Patent classifications
A61N1/0536
Device and Method for Reducing Foreign Body Response from Neural Implants
A device for reducing foreign body response in a subject caused by an electrode implanted in a subject's tissue. A base is secured to the subject, having a base aperture in proximity to the target site. The base can receive and align a body thereon. A body contains a chamber extending between a chamber aperture, aligned with the base aperture, at one end and a chamber opening at an opposite end. The chamber contains an acoustic coupling medium, such as polyvinyl alcohol cryogel, transmits acoustic vibrations from a transducer without altering their frequency. The transducer is mounted to the device and is configured to transmit acoustic vibrations into the chamber and through said acoustic coupling medium to the subject tissue at the target site, creating an acoustic field in the target site sufficient to reduce foreign body response in the subject where the electrode contacts the target tissue.
Electrode arrangement for stimulating and recording electrical signals in biological matter, a neural probe, a micro-electrode array and a method for controlling an electrode arrangement
An electrode arrangement for stimulating and recording electrical signals in biological matter comprises: an array (110) of electrodes (112), wherein electrodes (112) are configured to be switchable between stimulating and recording of electrical signals; a control unit (120), wherein the control unit (120) is configured to select a plurality of electrodes (112) to form a combined macroelectrode site (114) for providing a stimulating signal, wherein the control unit (120) is further configured to determine a perimeter electrode (112b) and a central electrode (112a), wherein the perimeter electrode (112b) is arranged at a perimeter of the combined macroelectrode site (114) and the central electrode (112a) is arranged centrally within the combined macroelectrode site (114), and wherein the control unit (120) is further configured to provide a stimulation signal to the perimeter electrode (112b) that has a lower magnitude than a stimulation signal provided to the central electrode (112a).
ELECTRICAL SUBSTANCE CLEARANCE FROM THE BRAIN
Apparatus is provided that includes a two-dimensional arrangement (70) of extracranial electrodes (30), configured to be placed outside and in electrical contact with a skull of a subject identified as at risk of or suffering from a disease; and a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) electrode (32), configured to be implanted in a ventricular system of a brain of the subject. Control circuitry is configured to drive the extracranial and the CSF electrodes (30, 32) to clear a substance from brain parenchyma of the subject into at least one region of the brain selected from the group consisting of: a subarachnoid space of the brain and dural sinuses of the brain. Other embodiments are also described.
Neuromodulation to Modulate Glymphatic Clearance
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.
NEUROMODULATION TECHNIQUES FOR PERTURBATION OF PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to techniques for inducing physiological perturbations in a subject via neuromodulation, e.g., peripheral neuromodulation of a region of interest of an organ. The nature and degree of the perturbations may be related to the subject's clinical condition. Accordingly, an assessment of one or more characteristics of the perturbations may be used to determine a clinical condition of the subject.
DEPLOYABLE ELECTRODE ARRAY LEAD ASSEMBLY FOR IMPLANTABLE ELECTRICAL STIMULATION
A lead assembly includes a central lead member having a distal portion configured to extend along a longitudinal axis. The lead assembly also includes two or more side lead members disposed around the central lead member. Each side lead member includes a deploying portion extending at an angle away from the longitudinal axis. Each deploying portion has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is laterally spaced from the central lead member and extends more parallel to the longitudinal axis than the proximal portion. The lead assembly also includes one or more electrodes attached to the distal portion of the deploying portion of each side lead member. The lead assembly optionally includes a cannula comprising a lumen, an end portion, and a buckler disposed in the lumen on the end portion for deploying the lead members.
SYSTEMS, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR A SKULL/BRAIN INTERFACE
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.
Skull-Mounted Optical Implant
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.
Optical Stimulation Implant
An implantable medical device for providing phototherapy to a patient's brain is disclosed. The device includes a housing containing a light source for providing phototherapy to a patient. A light path is attached to the housing. The implantable medical device is configured to be positioned between a patient's skull and scalp with the light path extending into the patient's brain, such that light from the light source can irradiate a target position within the patient's brain. The implantable medical 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.
Implant with reactive oxygen species scavenging coating
A chronically implanted medical device is disclosed that has an outermost layer formed from a conjugate of a polymer with lipoic acid, the conjugate having free 1,2-dithiolane groups. It is contemplated that this layer scavenges reactive oxygen species, i.e. acts as an antioxidant, and thus reduces inflammation and other adverse effects around the implant itself.