Non-regular electrical stimulation patterns for improved efficiency in treating Parkinson's Disease
AssigneeDuke University
InventorsWarren M. Grill, David T. Brocker, Merrill Birdno
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Abstract
Systems and methods for stimulation of neurological tissue generate stimulation trains with temporal patterns of stimulation, in which the interval between electrical pulses (the inter-pulse intervals) changes or varies over time. Compared to conventional continuous, high rate pulse trains having regular (i.e., constant) inter-pulse intervals, the non-regular (i.e., not constant) pulse patterns or trains that embody features of the invention provide a lower average frequency. The systems and methods for stimulation of neurological tissue may be used to increase the efficacy of treatment in patients with Parkinson's Disease.
Claims27
A neural stimulation device for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease comprising:
- a pulse generator transmitting a temporal pattern of stimulation for application to neurological tissue of a patient, the temporal pattern having a non-regular pulse train having a plurality of single pulses (singlets) and embedded multiple pulse groups (n-lets), said n-lets having a plurality of n-let pulses with non-regular inter-pulse intervals between said n-let pulses, with non-regular, non-random, differing inter-pulse intervals between the singlets and n-lets to reduce Parkinson Disease symptoms of the patient;
- and
- wherein the temporal pattern is adapted from applying a model-based optimization technique.
A method for stimulation of a targeted neurological tissue region for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease comprising the steps of:
- applying electrical current to a targeted neurological tissue region of an animal using a pulse generator according to a first non-regular pulse train including a first plurality of single pulses (first singlets) and embedded first multiple pulse groups (first n-lets), with non-regular, non-random, differing inter-pulse intervals between the first singlets and first n-lets, wherein the first n-lets comprise a plurality of embedded multiple pulse groups with non-regular inter-pulse intervals within the embedded multiple pulse groups;
- analyzing results of the first non-regular pulse train;
- applying a model-based optimization technique determining a second non-regular pulse trains including a second plurality of single pulses (second singlets) and embedded second multiple pulse groups (second n-lets), with non-regular, non-random, differing inter-pulse intervals between second singlets and second n-lets;
- and
- applying electrical current to the targeted neurological tissue region of the animal using the pulse generator according to the second non-regular pulse train to reduce symptoms of Parkinson Disease of the animal.
A neural stimulation device for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease comprising:
- a pulse generator configured to apply a first non-regular pulse train having a plurality of first singlets spaced apart by first inter-pulse singlet intervals and at least one first n-let having, for each n-let, two or more pulses having first inter-pulse n-let intervals occurring in a non-regular pattern between the two or more pulses wherein the first inter-pulse singlet intervals are non-regular, non-random and differing;
- wherein the pulse generator is configurable to apply a second non-regular pulse train, having a plurality of second singlets spaced apart by second inter-pulse singlet intervals and at least one second n-let having, for each n-let, two or more pulses wherein the second-interpulse singlet intervals are non-regular, non-random and differing, the second non-regular pulse trail based upon an analysis of the first non-regular pulse train to reduce symptoms of Parkinson Disease;
- and
- at least one output configured to operatively coupled with at least one electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.