Patent · US Expired

Extradural leads, neurostimulator assemblies, and processes of using them for somatosensory and brain stimulation

US6529774B1 · kind B1 · utility

302Cited by
94References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 9, 2000
Grant dateMar 4, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 3, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B5/7217
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

This is directed to a neurostimulator assembly that is preferably implantable and is suitable for treating epilepsy and other neurological disorders. The assembly includes inventive leads that are suitable both for providing electrical somatosensory stimulation, extradurally applied, as well as electrical stimulation that is applied to the central nervous system. The leads are preferably also suitable for sensing electrical signals in the brain. The invention includes processes of using the neurostimulator and its leads. The neurostimulator may independently provide a variety of different electrical stimulation, e.g., non-responsive electrical stimulation signals applied to the central nervous system to reduce the likelihood of a seizure or other undesirable neurological even from occurring, electrical stimulation signals applied to the central nervous system when the neurostimulator determines that epileptiform waveforms are impending or extant, and extradural electrical somatosensory stimulation signals. The responsive electrical stimulation signal or signals are intended to terminate epileptiform activity, e.g., to desynchronize abnormally synchronous brain electrical activity.

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