Abstract: The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for intracranial electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. The methods in accordance with the invention can be used to treat brain damage (e.g., stroke, trauma, etc.), brain disease (e.g., Alzheimer's, Pick's, Parkinson's, etc.), and/or brain disorders (e.g., epilepsy, depression, etc.). The methods in accordance with the invention can also be used to enhance neural-function of normal, healthy brains (e.g., learning, memory, etc.), or to control sensory functions (e.g., pain).

Abstract: A device and method for intracranial electrical stimulation to effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient, by electrical stimulating the brain at a site where neuroplasticity is occurring or is expected to occur, where 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. In one embodiment in which neuroplasticity is related to the neural-function occurs in the brain, identifying the location where such neuroplasticity is present or expected to occur. Where neuroplasticity is not occurring in the brain, an alternative aspect is to induce neuroplasticity at a stimulation site where it is expected to occur. The methods can use electrical pulses that increase the resting membrane potential of neurons at the stimulation site to a subthreshold level.

Abstract: System and method for automatically optimizing the stimulus parameters and/or the configuration of electrodes to provide neural stimulation to a patient, the system includes an electrode array having a support member configured to be implanted into the 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 that generates command signals that define the stimulus delivered by the pulse system, evaluates the response signals from the sensing device, and determines a desired configuration for the therapy electrodes and/or a desired stimulus to be delivered to the therapy electrodes.

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 singals 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: Test procedures for determining a neural stimulation threshold of a patient. In one embodiment, the procedure includes applying a test stimulation signal to the patient and monitoring the patient for a response to the test stimulation signal. The procedure can further include determining a first neural stimulation threshold and calculating a second neural stimulation threshold. The first neural stimulation threshold corresponds to the lowest intensity test stimulation signal that evokes a patient response. The second neural stimulation threshold corresponds to a treatment stimulation signal directed toward affecting a neural activity within the patient.

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 the 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: Systems and methods for treating a neurological disorder comprising determining a first set of neural stimulation parameters capable of treating a first subset of symptoms, determining a second set of neural stimulation parameters capable of treating a second subset of symptoms, and applying a neural stimulation therapy based upon the first set of neural stimulation parameters and the second set of neural stimulation parameters to the patient. The first set of neural stimulation parameters can include electrical stimulation at a first frequency, and the second set of neural stimulation parameters can include electrical stimulation at a second frequency. In other embodiments, a treatment method comprises applying a first neural stimulation therapy to the patient in a continuous or generally continuous manner during a first time interval, and applying a second neural stimulation therapy to the patient in a noncontinuous or interrupted manner following the first time interval.

Abstract: Electrodes designed in accordance with the present invention may selectively employ arc shaped contacts; variations in contact number, positioning, spacing, and/or distribution; variations in contact area, size, or periphery; and/or on-electrode conductive links or interconnections between particular contacts to provide enhanced efficiency neural stimulation, and/or increased electrode reliability.

Abstract: Systems and methods for neural stimulation may include a stimulus unit; a first electrode assembly having a first set of contacts; and a second set of contacts. The stimulus unit can be an implantable pulse generator including a first terminal that can be biased at a first signal polarity and a second terminal that can be biased at a second signal polarity. The first electrode assembly includes a support member configured to be placed at the stimulation site, the first set of contacts carried by the support member, and a first lead configured to be attached to the first terminal of the implantable pulse generator for biasing the surface contacts at the first polarity. The second set of contacts is detached from the surface electrode assembly. The second set of contacts can be one or more conductive elements fixed to or forming portions of the implantable pulse generator, or a separate electrode array.

Abstract: Test procedures for determining a neural stimulation threshold of a patient. In one embodiment, the procedure includes applying a test stimulation signal to the patient and monitoring the patient for a response to the test stimulation signal. The procedure can further include determining a first neural stimulation threshold and calculating a second neural stimulation threshold. The first neural stimulation threshold corresponds to the lowest intensity test stimulation signal that evokes a patient response. The second neural stimulation threshold corresponds to a treatment stimulation signal directed toward affecting a neural activity within the patient.

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: The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for intracranial electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. The methods in accordance with the invention can be used to treat brain damage (e.g., stroke, trauma, etc.), brain disease (e.g., Alzheimer's, Pick's, Parkinson's, etc.), and/or brain disorders (e.g., epilepsy, depression, etc.). The methods in accordance with the invention can also be used to enhance neural-function of normal, healthy brains (e.g., learning, memory, etc.), or to control sensory functions (e.g., pain).

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: 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: 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 the 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: 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: 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: Systems and methods for patient interactive neural stimulation and/or chemical substance delivery are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes affecting a target neural population of the patient by providing to the patient at least one of an electromagnetic signal and a chemical substance. The method can further include detecting at least one characteristic of the patient, with the characteristic at least correlated with the patient's performance of an adjunctive therapy task that is performed in association with affecting the target neural population. The method can still further include controlling at least one parameter in accordance with which the target neural population is affected, based at least in part on the detected characteristic.

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 singals 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.