Techniques for selective activation of neurons in the brain, spinal cord parenchyma or peripheral nerve

An implantable drug delivery system that provides treatment therapy for a nervous system disorder to a volume of neural tissue comprising in combination:

• a cannula having a lumen distal end with a plurality of openings provided near the lumen distal end, each opening capable of directing a catheter outwardly along a distinct predetermined trajectory, at least one of the openings having a curved passageway defined by an inner curve and an outer curve, the inner curve and the outer curve having substantially the same shape, so as to direct a catheter away from the central axis of the cannula along the predetermined trajectory, wherein, in operation, slicing caused by installation of the catheter may be substantially avoided;
• a first catheter and a second catheter that are insertable within the cannula, wherein the first catheter protrudes through a first opening of the cannula and the second catheter protrudes through a second opening of the cannula, wherein each catheter is positioned to deliver a drug, and wherein the drug has a desired effect in providing the treatment therapy;
• a pump that stores the drug and couples to the first catheter through a first catheter port and the second catheter through a second catheter port to deliver the drug at a desired rate;
• a sensor that generates a signal that is indicative of a condition to be treated;
• and
• a processor that is coupled to the sensor in order to receive the signal from the sensor and that instructs the pump to infuse the drug at the desired rate through the first catheter and the second catheter, wherein the cannula, the first and second catheter, the pump, the sensor and the processor are each configured to be completely implantable under a skin of a patient.

An implantable agent delivery system for providing treatment therapy to a volume of neural tissue comprising in combination:

• a cannula having a lumen distal end with a plurality of openings provided near the lumen distal end, each opening capable of directing a catheter outwardly along a distinct predetermined trajectory, at least one of the openings having a curved passageway defined by an inner curve and an outer curve, the inner curve and the outer curve having substantially the same shape, so as to direct a catheter away from the central axis of the cannula along the predetermined trajectory, wherein, in operation, slicing caused by installation of the catheter may be substantially avoided;
• a first catheter and a second catheter that are insertable within the cannula, wherein the first catheter protrudes through a first opening of the cannula and the second catheter protrudes through a second opening of the cannula, wherein each catheter is positioned to deliver a liquid agent;
• and
• a therapy delivery device that stores the liquid agent and couples to the first catheter and the second catheter to deliver the liquid agent, wherein the cannula, the first and second catheter and the therapy delivery device are each configured to be completely implantable under a skin of a patient.