Patent · US Expired

Deep brain stimulation method

US5938688A · kind A · utility

515Cited by
2References
33Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 4, 1997
Grant dateAug 17, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 4, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/36082
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present subject matter is directed to a method for treating a conscious. The method includes selecting a conscious patient having impaired cognitive function and applying electrical stimulation to at least a portion of the patient's intralaminar nuclei under conditions effective to relieve the patient's impaired cognitive function. A method for improving coordination of function across a patient's cortical regions is also described. The method includes applying electrical stimulation to two or more subdivisions of the patient's intralaminar nuclei. The two or more subdivisions of the patient's intralaminar nuclei modulate separate cortical regions. Using the methods of the present invention, patients suffering from impaired cognitive function can have at least a portion of the function restored, thus improving their quality of life and reducing societal costs.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.