Techniques Using Heat Flow Management, Stimulation, and Signal Analysis to Treat Medical Disorders

This invention pertains to methods of treating a brain disorder using heat transfer, electrical stimulation, or delivery of medication so as to stop or prevent seizures or to improve function of the brain. The method includes surgically implanting a heat pump, stimulating electrodes, or drug delivery system having one or more activity sensor elements into the brain and using it in conjunction with assessment techniques to determine abnormal brain activity. Various assessment techniques include cross-correlation analysis; waveform phase assessment; and quantification of waveform amplitude, slope, curvature, rhythmicity, and frequency. Detection of abnormal activity causes the heat pump to remove heat from the brain tissue thereby cooling a portion of the patient?s brain. Alternatively, abnormal brain activity can cause the electrodes of the stimulating device to deliver one or more biphasic pulses, or deliver the necessary medication in the case of drug delivery. Background Epileptic seizures occur because of an abnormal intensity and synchronize firing of brain cells. The fundamental neuronal disturbances during a seizure consist of large amplitude of sustained depolarization. Both widespread and localized mechanisms appear to be involved in the occurrence of seizures. Studies have shown that chronic vagal nerve stimulation can reduce seizures, however information thus far indicates that it?s moderately effective. Alternatively, hypothermia is known to have a protective effect on the brain. Hypothermia alters electricity and decreases production of excitatory neurotransmitters. Hypothermia also appears to reduce occurrence, frequency, amplitude of cortical proteins and suppresses seizure activity. Description (Set) Proposed Use (Set) The methods described in this invention improve effectiveness of stimulation for treating disorders of brain function or elsewhere in the central nervous system. These methods may also be used for brain disorders other than epilepsy, for spinal disorders, and for disorders of other body organs and tissues. These methods maybe used in conjunction with each other. Patent (Set) 6,882,881

Patents:
US 6,882,881

Inventor(s): Lesser, Ronald Peter

Type of Offer: Licensing



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