US5683422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for treating neurodegenerative disorders by electrical brain stimulation
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1996-04-25
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Granted: 1997-11-04
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Expires: 2016-04-25
Abstract
Abstract Techniques for stimulating the brain to reduce the effects of neurodegenerative disorders by means of an implantable signal generator and electrode. A sensor is used to detect the symptoms resulting from the disorder. A microprocessor algorithm analyzes the output from the sensor in order to regulate the stimulation delivered to the brain.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark T. Rise
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/3605; A61N1/36128; A61N1/36146; A61N1/36167; A61N1/36171; A61N1/3606; A61N1/36067; A61N1/36082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of therapeutically treating a neurodegenerative disorder by means of a signal generator and an implantable electrode having a proximal end and a stimulation portion comprising the steps of: surgically implanting said electrode in a brain of a patient so that the stimulation portion lies in communication with a predetermined treatment site in the brain, said predetermined treatment site being selected from the group consisting of the ventrolateral thalamus (Thal), internal segment of globus pallidus (GPi), substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), striatopallidal fiber pathway, neostriatum, external segment of globus pallidus (Gpe), and external segment of globus pallidus to subthalamic nucleus fiber pathway; coupling said proximal end of said electrode to said signal generator; and operating said signal generator to stimulate said predetermined treatment site in the brain, whereby the effects of said neurodegenerative disorder are reduced.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of therapeutically treating a neurodegenerative disorder by means of a signal generator and an implantable electrode having a proximal end and a stimulation portion comprising the steps of: surgically implanting said electrode in a brain of a patient so that the stimulation portion lies in communication with a predetermined treatment site in the brain, said predetermined treatment site being selected from the group consisting of the ventrolateral thalamus (Thal), internal segment of globus pallidus (GPi), substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), striatopallidal fiber pathway, neostriatum, external segment of globus pallidus (Gpe), and external segment of globus pallidus to subthalamic nucleus fiber pathway; coupling said proximal end of said electrode to said signal generator; and operating said signal generator to stimulate said predetermined treatment site in the brain, whereby the effects of said neurodegenerative disorder are reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said neurodegenerative disorder is Parkinson's disease and wherein said stimulation is selected to increase thalamic output.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said stimulation increases excitement of the thalamus or decreases inhibition of the thalamus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said stimulation increases inhibition or decreases excitation of said internal segment of globus pallidus (GPi) or substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said stimulation increases excitation or decreases inhibition of said external segment of globus pallidus (GPe).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of operating said signal generator comprises the step of operating said signal generator in a high frequency range of 50 to 2500 Hz and stimulating a portion of the brain selected from the group consisting of the internal segment of globus pallidus (Gpi), substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) and the neostriatum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of operating said signal generator comprises the step of operating said signal generator in a low frequency range of 2 to 100 Hz and stimulating a portion of the brain selected from the group consisting of the ventrolateral thalamus (Thal), striatopallidal fiber pathway, neostriatum, external segment of globus pallidus (Gpe), and external segment of globus pallidus to subthalamic nucleus fiber pathway.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of treating a netrodegenerative disorder characterized by hyperexcitation comprising in combination: implanting a signal generator in a body of a patient; implanting at least one electrode in a brain within said body so that a stimulation portion of said at least one electrode lies in communication with at least one predetermined treatment site in said brain, said at least one predetermined treatment site being selected from group consisting of the ventrolateral thalamus (Thal), internal segment of globus pallidus (GPi), substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), striatopallidal fiber pathway, neostriatum, external segment of globus pallidus (Gpe), and external segment of globus pallidus to subthalamic nucleus fiber pathway; coupling said at least one electrode to said signal generator; stimulating said at least one predetermined treatment site in said brain using said at least one electrode; generating a sensor signal related to the extent of hyperexcitation exhibited by a portion of said brain; and regulating said step of stimulating in response to said sensor signal, whereby stimulation is increased in response to an increase in hyperexcitation of said brain, and is decreased in response to a decrease in hyperexcitation of said brain.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of treating a netrodegenerative disorder characterized by hyperexcitation comprising in combination: implanting a signal generator in a body of a patient; implanting at least one electrode in a brain within said body so that a stimulation portion of said at least one electrode lies in communication with at least one predetermined treatment site in said brain, said at least one predetermined treatment site being selected from group consisting of the ventrolateral thalamus (Thal), internal segment of globus pallidus (GPi), substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), striatopallidal fiber pathway, neostriatum, external segment of globus pallidus (Gpe), and external segment of globus pallidus to subthalamic nucleus fiber pathway; coupling said at least one electrode to said signal generator; stimulating said at least one predetermined treatment site in said brain using said at least one electrode; generating a sensor signal related to the extent of hyperexcitation exhibited by a portion of said brain; and regulating said step of stimulating in response to said sensor signal, whereby stimulation is increased in response to an increase in hyperexcitation of said brain, and is decreased in response to a decrease in hyperexcitation of said brain.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method, as claimed in claim 8, wherein said neurodegenerative disorder is Parkinson's disease and wherein said step of stimulating is preformed to increase thalamic output.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said step of stimulating increases excitement of the thalamus or decreases inhibition of the thalamus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said step of stimulating increases inhibition or decreases excitation of said internal segment of globus pallidus (GPi) or substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said step of stimulating increases excitation or decreases inhibition of said external segment of globus pallidus (Gpe).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method, as claimed in claim 8, wherein said signal generator operates in a high frequency range of 50 to 2500 Hz and said at least one predetermined treatment site in said brain is selected from the group consisting of said internal segment of globus pallidus (Gpi), substantia nigra pars reticulata (Snr), and neostriatum.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method, as claimed in claim 8, wherein said signal generator operates in a low frequency range of 2 to 100 Hz and said at least one predetermined treatment site in said brain is selected from the group consisting of said ventrolateral thalamus (Thal), striatopallidal fiber pathway, neostriatum, external segment of globus pallidus (Gpe), and external segment of globus pallidus to subthalamic nucleus fiber pathway.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3850161A
Cited
US3918461A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-11-03 | 2001-05-05 | 2001-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-03 | 2005-05-05 | 2005-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-03 | 2009-05-05 | 2009-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |