US5716377A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of treating movement disorders by brain stimulation
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1996-04-25
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Granted: 1998-02-10
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Expires: 2016-04-25
Abstract
Abstract Techniques for stimulating the brain to treat movement disorders resulting in abnormal motor behavior by means of an implantable signal generator and electrode. A sensor is used to detect the symptoms resulting from the motion disorder. A microprocessor algorithm analyzes the output from the sensor in order to regulate the stimulation delivered to the brain.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark T. Rise
- 👤 Gary W. King
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/3605; A61N1/3606; A61N1/36067; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0526; A61N1/0529; A61N1/0534
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of therapeutically treating a movement disorder resulting in abnormal motor behavior by means of a signal generator and an implantable electrode having a proximal end and a stimulation portion comprising the steps of: surgically implanting said electrode in a brain of a patient so that the stimulation portion lies in communication with a predetermined treatment site in the brain, said predetermined treatment site being selected from the group consisting of the pallido-thalamic axons (AL), the lenticulo-thalamic fiber pathway (LT), substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), external segment of globus pallidus (GPe), subthalamic to pallidal fiber tracts, putamen, and putamen to GPe fibers; coupling said proximal end of said electrode to said signal generator; and operating said signal generator to stimulate said predetermined treatment site in the brain, whereby the symptoms of said movement disorder are reduced.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of therapeutically treating a movement disorder resulting in abnormal motor behavior by means of a signal generator and an implantable electrode having a proximal end and a stimulation portion comprising the steps of: surgically implanting said electrode in a brain of a patient so that the stimulation portion lies in communication with a predetermined treatment site in the brain, said predetermined treatment site being selected from the group consisting of the pallido-thalamic axons (AL), the lenticulo-thalamic fiber pathway (LT), substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), external segment of globus pallidus (GPe), subthalamic to pallidal fiber tracts, putamen, and putamen to GPe fibers; coupling said proximal end of said electrode to said signal generator; and operating said signal generator to stimulate said predetermined treatment site in the brain, whereby the symptoms of said movement disorder are reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said movement disorder is a hyperkinetic disorder and wherein said stimulation is selected to reduce thalamic output.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said hyperkinetic disorder comprises dystonia, ballism, hemiballism, chorea, athetosis, torticollis, or spasticity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said stimulation is selected to decrease excitement of the thalamus or increase inhibition of the thalamus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said stimulation is selected to decrease inhibition or increase excitation of said internal segment of globus pallidus (GPi), substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) or subthalamic nucleus (STN) that inhibit thalamic output.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said stimulation is selected to decrease excitation or increase inhibition of said external segment of globus pallidus (GPe).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said stimulation comprises pulses having a repetition rate of 2 to 2500 Hz.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said movement disorder is a hypokinetic disorder and wherein said stimulation is selected to increase thalamic output.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method, as claimed in claim 8, wherein said hypokinetic disorder comprises akinesia, rigidity, or bradykinesia.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method, as claimed in claim 8, wherein said stimulation is selected to increase excitement of the thalamus or decrease inhibition of the thalamus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said stimulation is selected to increase inhibition or decrease excitation of said internal segment of globus pallidus (GPi), substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) or subthalamic nucleus (STN) that inhibit thalamic output.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said stimulation is selected to increase excitation or decrease inhibition of said external segment of globus pallidus (GPe).
Claim 14
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of treating a movement disorder resulting in abnormal motor behavior comprising in combination: implanting a signal generator in a body; implanting at least one electrode in at least one predetermined site in a brain of said body; coupling said at least one electrode to said signal generator; generating a signal related to the extent of said abnormal motor behavior; generating stimulation pulses with said signal generator; and regulating said stimulation pulses in response to said signal, whereby the stimulation is increased in response to an increase in said abnormal motor behavior and is decreased in response to a decrease in said abnormal motor behavior.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of treating a movement disorder resulting in abnormal motor behavior comprising in combination: implanting a signal generator in a body; implanting at least one electrode in at least one predetermined site in a brain of said body; coupling said at least one electrode to said signal generator; generating a signal related to the extent of said abnormal motor behavior; generating stimulation pulses with said signal generator; and regulating said stimulation pulses in response to said signal, whereby the stimulation is increased in response to an increase in said abnormal motor behavior and is decreased in response to a decrease in said abnormal motor behavior.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said step of generating a signal comprises the step of generating a signal corresponding to the extent of abnormal motion resulting from said abnormal motor behavior.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method, as claimed in claim 13, the step of generating a signal comprises the step of detecting changes in electromagnetic waves generated by muscle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said step of regulating comprises the step of executing a control algorithm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method, as claimed in claim 16, wherein said step of generating said signal comprises the steps of detecting said abnormal motor behavior and communicating with said algorithm by telemetry.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said movement disorder is a hyperkinetic disorder or a hypokinetic disorder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-02-09 | 2001-08-11 | 2002-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-02-09 | 2005-08-11 | 2006-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-02-09 | 2009-08-11 | 2010-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |