Abstract: Methods for providing electrical stimulation therapy to a cortex of a patient via a plurality of electrodes proximate to the cortex and a pulse generator implanted in the patient. One embodiment of a method in accordance with the invention comprises determining whether the current applied via the plurality of electrodes results in a sufficient current density in the cortex. The current density, for example, may need to be high enough to induce a response in the patient for determining the activation threshold of the specific stimulation site, or the current density may need to be high enough to perform a specific therapy. If the current density is not sufficient, the method continues by selecting a subset of the plurality of electrodes, and applying electrical current to the cortex via the subset of the electrodes.

Abstract: The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. For example, the method can include selecting a stimulation site by generating an intended neural activity by triggering a neural signal in or from the impaired body part and detecting a region of the brain in which a response neural activity occurs in reaction to the neural signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are several apparatuses and methods for applying intracranial electrical stimulation to treat or enhance the neural function of the patient. In accordance with the invention, intracranial electrical stimulation can be administered to treat brain damage, brain disease, and/or brain disorders. Additionally the intracranial electrical stimulation can be applied to a normal healthy brain to enhance neural-function or control sensory functions. The electrical stimulation site(s) of the brain are located where neuroplasticity is occurring, expected to occur, or in a region where neuroplasticity is not occurring. The intracranial stimulation is expected to produce a lasting effect on the intended neural activity by applying subthreshold stimulation to the increasing the resting membrane potential of the neurons at the stimulation site.

Abstract: Methods for treating and/or collecting information regarding neurological disorders, including language disorders, are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment directing a patient to perform a language-based task, directing information to be collected, with the information corresponding to a level of neural activity in the patient's brain while the patient performs the language-based task, and, based at least in part on the information, selecting a stimulation site within the patient's skull for receiving an electrode coupleable to an electrical current. In further embodiments, at least one electrode can be placed at the stimulation site, and the patient's language disorder can be reduced by applying electrical stimulation directly to the stimulation site via the at least one electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally to methods and apparatus for effectuating a change in a neural function of a patient. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes implanting an electrode at a cortical stimulation site selected to promote recovery of the affected neural-function, with the cortical stimulation site being at least proximate to the cortex. The method can further include estimating a threshold for the specific patient at which an electrical signal delivered via the implanted electrode directly triggers a neural reaction associated with the stimulation site in response to the delivered electrical signal, and electrically stimulating the cortical stimulation site by passing an electrical current through the electrode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating an impaired neural function in a brain of a patient. In one embodiment, a method for treating a neural function in a brain of a patient includes determining a therapy period during which a plurality of therapy sessions are to be performed to recover functional ability corresponding to the neural function. The method continues by identifying a stimulation site in or on the brain of the patient associated with the neural function, and positioning an electrode at least proximate to the identified stimulation site. The patient is then treated by providing electrical stimulation treatments to the stimulation site. The treatment can comprise delivering electrical stimulation signals to the electrode during the therapy sessions. After expiration of the therapy period, the method includes preventing electrical stimulation signals from being delivered to the stimulation site.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing or affecting neural stimulation efficiency and/or efficacy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system and/or method may apply electromagnetic stimulation to a patient's nervous system over a first time domain according to a first set of stimulation parameters, and over a second time domain according to a second set of stimulation parameters. The first and second time domains may be sequential, simultaneous, or nested. Stimulation parameters may vary in accordance with one or more types of duty cycle, amplitude, pulse repetition frequency, pulse width, spatiotemporal, and/or polarity variations. Stimulation may be applied at subthreshold, threshold, and/or suprathreshold levels in one or more periodic, aperiodic (e.g., chaotic), and/or pseudo-random manners. In some embodiments stimulation may comprise a burst pattern having an interburst frequency corresponding to an intrinsic brainwave frequency, and regular and/or varying intraburst stimulation parameters.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a paddle lead is implanted within a patient such that the electrodes are positioned within the cervical or thoracic spinal levels. An electrode combination on a first row of electrodes can be determined that is effective for a first pain location with minimal effects on other regions of the body. The first pain location can be addressed by stimulating a first dorsal column fiber due to the relatively fine electrical field resolution achievable by the multiple columns. Then, another electrode combination on a second row of electrodes can be determined for a second pain location with minimal effects on other regions. The second pain location could be addressed by stimulating a second dorsal column fiber. After the determination of the appropriate electrodes for stimulation, the patient's IPG can be programmed to deliver pulses using the first and second rows according to the determined electrode combinations.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a paddle lead is implanted within a patient such that the electrodes are positioned within the cervical or thoracic spinal levels. An electrode combination on a first row of electrodes can be determined that is effective for a first pain location with minimal effects on other regions of the body. The first pain location can be addressed by stimulating a first dorsal column fiber due to the relatively fine electrical field resolution achievable by the multiple columns. Then, another electrode combination on a second row of electrodes can be determined for a second pain location with minimal effects on other regions. The second pain location could be addressed by stimulating a second dorsal column fiber. After the determination of the appropriate electrodes for stimulation, the patient's IPG can be programmed to deliver pulses using the first and second rows according to the determined electrode combinations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating movement disorders using cortical stimulation. In one embodiment, a method for treating movement disorders comprises determining a site at the cortex of the brain of a patient related to a movement disorder of an afflicted body part. The site can be determined by obtaining a representation of neural activity occurring in the cortex of the patient and correlating an area of neural activity with the afflicted body part. The method can also include applying neural stimulation, such as electrical or magnetic waveforms, directly to the site.

Abstract: Electromagnetic signal delivery for tissue affected by neuronal dysfunction, degradation, damage, and/or necrosis, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes identifying an affected region, with the affected region including neuronal tissue that, at least during a pre-dysfunctional period, was in neural communication with neuronal tissue in a dysfunctional region. The affected tissue can be functionally adversely affected by neuronal dysfunction in the dysfunctional region. The method can further include applying electromagnetic signals to the neuronal tissue in the affected region. For example, the electromagnetic signals can be applied to a hypo-active neural region that is not physically damaged, and has been identified as likely to recover at least in part as a result of electromagnetic signals. Signals can be applied at sub-threshold levels to cortical and/or subcortical regions.

Abstract: Methods and devices for automatically optimizing the stimulus parameters and/or the configuration of electrodes to provide neural stimulation to a patient. In one embodiment, a system includes an electrode array having an implantable support member configured to be implanted into a patient and a plurality of therapy electrodes carried by the support member. The system can also have a pulse system operatively coupled to the therapy electrodes to deliver a stimulus to the therapy electrodes, and a sensing device configured to be attached to a sensing location of the patient. The sensing device generates response signals in response to the stimulus. The system can also include a controller operatively, coupled to the pulse system and to the sensing device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating movement disorders are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment can include determining that the movement disorder affects the patient's gait, oral functioning, and/or other functioning, and applying electrical stimulation proximate to the interhemispheric fissure, the Sylvian fissure, or between the two fissures, respectively. In another embodiment, the method can include selecting at least one neural process from among a plurality of processes sequentially carried out by a patient to cause a muscle movement in the patient (e.g., a planning process, an initiation process, and an execution process), and applying electrical stimulation to a location of the patient's brain associated with the at least one neural process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating movement disorders are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment can include determining that the movement disorder affects the patient's gait, oral functioning, and/or other functioning, and applying electrical stimulation proximate to the interhemispheric fissure, the Sylvian fissure, or between the two fissures, respectively. In another embodiment, the method can include selecting at least one neural process from among a plurality of processes sequentially carried out by a patient to cause a muscle movement in the patient (e.g., a planning process, an initiation process, and an execution process), and applying electrical stimulation to a location of the patient's brain associated with the at least one neural process.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an electrical stimulation system for treating tinnitus is provided. The system includes an electrical stimulation lead adapted for implantation into the person's skull for electrical stimulation of target brain tissue located in the person's temporal lobe. The lead includes one or more electrodes adapted to be positioned near the target brain tissue and to deliver electrical stimulation energy to the target brain tissue. The system also includes a stimulation source operable to generate signals for transmission to the electrodes of the lead to cause the electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation energy to the target brain tissue located in the person's temporal lobe to reduce tinnitus effects.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for neurological stimulation of peripheral nerve fibers to treat low back pain is provided. The system includes stimulation electrodes adapted to be implanted in tissue proximate a network of peripheral nerve fibers located in and innervating a painful region of the low back area and to deliver electrical stimulation pulses to the network of peripheral nerve fibers located in and innervating the painful region of the low back area. The system also includes a stimulation source adapted for implantation into the person's body and operable to generate electrical stimulation pulses for transmission to the electrodes for delivery to the network of peripheral nerve fibers located in and innervating the painful region of the low back area to relieve pain in the painful region of the low back area.

Abstract: A neural stimulation system responsive to collateral neural activity that may arise in association with a neural stimulation procedure includes a stimulation interface configured to deliver stimulation signals to a target neural population, a monitoring interface positioned to receive signals corresponding to a neural activity within the target neural population, a stimulus unit coupled to deliver stimulation signals to the stimulation interface, and a sensing unit coupled to the monitoring device and the stimulus unit. The neural stimulation procedure may be directed toward rehabilitating, restoring, and/or enhancing one or more neural functions by facilitating and/or effectuating a neuroplastic change or reorganization; and/or affecting a neurological condition that exists on a continuous or essentially continuous basis absent the stimulation procedure.

Abstract: The following disclosure is drawn to methods of electrically stimulating areas of the brain in which neuroplasticity are occurring. The stimulation site may be different than the region in the brain where neural activity is typically present to perform the particular neural function according to the functional organization of the brain. The disclosure provides methods of identify the location in which neuroplasticity is occurring, not occurring or expected to occur.

Abstract: The method described herein relates to using electrical and/or chemical stimulation to treat depression or anxiety related disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder. More specifically, the inferior thalamic peduncle or reticular thalamic nucleus is stimulated to treat depression or anxiety related disorders.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating movement disorders are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment can include determining that the movement disorder affects the patient's gait, oral functioning, and/or other functioning, and applying electrical stimulation proximate to the interhemispheric fissure, the Sylvian fissure, or between the two fissures, respectively. In another embodiment, the method can include selecting at least one neural process from among a plurality of processes sequentially carried out by a patient to cause a muscle movement in the patient (e.g., a planning process, an initiation process, and an execution process), and applying electrical stimulation to a location of the patient's brain associated with the at least one neural process.