Abstract: Heat-removal method and apparatus for treatment of movement disorder episodes; more specifically, a device and method for intracranially suppressing movement disorder episodes upon the detection of physiological symptoms. The device includes a temperature-contact implanted at a targeted portion in the brain which is determined to be associated with such episodes and connection to an implanted heat-transfer operator, typically a Peltier cooler or a thermal-electric cooler. Heat transfer from the temperature-contact to the heat-transfer operator cools the targeted portion and suppresses the movement disorder episode. Such heat transfer is performed upon the sensing of symptoms which normally preface episodes. The symptoms can be sensed intracranially by sensing-contacts, on the skin by a sensor or by a person or animal. Alternatively, heat removal (cooling) can be performed without sensing symptoms to prevent episodes when the patient is particularly sensitive to, or in danger from, episodes.

Abstract: An improved assembly and method for accurately and safely delivering a drug to a selected intracranial site are disclosed. The assembly ensures delivery of the drug to the selected site by providing a barrier which prevents “backflow” or leakage of the drug. The assembly includes a guide catheter having an inflatable balloon which is able to seal or occlude the tract created by the insertion of the guide catheter into the brain. The guide catheter further includes a passageway which receives a delivery catheter through which the drug is administered to the selected site in the brain. Upon delivery of the drug to the selected site, the balloon may be deflated and the assembly removed.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for accurately and safely implanting a probe into a brain including use of two cannulas having side-gaps extending longitudinally and opening into cavities. During implantation, the second cannula is positioned in the cavity of the first cannula such that the side-gaps are not juxtaposed, thereby defining a passageway through which the probe is inserted into the brain. Because the passageway is circumferential enclosed, the probe cannot veer into unintended brain tissue and is precisely positioned in the brain. The cannulas are then rotated relative to one another so that they may be separated from the probe either during or after withdrawal from the brain.

Abstract: Heat-removal method and apparatus for treatment of movement disorder episodes; more specifically, a device and method for intracranially suppressing movement disorder episodes upon the detection of physiological symptoms. The device includes a temperature-contact implanted at a targeted portion in the brain which is determined to be associated with such episodes and connection to an implanted heat-transfer operator, typically a Peltier cooler or a thermal-electric cooler. Heat transfer from the temperature-contact to the heat-transfer operator cools the targeted portion and suppresses the movement disorder episode. Such heat transfer is performed upon the sensing of symptoms which normally preface episodes. The symptoms can be sensed intracranially by sensing-contacts, on the skin by a sensor or by a person or animal. Alternatively, heat removal (cooling) can be performed without sensing symptoms to prevent episodes when the patient is particularly sensitive to, or in danger from, episodes.

Abstract: An electrical connector for multi-contact medical electrodes with plural-contact tails, including a tail-receiving member having a tail-receiving void defining an internal surface and an array of electrical conductors, preferably spring-loaded ball plungers, positioned along the internal surface. A locking mechanism is positioned within the tail-receiving member and can be moved from an open position in which a tail received within the void can be removed from the void, to a locked position in which the locking mechanism prevents removal of the tail. Some preferred embodiments include the locking mechanism being positioned adjacent the void opposite the conductors and extending into the void when in the locked position; the locking mechanism being a cam shaft and cam arrangement which allows for locking by rotation of the cam shaft; and the plural contacts being sleeves with necked-in ends to allow non-destructive withdrawal of the tail in the unlocked position.

Abstract: An electrical connector for multi-contact medical electrodes with plural-contact tails, including a first elongate member having a first face and an array of electrical conductors, preferably spring-loaded ball plungers, positioned therealong and a second elongate member extending along the first elongate member and having a tail-receiving void, a second face parallel to the void with access openings to expose the plural tail contacts, the second elongate member being pivotable, between open and closed positions with respect to the first elongate member. Pivoting is about an axis along the lengths of the elongate members. The closed position serves to place the plural contacts of a tail into engagement with the electrical conductors.

Abstract: A visually-positioned electrical monitoring apparatus includes an electrical assembly comprising an elongate, flaccid dielectric body having at least one electrical contact, a passage and an open distal end. An endoscope extends through the passage and has its distal end substantially in registry with the distal end of the body. A method for placing an electrical monitoring assembly to coact with human tissue at a target site includes providing the aforedescribed monitoring assembly, extending an endoscope into the passage, aligning the distal end of the endoscope with the distal end of the body and visually guiding the assembly to the site.

Abstract: The improved subdural electrode for determining epileptogenic foci is of the type having two dielectric layers. The electrode includes at least one electrical lead wire having a portion of its length interposed between the dielectric layers. At least one electrode disk is interposed between the layers and has a tab formed thereon. Connection of the tab and the lead wire is by folding the outer segment of the tab toward its inward segment to crimp the wire between them. An electrically conductive circuit between the wire and the tab is thereby created. The electrical and mechanical integrity of the connection is improved by wrapping the wire about the tab several times before crimping. The connection is also improved by positioning the wrapped wire, prior to final crimping, adjacent the fold defined between the outer and inward segments.

Abstract: An improved intracranial diagnostic electrode for use with magnetic resonance imaging techniques includes an electrode body and at least one metallic contact supported by the body. An electrical lead wire is attached to the contact for connecting the contact to a diagnostic instrument. At least the metallic contact is made of an alloy which includes nickel and chromium and is substantially devoid of iron. The electrode thereby provides substantially clear images of the location of each metallic contact when the electrode is used in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging techniques. The electrode may also include radiopaque elements or markers to adapt the electrode for use with x-ray as well as magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Several embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved electrical brain-contact device for increased accuracy in determining epileptogenic foci. The intracranial device has a dielectric base member and an array of contacts mounted thereon with separate leads extending therefrom, and is characterized by radiopaque dielectric means adjacent to at least one of the contacts such that the positions of the contacts of the array may more readily be determined by x-ray. Certain preferred forms have discrete radiopaque dielectric markers in various arrangements, including sub-arrays of markers corresponding in number and positions to subsets of the contacts.

Abstract: An electrical brain-contact device and device for connecting a plurality of lead wires with individual conductors. The lead wires extend to a terminal mount and to an array of terminals; a conductor support holds an array of the individual conductors; and a connector block with a first space and an array of second spaces serves to join the conductors to the terminals, preferably by a biasing means. The first space receives the terminal mount and the array of second spaces receives the conductor array. The block may be single or have a plurality of sub-blocks attached end-to-end allowing the block to be sized to accept any number of terminals and conductors. Each block or sub-block is preferably a non-conductive one-piece member.

Abstract: A brain-contact device (19,12,13) having a multi-electrode tissue-engagement member (14,16), lead wires (32) extending to a terminal mount (36) with an array of lead-wire terminals (38) on it, and a connector (46,46a) including a base (48,48a) with a matching array of take-up terminals (70,70a), a movable yoke (50,50a) forming with the base a terminal-mount space (62,62a), and a device (52,52a) to hold the yoke and base together with the arrays in contact.

Abstract: An improved subdural strip electrode for determining epileptogenic foci. The strip has a long gradually tapered proximal end portion terminating in a narrow tip from which lead wires extend, allowing withdrawal of the strip electrode without substantial incision. The strip width and thickness are much less than in prior subdural strip electrodes, and the strip may be withdrawn after extended implantation without the need for general surgery. One preferred embodiment includes a reinforced central region along the strip.