Wireless prosthetic electrode for the brain
AssigneeUniversity of Iowa Research Foundation
InventorMatthew A. Howard, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wireless neural prosthetic device for a primary auditory cortex of a patient includes either a speech processor or a stimulating device for receiving and processing information and a wireless electrode arranged in the primary auditory cortex having a plurality of electrical contacts. The electrode can be arranged in the patient's primary auditory cortex and each of the plurality of electrical contacts independently outputs electrical discharges in accordance with the processed electrical signals. The plurality of electrical contacts can be arranged to approximately tonotopically match the primary auditory cortex.
Claims22
A wireless neural prosthetic device for placement in a brain target zone of a patient, for receiving processed electrical signals from an exterior processing device, said prosthetic device comprising:
- a thin, elongated electrode support adapted for tonotopic arrangement in said brain target zone having a plurality of electrical contacts arranged to electrically couple with said brain target zone;
- and
- circuitry electrically coupled to said plurality of electrical contacts for receiving said processed electrical signals and for selectively outputting electrical discharges to said plurality of electrical contacts in accordance with said processed electrical signals.
A wireless neural prosthetic system for a targeted brain zone of a patient, comprising:
- a processor for outputting processed electrical signals;
- a thin, elongate electrode support adapted for tonotopic arrangement in said targeted brain zone and having a plurality of electrical contacts capable of outputting electrical discharges in accordance with said processed electrical signals;
- and
- circuitry, electrically coupled to said plurality of electrical contacts, for receiving said processed electrical signals and outputting electrical discharges to said plurality of electrical contacts in accordance with said processed electrical signals.
A neural prosthetic apparatus for an auditory cortex of a patient, comprising:
- a speech processor for receiving and processing audio information and for outputting processed electrical signals;
- a thin, elongated electrode support adapted for tonotopic arrangement in said auditory cortex and having a plurality of electrical contacts arranged on said electrode support, wherein each of said plurality of electrical contacts is adapted to output electrical discharges in accordance with said processed electrical signals;
- and
- circuitry electrically coupled to said plurality of electrical contacts for receiving said processed electrical signals and outputting electrical discharges to said plurality of electrical contacts in accordance with said processed electrical signals.
A neural prosthetic apparatus for an auditory cortex of a patient, comprising:
- a speech processor for receiving and processing audio information and for outputting processed electrical signals;
- a thin, elongated electrode support adapted for tonotopic arrangement within said auditory cortex and having a plurality of electrical contacts approximately uniformly arranged along said electrode support, each of said plurality of electrical contacts being capable of independently outputting electrical discharges in accordance with said processed electrical signals;
- and
- circuitry electrically coupled to said plurality of electrical contacts for receiving said processed electrical signals and outputting electrical discharges to said plurality of electrical contacts in accordance with said processed electrical signals.
A neural prosthetic apparatus for a patient with tinnitus, comprising:
- a stimulation device for outputting electrical signals;
- and
- a thin elongated electrode support, adapted for arrangement in the patient's cortex or thalamus, said electrode support having a plurality of electrical contacts electrically coupled to said stimulation device, said plurality of electrical contacts capable of selectively outputting electrical discharges in accordance with said electrical signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.