US6459936B2
Expired / Lapsed
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Methods for responsively treating neurological disorders
Assignee: Neuropace Inc
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Filing: 2001-08-17
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Granted: 2002-10-01
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Expires: 2021-08-17
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a multiple electrode, closed-loop, responsive system for the treatment of certain neurological diseases such as epilepsy, migraine headaches and Parkinson's disease. Brain electrodes would be placed in close proximity to the brain or deep within brain tissue. When a neurological event such as the onset of an epileptic seizure occurs, EEG signals from the electrodes are processed by signal conditioning means in a control module that can be placed beneath the patient's scalp, within the patient's chest, or situated externally on the patient. Neurological event detection means in the control module will then cause a response to be generated for stopping the neurological event. The response could be an electrical signal to brain electrodes or to electrodes located remotely in the patient's body. The response could also be the release of medication or the application of a sensory input such as sound, light or mechanical vibration or electrical stimulation of the skin. The response to the neurological event can originate from devices either internal or external to the patient. The system also has the capability for multi-channel recording of EEG related signals that occur both before and after the detection of a neurological event. Programmability of many different operating parameters of the system by means of external equipment provides adaptability for treating patients who manifest different symptoms and who respond differently to the response generated by the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Fischell
- 👤 David R. Fischell
- 👤 Adrian R. M. Upton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 06:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/3605; A61N1/36128; A61N1/36135; A61N1/36014; A61N1/36017; A61N1/36025; A61N1/3606; A61N1/36064; A61N1/372; A61N1/37211; A61N1/37252; A61N1/36067; A61N1/36071; A61N1/36075
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for providing responsive therapy to a patient with epilepsy, comprising the steps of: receiving an EEG signal with an implanted control module; detecting a neurological event in the EEG signal; and initiating an action in response to the detected neurological event; wherein the action provides a therapeutic effect to the patient and includes applying electrical brain stimulation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for providing responsive therapy to a patient with epilepsy, comprising the steps of: receiving an EEG signal with an implanted control module; detecting a neurological event in the EEG signal; and initiating an action in response to the detected neurological event; wherein the action provides a therapeutic effect to the patient and includes applying electrical brain stimulation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method for providing responsive therapy of claim 1 , further comprising the step of processing the EEG signal with an electronic circuit in the implanted control module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method for providing responsive therapy of claim 2 , wherein the electronic circuit comprises an event detection subsystem.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method for providing responsive therapy of claim 1 , further comprising the step of converting the EEG signal into a digital data stream.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method for providing responsive therapy of claim 4 , wherein the digital data stream is representative of the EEG signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method for providing responsive therapy of claim 4 , further comprising the step of processing the digital data stream.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method for providing responsive therapy of claim 1 , wherein the step of applying electrical brain stimulation comprises delivering an electrical stimulation signal to a location in a brain of the patient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method for providing responsive therapy of claim 7 , wherein the step of delivering an electrical stimulation signal comprises the steps of: generating the electrical stimulation signal; and transmitting the electrical stimulation signal to a stimulation electrode via a lead.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method for providing responsive therapy of claim 8 , wherein the stimulation electrode is implanted in the brain of the patient.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method for providing responsive therapy of claim 7 , wherein the electrical stimulation signal includes a pulse.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for providing responsive therapy to a patient with epilepsy, comprising the steps of: receiving an EEG signal with an implanted control module; converting the EEG signal into a digital data stream; detecting a neurological event in the digital data stream; and performing an action in response to the detected neurological event; wherein the action provides a therapeutic effect to the patient; wherein the digital data stream is representative of an energy spectrum of the EEG signal.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for providing responsive therapy to a patient with epilepsy, comprising the steps of: receiving an EEG signal with an implanted control module; converting the EEG signal into a digital data stream; detecting a neurological event in the digital data stream; and performing an action in response to the detected neurological event; wherein the action provides a therapeutic effect to the patient; wherein the digital data stream is representative of an energy spectrum of the EEG signal.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for providing responsive therapy to a patient with epilepsy, comprising the steps of: receiving an EEG signal with an implanted control module; converting the EEG signal into a digital data stream; processing the digital data stream; detecting a neurological event in the digital data stream; and performing an action in response to the detected neurological event; wherein the action provides a therapeutic effect to the patient; wherein the step of processing the digital data stream employs a digital signal processor.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for providing responsive therapy to a patient with epilepsy, comprising the steps of: receiving an EEG signal with an implanted control module; converting the EEG signal into a digital data stream; processing the digital data stream; detecting a neurological event in the digital data stream; and performing an action in response to the detected neurological event; wherein the action provides a therapeutic effect to the patient; wherein the step of processing the digital data stream employs a digital signal processor.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for providing responsive therapy to a patient with epilepsy, comprising the steps of: receiving an EEG signal with an implanted control module; converting the EEG signal into a digital data stream; detecting a neurological event in the digital data stream; and performing an action in response to the detected neurological event; wherein the action provides a therapeutic effect to the patient; wherein the step of detecting a neurological event comprises performing a detection algorithm on the digital data stream.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for providing responsive therapy to a patient with epilepsy, comprising the steps of: receiving an EEG signal with an implanted control module; converting the EEG signal into a digital data stream; detecting a neurological event in the digital data stream; and performing an action in response to the detected neurological event; wherein the action provides a therapeutic effect to the patient; wherein the step of detecting a neurological event comprises performing a detection algorithm on the digital data stream.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method for providing responsive therapy of claim 13 , wherein the step of performing the detection algorithm comprises the steps of: extracting a characteristic from the digital data stream; comparing the characteristic of the digital data stream to a threshold; and if the characteristic exceeds the threshold, indicating that a neurological event has been detected.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method for providing responsive therapy of claim 14 , wherein the characteristic comprises an energy of the EEG signal in a frequency band.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method for providing responsive therapy of claim 14 , wherein the characteristic comprises a signal amplitude.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method for providing responsive therapy of claim 14 , wherein the characteristic comprises a signal event density within a time period.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for providing responsive therapy to a patient with epilepsy, comprising the steps of: receiving an EEG signal with an implanted control module; detecting a neurological event in the EEG signal; and performing an action in response to the detected neurological event; wherein the action provides a therapeutic effect to the patient; wherein the step of performing an action comprises delivering an electrical stimulation signal to a brain of the patient including a pulse; and wherein the pulse is biphasic.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for providing responsive therapy to a patient with epilepsy, comprising the steps of: receiving an EEG signal with an implanted control module; detecting a neurological event in the EEG signal; and performing an action in response to the detected neurological event; wherein the action provides a therapeutic effect to the patient; wherein the step of performing an action comprises delivering an electrical stimulation signal to a brain of the patient including a pulse; and wherein the pulse is biphasic.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for providing responsive therapy to a patient with epilepsy, comprising the steps of: receiving an EEG signal with an implanted control module; detecting a neurological event in the EEG signal; and performing an action in response to the detected neurological event; wherein the action provides a therapeutic effect to the patient; wherein the step of performing an action comprises actuating a buzzer to cause an acoustic signal to be perceived by the patient.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for providing responsive therapy to a patient with epilepsy, comprising the steps of: receiving an EEG signal with an implanted control module; detecting a neurological event in the EEG signal; and performing an action in response to the detected neurological event; wherein the action provides a therapeutic effect to the patient; wherein the step of performing an action comprises actuating a buzzer to cause an acoustic signal to be perceived by the patient.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-09-30 | 2006-04-01 | 2006-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-04-01 | 2010-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-30 | 2014-04-01 | 2014-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |