The present invention provides materials and methods for using electrical stimulation to treat a mammal having a proteinopathy (e.g., neurodegenerative diseases) or at risk of developing a proteinopathy are provided. For example, the present invention provides materials and methods for modulating glymphatic clearance (e.g., enhancing glymphatic clearance) of pathogenic proteins.

In one aspect, the invention comprises an implantable living electrode comprising a substantially cylindrical extracellular matrix core; one or more neurons implanted along or within the substantially cylindrical extracellular matrix core, the one or more neurons including one or more optogenetic or magnetogenetic neurons proximal to a first end of the implantable living electrode.

Methods, devices, and systems induce neuromodulation by focusing a source of stimulation through a skull/brain interface in the form of an aperture formed in the skull, a naturally occurring fenestration in the skull, or a transcranial channel. Methods, devices, and systems identify where to locate skull/brain interfaces, accessories that can be used with the interfaces, and features for controlling stimulation delivered through the interfaces. Multiple indications for the skull/brain interfaces include diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders and conditions such as epilepsy, movement disorders, depression, Alzheimer's disease, autism, coma, and pain.

A substantially planar neural electrode array includes a flexible base, a connector cable attached to the base, one or more flexible shafts protruding from the base. The shafts are arranged to protrude in the same plane from the same surface of the base to form a comb-like structure. Each of the one or more shafts includes one or more electrode contacts. The electrode contacts are electrically coupled to the connector cable. A first reinforcement layer extends over the base and a proximal part of the one or more shafts. The proximal part is adjacent to the base; a second resorbable reinforcement layer extends over a distal part of the one or more shafts. The distal part is distant from the base. There is an overlap between the first reinforcement layer and the second resorbable reinforcement layer.

A skull-mountable medical device is disclosed. The device includes a housing containing a light source for providing phototherapy to a patient. A light pipe is attached to the housing. The device is configured to be positioned on a patient's skull with the light pipe extending into the patient's brain, such that light from the light source can irradiate a target position within the patient's brain. Once so positioned, the housing may be affixed to the skull via bone screws. The device is powered and controlled by an implantable pulse generator (IPG) that may be implanted into a patient's tissue remotely from the device and connected to the device by wire leads.

Devices, methods and systems for transmitting signals through a device located in a blood vessel of an animal, for stimulating and/or sensing activity of media proximal to the device, wherein the media includes tissue and/or fluid.

Methods, devices, and systems induce neuromodulation by focusing a source of stimulation through a skull/brain interface in the form of an aperture formed in the skull, a naturally occurring fenestration in the skull, or a transcranial channel. Methods, devices, and systems identify where to locate skull/brain interfaces, accessories that can be used with the interfaces, and features for controlling stimulation delivered through the interfaces. Multiple indications for the skull/brain interfaces include diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders and conditions such as epilepsy, movement disorders, depression, Alzheimer's disease, autism, coma, and pain.

A medical microelectrode includes an elongate electrode body including a tip section, a main body section and, optionally, a coupling section. The tip section, the main body section and, optionally, the coupling section are embedded in a first electrode matrix element, which is substantially rigid, biocompatible and soluble or biodegradable in a body fluid. Additionally the microelectrode includes a dissolution retarding layer on the first electrode matrix element and/or a second electrode matrix element disposed between the first electrode matrix element and the electrode. Upon dissolution or biodegradation of the first electrode matrix element a drug comprised by the first electrode matrix element or the second electrode matrix element is released into the tissue. Also disclosed are bundles and arrays of the electrodes and their use, which may be positioned on a face of a solid support.

This document discusses, among other things, examples of a low profile instrument immobilizer and means for positioning the same. In one example, the low profile instrument immobilizer grasps, secures, and immobilizes an electrode or other instrument that extends through a burr hole in a skull to a target location in a patient's brain.

An apparatus, a system and methods for modulating and monitoring tissue have an elongate member with proximal and distal ends and a plurality of annular stimulating electrodes axially arranged along the elongate member. The stimulating electrodes are disposed near the distal end and are adapted to pass current into tissue. At least one of the annular stimulating electrodes has at least three independent stimulation points on the electrode. The apparatus also includes a plurality of recording electrodes that are adapted to measure local tissue potentials and a plurality of conductors are coupled with the recording and stimulating electrodes. An optional multiple contact connecting terminal may be coupled with the conductors and is disposed near the proximal end of the elongate member.