Combined micro-macro brain stimulation system
AssigneeMedtronic, Inc.
InventorsFrans L.H. Gielen, Paul Boulos Bejjani
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lead for brain stimulation comprising a macro segment having a macro electrode for test stimulation and subsequent chronic stimulation, and a micro segment having a micro electrode for single cell recording is described. Methods for using the lead to stimulate brain tissue and to identify functional boundaries within brain tissue are also provided.
Claims24
A brain stimulation lead, comprising:
- a macro segment having an opening disposed therein;
- and
- a micro segment movably positioned within the macro segment, the micro segment being movable between a retracted position when the micro segment is housed within the macro segment and an extended position when the micro segment extends through the opening of the macro segment.
A method of stimulating brain tissue, comprising:
- providing a lead comprising a macro segment including an opening disposed therein and a macro electrode adjacent the opening, a micro being segment movably positioned within the macro segment;
- retracting the micro segment into the opening in the macro segment;
- establishing a trajectory path within brain tissue;
- inserting the lead along the trajectory path while the micro segment is in a retracted position;
- and stimulating the brain tissue with the macro electrode.
A method of identifying functional boundaries between brain structures, comprising:
- providing a lead comprising a macro segment including an opening disposed therein and a macro electrode adjacent the opening, a micro segment being movably positioned within the macro segment, the micro segment comprising a micro-electrode disposed at a distal end thereof;
- retracting the micro segment into the opening;
- establishing a trajectory path within brain tissue;
- inserting the lead along the trajectory path while the micro segment is retracted;
- extending the micro segment through the opening;
- recording cell discharge patterns with the micro-electrode;
- and
- identifying functional boundaries based on the cell patterns.
A brain stimulation system, comprising:
- a lead comprising a macro segment having an opening disposed therein;
- a micro segment movably positioned within the macro segment, the micro segment being movable between a retracted position when the micro segment is housed within the macro segment and an extended position when the micro segment extends through the opening of the macro segment;
- at least one electrode adjacent the opening of the macro segment configured to permit test stimulation of brain tissue;
- and
- at least one electrode disposed near a distal end of the micro segment configured to permit single cell recording.
A method of stimulating brain tissue, comprising:
- retracting a micro segment into a macro segment;
- creating a trajectory path within brain tissue;
- inserting a macro segment along the trajectory path while the micro segment is in a retracted position;
- extending the micro segment;
- recording cell discharge patterns with the micro-electrode;
- identifying functional boundaries based on the cell discharge patterns;
- and
- stimulating the brain tissue with the macro electrode within the functional boundaries.
A brain stimulation lead, comprising:
- identifying means for determining functional boundaries of brain tissue;
- means for performing test stimulation of brain tissue;
- and
- means for removing the identifying means from a brain tissue site during test stimulation.
A brain stimulation lead comprising:
- identifying means for determining functional boundaries of brain tissue;
- means for performing test stimulation of brain tissue;
- and
- means for housing the identifying means.
A system for brain stimulation comprising:
- identifying means for determining functional boundaries of brain tissue;
- means for performing test stimulation of brain tissue;
- means for housing the identifying means;
- and
- means for removing the identifying means from a brain tissue site during test stimulation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.