Abstract: A method of affecting a sleep disorder in a subject having the sleep disorder and a method of affecting a normal awakeness-sleep cycle in a subject having an abnormal awakeness-sleep cycle, said methods comprising: a) identifying at least one nucleus in a brain of the subject, said nucleus being a nucleus of the sleep circuitry of the brain; and b) stimulating the at least one identified nucleus so as to modulate the nucleus, thereby affecting the sleep disorder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a neural stimulation delivery device to deliver electrical and/or chemical stimulation to target sites in the central and peripheral nervous system. The device generally includes a tubular body defining a plurality of ports along the longitudinal axis thereof, a plurality of delivery structures insertable in the body, and a control mechanism in communication with the plurality of delivery structures to independently move each of the plurality of delivery structures through a respective one of the plurality of ports with respect to each other of the plurality of delivery structures. The ability of each delivery structure to be independently moveable through a respective port allows each delivery structure to be selectively advanced or retracted independent of the movement of another delivery structure.

Abstract: A device and method for stimulating neural tissue in a patient comprising: providing a lead having opposed first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis therebetween wherein the lead having at least one electrode provided thereon for delivering electrical stimulation; implanting the lead adjacent the neural tissue; applying electrical signals to the at least one electrode to provide electrical stimulation to the neural tissue; closing all incisions made to implant the lead so that the lead is completely implanted in the patient; and adjusting, at any time after the step of closing all the incisions, the position of the lead so that it moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lead.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and assembly for electrically and/or chemically stimulating individual ganglion and a plurality of ganglia of the nervous system, and particularly to ganglia of the sympathetic nerve chain. A device is provided that generally wraps around an individual ganglion and conforms to the shape of the ganglion without exerting excessive pressure on the ganglion to damage the ganglion. An assembly is also provided that includes an axially elongated shaft that can be positioned adjacent to the sympathetic nerve chain and that can receive a plurality of ganglion stimulators that can slidably engage with the outer surface of the shaft. As additional ganglia are desired to be stimulated, each of the plurality of ganglion stimulators can be added to the shaft to engage the outer surface of the shaft and can be positioned adjacent to the ganglia desired to be stimulated.

Abstract: A microinfusion device, comprising: (a) a subcutaneously implantable reservoir configured to contain a drug, the reservoir being mountable within a burr hole of a skull of a subject; (b) a dose control system configured to control flow of the drug; and (c) a microcatheter configured to deliver the drug from the reservoir to a target location. Another embodiment provides a microinfusion device, comprising: a subcutaneously implantable reservoir configured to contain a drug, the implantable reservoir having at least two outlets. A further embodiment provides a microinfusion device, comprising: (a) a subcutaneously implantable reservoir configured to contain a drug, the reservoir being mountable within a burr hole in a skull of a patient, the reservoir being ring-shaped; and (b) a microcatheter configured to deliver the drug from the reservoir to a target location.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to apparatus and techniques that aid in the removal or explantation of an implantable medical device (IMD) under the scalp of a patient. The various embodiments of the invention address risks associated with the explantation, such as the risk of damage to leads, the risk of damage to the IMD, the risk that the incision may hinder the explantation, and the risk that the IMD may be difficult to remove. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus that help the surgeon identify the location of the implanted elements, and that protect the implanted elements from inadvertent damage. In other embodiments, the invention is directed to techniques that facilitate the removal of the IMD.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to apparatus and techniques that aid in the removal or explantation of an implantable medical device (IMD) under the scalp of a patient. The various embodiments of the invention address risks associated with the explantation, such as the risk of damage to leads, the risk of damage to the IMD, the risk that the incision may hinder the explantation, and the risk that the IMD may be difficult to remove. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus that help the surgeon identify the location of the implanted elements, and that protect the implanted elements from inadvertent damage. In other embodiments, the invention is directed to techniques that facilitate the removal of the IMD.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to apparatus and techniques that aid in the removal or explantation of an implantable medical device (IMD) under the scalp of a patient. The various embodiments of the invention address risks associated with the explantation, such as the risk of damage to leads, the risk of damage to the IMD, the risk that the incision may hinder the explantation, and the risk that the IMD may be difficult to remove. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus that help the surgeon identify the location of the implanted elements, and that protect the implanted elements from inadvertent damage. In other embodiments, the invention is directed to techniques that facilitate the removal of the IMD.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and assembly for electrically and/or chemically stimulating individual ganglion and a plurality of ganglia of the nervous system, and particularly to ganglia of the sympathetic nerve chain. A device is provided that generally wraps around an individual ganglion and conforms to the shape of the ganglion without exerting excessive pressure on the ganglion to damage the ganglion. An assembly is also provided that includes an axially elongated shaft that can be positioned adjacent to the sympathetic nerve chain and that can receive a plurality of ganglion stimulators that can slidably engage with the outer surface of the shaft. As additional ganglia are desired to be stimulated, each of the plurality of ganglion stimulators can be added to the shaft to engage the outer surface of the shaft and can be positioned adjacent to the ganglia desired to be stimulated.

Abstract: A method of affecting a sleep disorder in a subject having the sleep disorder and a method of affecting a normal awakeness-sleep cycle in a subject having an abnormal awakeness-sleep cycle, said methods comprising: a) identifying at least one nucleus in a brain of the subject, said nucleus being a nucleus of the sleep circuitry of the brain; and b) stimulating the at least one identified nucleus so as to modulate the nucleus, thereby affecting the sleep disorder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for advancing a device (12) underneath the skin (102) in a mammalian body comprises a casing (50) made of a magnetic material. The casing (50) has a closed tip (64) at one end and an aperture (65) in an opposite end. The casing (50) includes an annular inner surface (70) that defines a cavity (76) within the casing for receiving a device (12) that projects through the aperture (65). The casing (50) further includes structure for attaching to the device (12). The casing (50) is operable to advance the device (12) through tissue (100) underlying the skin (102) in response to movement of a magnetic field across the skin.

Abstract: A device and method for stimulating neural tissue in a patient comprising: providing a lead having opposed first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis therebetween wherein the lead having at least one electrode provided thereon for delivering electrical stimulation; implanting the lead adjacent the neural tissue; applying electrical signals to the at least one electrode to provide electrical stimulation to the neural tissue; closing all incisions made to implant the lead so that the lead is completely implanted in the patient; and adjusting, at any time after the step of closing all the incisions, the position of the lead so that it moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lead.

Abstract: A microinfusion device, comprising: (a) a subcutaneously implantable reservoir configured to contain a drug, the reservoir being mountable within a burr hole of a skull of a subject; (b) a dose control system configured to control flow of the drug; and (c) a microcatheter to deliver the drug from the reservoir to a target location. Another embodiment provides a microinfusion device, comprising: a subcutaneously implantable reservoir configured to contain a drug, the implantable reservoir having at least two outlets. A further embodiment provides a microinfusion device, comprising: (a) a subcutaneously implantable reservoir configured to contain a drug, the reservoir being mountable within a burr hole in a skull of a patient, the reservoir being ring-shaped; and (b) a microcatheter configured to deliver the drug from the reservoir to a target location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a neural stimulation delivery device to deliver electrical and/or chemical stimulation to target sites in the central and peripheral nervous system. The device generally includes a tubular body defining a plurality of ports along the longitudinal axis thereof, a plurality of delivery structures insertable in the body, and a control mechanism in communication with the plurality of delivery structures to independently move each of the plurality of delivery structures through a respective one of the plurality of ports with respect to each other of the plurality of delivery structures. The ability of each delivery structure to be independently moveable through a respective port allows each delivery structure to be selectively advanced or retracted independent of the movement of another delivery structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of affecting chronic pain by electrically and/or chemically stimulating target sites of the pain circuitry associated with chronic pain. Such target sites include cerebral target sites, including limbic structures, associated with the emotional and suffering components of chronic pain, as well as deep brain target sites associated with the affective and sensory components of chronic pain. Also provided is a method of affecting chronic pain by stimulating a target site of the pain circuitry associated with chronic pain to stimulate the synthesis or release of endogenous opioids.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to apparatus and techniques that aid in the removal or explantation of an implantable medical device (IMD) under the scalp of a patient. The various embodiments of the invention address risks associated with the explantation, such as the risk of damage to leads, the risk of damage to the IMD, the risk that the incision may hinder the explantation, and the risk that the IMD may be difficult to remove. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus that help the surgeon identify the location of the implanted elements, and that protect the implanted elements from inadvertent damage. In other embodiments, the invention is directed to techniques that facilitate the removal of the IMD.