Detection, localization, and/or suppression of neural activity using acoustic waves and/or ultrasound
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
InventorsButrus T. Khuri-Yakub, Kamyar Firouzi, George Quintin Stedman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed related to using acoustic waves to detect neural activity in a brain and/or localize the neural activity in the brain. Sensors positioned outside of a skull encasing the brain can detect acoustic waves associated with the neural activity in the brain. From output signals of the sensors, a particular type of neural activity (e.g., a seizure) can be detected. A location of the neural activity can be determined based on outputs of the sensors. In some embodiments, the ultrasound energy can be applied to the location of the neural activity in response to detecting the neural activity.
Claims20
A method of suppressing neural activity in a brain encased by a skull, the method comprising:
- receiving information associated with the neural activity in the brain, the information identifying a location of the neural activity in the brain with a resolution on an order of a millimeter;
- and
- applying, using one or more ultrasonic transducers, ultrasound energy to the location of the neural activity in the brain through the skull within a millisecond time range from one or more sensors detecting acoustic waves associated with the neural activity to thereby suppress the neural activity.
A system for suppressing neural activity in a brain encased by a skull, the system comprising:
- sensors arranged to detect acoustic waves associated with neural activity;
- ultrasonic transducers configured to apply ultrasound energy through the skull to a location of the brain;
- and
- a processor configured to detect neural activity in the brain based on output signals from the sensors, identify a location of the neural activity in the brain with a resolution on an order of a millimeter, and control the ultrasonic transducers to apply the ultrasound energy to the location in response to detecting the neural activity.
A method of suppressing neural activity, the method comprising:
- sensing, with sensors positioned outside of a skull encasing a brain, acoustic waves associated with neural activity of the brain;
- determining, with a processor in communication with the sensors, a location of the neural activity of the brain based on comparing data derived using the sensors with a model associated with acoustic wave propagation in the brain and through the skull;
- and
- applying ultrasound energy to the location of the neural activity in the brain through the skull.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.