Patents Assigned to Cervel Neurotech, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8956273
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) are provided for synchronous, asynchronous, or independent triggering the firing multiple of electromagnets from either a single power source or multiple energy sources. These methods are particularly useful for stimulation of deep (e.g., sub-cortical) brain regions, or for stimulation of multiple brain regions, since controlled magnetic pulses reaching the deep target location may combine to form a patterned pulse train that activates the desired volume of target tissue. Furthermore, the methods, devices and systems described herein may be used to control the rate of firing of action potentials in one or more brain regions, such as slow or fast rate rTMS. For example, described herein are multiple electromagnetic stimulation sources, each of which are activated independently to create a cumulative effect at the intersections of the electromagnetic stimulation trajectories, typically by means of a computerized calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cervel Neurotech, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Mishelevich, M. Bret Schneider
  • Patent number: 8956274
    Abstract: Described herein are Transcranial Magnetic Simulation (TMS) systems and methods of using them for emitting focused, or shaped, magnetic fields for TMS. In particular, described herein are arrays of TMS electromagnets comprising at least one primary (e.g., central) TMS electromagnet and a plurality of secondary (e.g., lateral or surrounding) TMS electromagnets. The secondary TMS electromagnets are arranged around the primary TMS electromagnet(s), and are typically configured to be synchronously fired with the primary TMS electromagnets. Secondary TMS electromagnets may be fired at a fraction of the power used to energize the primary TMS electromagnet to shape the resulting magnetic field. The secondary TMS electromagnets may be stimulated at opposite polarity to the primary TMS electromagnet(s). Focusing in this manner may prevent or reduce stimulation of adjacent non-target brain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cervel Neurotech, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Bret Schneider, David J. Mishelevich
  • Patent number: 8795148
    Abstract: Systems and methods for modulating deep brain target regions using an array of TMS electromagnets, wherein each TMS electromagnet stimulates the target at a level that is below motor threshold (MT). Neurological disorders (or disorders having neurological effects) may be treated by sub-MT stimulation of deep-brain targets from an array of TMS electromagnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Cervel Neurotech, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Bret Schneider, David J. Mishelevich
  • Patent number: 8723628
    Abstract: Described herein are shaped coil TMS electromagnets formed by two bent magnetic coil loops joined at a vertex having an angle between the outer coil regions of the coils that is typically less than 120 degrees (e.g., between about 45 and about 70 degrees, 60 degrees, etc.). The vertex region shaped to optimize the magnetic field projected from the TMS electromagnet. For example, the vertex region may be horizontal or vertical. In some variations the vertex region is formed by re-arranging the conductive windings forming the two coils so that they are no longer arranged in the same columnar structure that they are in the other portions of the bent magnetic coil loops. These TMS electromagnets may be well suited for use in deep-brain Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Cervel Neurotech, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Mishelevich, M. Bret Schneider
  • Publication number: 20130267763
    Abstract: Described herein are methods for neuromodulating brain activity of one or more target brain regions, the methods using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to produce robust analgesia. In particular, described herein are systems for arranging one or more (e.g., a plurality) of TMS electromagnets oriented in a transverse direction, perpendicular to the posterior-anterior axis of the head, and applying sufficient energy to neuromodulate the target deep brain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: CERVEL NEUROTECH, INC.
    Inventors: M. Bret Schneider, David J. Mishelevich
  • Patent number: 8523753
    Abstract: The treatment of specific neurological and psychiatric illnesses using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) requires that specific neuroanatomical structures are targeted using specific pulse parameters. Described herein are methods of positioning and powering TMS electromagnets to selectively stimulate a deep brain target region while minimizing the impact on non-target regions between the TMS electromagnet and the target. Use of these configurations may involve a combination of physical, spatial and/or temporal summation. Specific approaches to achieving temporal summation are detailed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Cervel Neurotech, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Bret Schneider, David J. Mishelevich
  • Patent number: 8267850
    Abstract: The treatment of specific neurological and psychiatric illnesses using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) requires that specific neuroanatomical structures are targeted using specific pulse parameters. Described herein are methods of positioning and powering TMS electromagnets to selectively stimulate a deep brain target region while minimizing the impact on non-target regions between the TMS electromagnet and the target. Use of these configurations may involve a combination of physical, spatial and/or temporal summation. Specific approaches to achieving temporal summation are detailed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Cervel Neurotech, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Bret Schneider, David J. Mishelevich
  • Patent number: 8265910
    Abstract: Methods and systems for modeling and displaying magnetic field intensities during Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) are described, particularly methods and system for modeling and displaying TMS using overlapping magnetic fields to stimulate deep brain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Cervel Neurotech, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Mishelevich, M. Bret Schneider