embodiment, the
stimulation apparatus 600 includes a support member 610, an
integrated pulse-system 630 (shown schematically) carried by the
support member 610, and first and second electrodes 660 (identified
individually by reference numbers 660a and 660b). The first and
second electrodes 660 are electrically coupled to the pulse system
630. The support member 610 can be configured to be implanted into
the skull or another intracranial region of a patient. In one
embodiment, for example, the support member 610 includes a housing
612 and an attachment element 614 connected to the housing 612. The
housing 612 can be a molded casing formed from a biocompatible
material that has an interior cavity for carrying the pulse system
630. The housing can alternatively be a biocompatible metal or
another suitable material. The housing 612 can have a diameter of
approximately 14 cm, and in many applications the housing 612 can
be 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter. The housing 612 can also have other
shapes (e.g., rectilinear, oval, elliptical) and other surface
dimensions. The stimulation apparatus 600 can weigh 35 g or less
and/or occupy a volume of 20 cc or less. The attachment element 614
can be a flexible cover, a rigid plate, a contoured cap, or another
suitable element for holding the support member 610 relative to the
skull or other body part of the patient. In one embodiment, the
attachment element 614 is a mesh, such as a biocompatible polymeric
mesh, metal mesh, or other suitable woven material. The attachment
element 614 can alternatively be a flexible sheet of Mylar, a
polyester, or another suitable material.
[0092] FIG. 17, more specifically, is a cross-sectional view of the
stimulation apparatus 600 after it has been implanted into a
patient in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this
particular embodiment, the stimulation apparatus 600 is implanted
into the patient by forming an opening in the scalp 702 and cutting
a hole 704 through the skull 700 and through the dura mater 706.
The hole 704 should be sized to receive the housing 612 of the
support member 610, and in most applications, the hole 704 should
be smaller than the attachment element 614. A practitioner inserts
the support member 610 into the hole 704 and then secures the
attachment element 614 to the skull 700. The attachment element 614
can be secured to the skull using a plurality of fasteners 618
(e.g., screws, spikes, etc.) or an adhesive. In an alternative
embodiment, a plurality of downwardly depending spikes can be
formed integrally with the attachment element 614 to define anchors
that can be driven into the skull 700.
[0093] The embodiment of the stimulation apparatus 600 shown in
FIG. 17 is configured to be implanted into a patient so that the
electrodes 660 contact a desired portion of the brain at the
stimulation site. The housing 612 and the electrodes 660 can
project from the attachment element 614 by a distance "D" such that
the electrodes 660 are positioned at least proximate to the pia
mater 708 surrounding the cortex 709. The electrodes 660 can
project from a housing 612 as shown in FIG. 17, or the electrodes
660 can be flush with the interior surface of the housing 612. In
the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the housing 612 has a
thickness "T" and the electrodes 660 project from the housing 612
by a distance "P" so that the electrodes 660 press against the
surface of the pia mater 708. The thickness of the housing 612 can
be approximately 0.54 cm, and is more generally about 1-2 cm. The
configuration of the stimulation apparatus 600 is not limited to
the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, but rather the housing
612, the attachment element 614, and the electrodes 660 can be
configured to position the electrodes in several different regions
of the brain. For example, in an alternate embodiment, the housing
612 and the electrodes 660 can be configured to position the
electrodes deep within the cortex 709, and/or a deep brain region
710. In general, the electrodes can be flush with the housing or
extend 0.1 mm to 5 cm from the housing. More specific embodiments
of pulse system and electrode configurations for the stimulation
apparatus will be described below.
[0094] Several embodiments of the stimulation apparatus 600 are
expected to be more effective than existing transcranial electrical
stimulation devices and transcranial magnetic stimulation devices.
It will be appreciated that much of the power required for
transcranial therapies is dissipated in the scalp and skull before
it reaches the brain. In contrast to conventional transcranial
stimulation devices, the stimulation apparatus 600 is implanted so
that the electrodes are at least proximate to the pial surface of
the brain 708. Several embodiments of methods in accordance with
the invention can use the stimulation apparatus 600 to apply an
electrical therapy directly to the pia mater 708, the dura mater
706, and/or another portion of the cortex 709 at significantly
lower power levels than existing transcranial therapies. For
example, a potential of approximately 1 mV to 10 V can be applied
to the electrodes 660; in many instances a potential of 100 mV to 5
V can be applied to the electrodes 660 for selected applications.
It will also be appreciated that other potentials can be applied to
the electrodes 660 of the stimulation apparatus 600 in accordance
with other embodiments of the invention.
[0095] Selected embodiments of the stimulation apparatus 600 are
also capable of applying stimulation to a precise stimulation site.
Again, because the stimulation apparatus 600 positions the
electrodes 660 at least proximate to the pial surface 708, precise
levels of stimulation with good pulse shape fidelity will be
accurately transmitted to the stimulation site in the brain. It
will be appreciated that transcranial therapies may not be able to
apply stimulation to a precise stimulation site because the
magnetic and electrical properties of the scalp and skull may vary
from one patient to another such that an identical stimulation by
the transcranial device may produce a different level of
stimulation at the neurons in each patient. Moreover, the ability
to focus the stimulation to a precise area is hindered by
delivering the stimulation transcranially because the scalp, skull
and dura all diffuse the energy from a transcranial device. Several
embodiments of the stimulation apparatus 600 overcome this drawback
because the electrodes 660 are positioned under the skull 700 such
that the pulses generated by the stimulation apparatus 600 are not
diffused by the scalp 702 and skull 700.
2. INTEGRATED PULSE SYSTEMS FOR IMPLANTABLE STIMULATION
APPARATUS
[0096] The pulse system 630 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 generates
and/or transmits electrical pulses to the electrodes 660 to create
an electrical field at a stimulation site in a region of the brain.
The particular embodiment of the pulse system 630 shown in FIG. 17
is an "integrated" unit in that is carried by the support member
610. The pulse system 630, for example, can be housed within the
housing 612 so that the electrodes 660 can be connected directly to
the pulse system 630 without having leads outside of the
stimulation apparatus 600. The distance between the electrodes 660
and the pulse system 630 can be less than 4 cm, and it is generally
0.10 to 2.0 cm. The stimulation apparatus 600 can accordingly
provide electrical pulses to the stimulation site without having to
surgically create tunnels running through the patient to connect
the electrodes 660 to a pulse generator implanted remotely from the
stimulation apparatus 600. It will be appreciated, however, that
alternative embodiments of stimulation apparatus in accordance with
the invention can include a pulse system implanted separately from
the stimulation apparatus 600 in the cranium or an external pulse
system. Several particular embodiments of pulse systems that are
suitable for use with the stimulation apparatus 600 will now be
described in more detail.
[0097] FIGS. 18 and 19 schematically illustrate an integrated pulse
system 800 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention for
being implanted in the cranium within the stimulation apparatus
600. Referring to FIG. 18, the pulse system 800 can include a power
supply 810, an integrated controller 820, a pulse generator 830,
and a pulse transmitter 840. The power supply 810 can be a primary
battery, such as a rechargeable battery or another suitable device
for storing electrical energy. In alternative embodiments, the
power supply 810 can be an RF transducer or a magnetic transducer
that receives broadcast energy emitted from an external power
source and converts the broadcast energy into power for the
electrical components of the pulse system 800. The integrated
controller 820 can be a wireless device that responds to command
signals sent by an external controller 850. The integrated
controller 820, for example, can communicate with the external
controller 850 by RF or magnetic links 860. The integrated
controller 820 provides control signals to the pulse generator 830
in response to the command signals sent by the external controller
850. The pulse generator 830 can have a plurality of channels that
send appropriate electrical pulses to the pulse transmitter 840,
which is coupled to the electrodes 660. Suitable components for the
power supply 810, the integrated controller 820, the pulse
generator 830, and the pulse transmitter 840 are known to persons
skilled in the art of implantable medical devices.
[0098] Referring to FIG. 19, the pulse system 800 can be carried by
the support member 610 of the stimulation apparatus 600 in the
manner described above with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. The
external controller 850 can be located externally to the patient
500 so that the external controller 850 can be used to control the
pulse system 800. In one embodiment, several patients that require
a common treatment can be simultaneously treated using a single
external controller 850 by positioning the patients within the
operating proximity of the controller 850. In an alternative
embodiment, the external controller 850 can contain a plurality of
operating codes and the integrated controller 820 for a particular
patient can have an individual operating code. A single controller
850 can thus be used to treat a plurality of different patients by
entering the appropriate operating code into the controller 850
corresponding to the particular operating codes of the integrated
controllers 820 for the patients.
2. IMPLANTABLE STIMULATION APPARATUS WITH EXTERNAL PULSE
SYSTEMS
[0099] FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one
embodiment of an implantable stimulation apparatus 3100 having
external pulse systems. This stimulation apparatus 3100 has a
biasing element 3150 to which a plurality of electrodes 3160 are
attached. It will be appreciated that the stimulation apparatus
3100 may not include the biasing element 3150, but may instead have
a less flexible arrangement similar to that of the stimulation
apparatus 600 of FIGS. 16-19. The stimulation apparatus 3100 can
also include an external receptacle 3120 having an electrical
socket 3122 and an implanted lead line 3124 coupling the electrodes
3160 to contacts (not shown) in the socket 3122. The lead line 3124
can be implanted in a subcutaneous tunnel or other passageway in a
manner known to a person skilled and art.
[0100] The stimulation apparatus 3100, however, does not have an
internal pulse system carried by the portion of the device that is
implanted in the skull 700 of the patient 500. The stimulation
apparatus 3100 receives electrical pulses from an external pulse
system 3130. The external pulse system 3130 can have an electrical
connector 3132 with a plurality of contacts 3134 configured to
engage the contacts within the receptacle 3120. The external pulse
system 3130 can also have a power supply, controller, pulse
generator, and pulse transmitter to generate the electrical pulses.
In operation, the external pulse system 3130 sends electrical
pulses to the stimulation apparatus 3100 via the connector 3132,
the receptacle 3120, and the lead line 3124.
3. ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS OF IMPLANTABLE STIMULATION APPARATUS
[0101] FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of a stimulation
apparatus 4000 together with an internal pulse system 4030 in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The
stimulation apparatus 4000 can include a support member 4010, a
biasing element 4015 carried by the support member 4010, and a
plurality of electrodes 4020 carried by the biasing element 4015.
The internal pulse system 4030 can be similar to any of the
integrated pulse systems described above with reference to FIGS.
16-19, but the internal pulse system 4030 is not an integrated
pulse system because it is not carried by the housing 4010. The
internal pulse system 4030 can be coupled to the electrodes 4020 by
a cable 4034. In a typical application, the cable 4034 is implanted
subcutaneously in a tunnel from a subclavicular region, along the
back of the neck, and around the skull. The stimulation apparatus
4000 can also include any other suitable electrode
configuration.
[0102] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific
embodiments of the invention have been described herein for
purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be
made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended
claims. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and
other references noted above are incorporated herein by
reference.
* * * * *