Abstract: Apparatus and methods for regulating the appetite of an individual suffering from morbid obesity, the apparatus including a plurality of stimulation electrodes arranged longitudinally on at least one electrode support shaft for insertion within the hypothalamus for outputting electrical discharges to specific sites within the hypothalamus. Each of the plurality of stimulation electrodes may be independently controlled. Electrical discharge of various frequencies transmitted from one or more of the plurality of stimulation electrodes, and delivered to a region of the hypothalamus that is involved with either stimulating or inhibiting appetite, may be used to regulate appetite in the individual. Alternatively, an individual's appetite may be regulated by the microinfusion from at least one microinfusion catheter of an appropriate quantity of a suitable drug to a distinct site or region within the hypothalamus.

Abstract: An electrode array includes a flexible substrate, and a plurality of electrodes disposed on the flexible substrate. The flexible substrate is preferably formed of polyimide. The contacts preferably have a diameter in the range of approximately 10 &mgr;m to 1 mm. The an electrode array is manufactured by forming a plurality of electrodes on a flexible substrate by forming a metal line on the flexible substrate for each of the plurality of electrodes by depositing one or more metals using electron beam evaporation and then patterning the one or more metals and forming a contact on the flexible substrate for each of the plurality of electrodes using one of electroplating and embossing, and then forming an insulating film on the flexible substrate except over the contacts and areas of the electrodes utilized for connections to an electrical device.

Abstract: A neural prosthetic device for reducing or eliminating the effects of tinnitus is inserted into a tinnitus patient's primary auditory cortex (or thalamus). The prosthetic device includes a stimulation device for outputting processed electrical signals and an electrode arranged in the primary auditory cortex having a plurality of electrical contacts. Each of the plurality of electrical contacts independently outputs electrical discharges in accordance with the electrical signals. In another embodiment, a catheter is inserted into the tinnitus patient's primary auditory cortex or thalamus. The catheter microinfuses drugs which suppress or eliminate abnormal neural activity into disperse geometric locations in the cortex or thalamus, thereby reducing or eliminating the effects of the patient's tinnitus.

Abstract: A neural prosthetic device for an auditory cortex of a patient has a support arranged in the auditory cortex with a plurality of electrical contacts and is connected to a speech processor for receiving and processing audio information and outputting processed electrical signals. Each of the plurality of electrical contacts independently outputs electrical discharges in accordance with the processed electrical signals. The plurality of electrical-contacts are arranged to approximately tonotopically match the auditory cortex. Methods and apparatus for selectively treating or inactivating neurons within the brain of a patient. The apparatus includes a dual purpose multicontact neuron-monitoring electrode assembly and an introducer tube for introducing the electrode assembly within the patient in the vicinity of the target tissue. The apparatus and methods of the instant invention are particularly suited to performing magnetic pallidotomy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: Catheter advancing assembly having a stylet including a shaft, and a catheter advancing piece including a rod having a bore therethrough. The bore of the rod accommodates a portion of the shaft of the stylet. A holding unit affixed to the proximal end of the shaft, to be used in conjunction with a grasping unit affixed to the rod, allows for the holding and manipulation of the catheter advancing assembly with only one hand. A method for making a catheter advancing assembly of the invention is disclosed, as well as a method for advancing a ventricular catheter within a ventricular catheter in a “soft” manner using only one hand.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for displaying and using a shaped field of a repositionable magnet to move, guide, and/or steer a magnetic seed or catheter in living tissue for medicinal purposes. A moveable magnet assembly and a portion of a patient's body undergoing magnetically-aided surgery are both provided with fiducial markers. The portion of the patient's body is fixed in a location in which the fiducial markers are sensed and located by a set of localizers. The positions of the fiducial markers are determined by a processor, which operates on a stored representation of the magnetic field of a magnet in the magnet assembly to provide a display of the present magnetic field of the magnet. This display may be superimposed over an MRI, X-ray or CAT image during surgery. The repositionable magnet can be an electromagnet. In some embodiments, a computer calculates orientations and currents for an external electromagnet to move the implanted magnetic object in the patient's body through a desired path.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for regulating the appetite of an individual suffering from morbid obesity, the apparatus including a plurality of stimulation electrodes arranged longitudinally on at least one electrode support shaft for insertion within the hypothalamus for outputting electrical discharges to specific sites within the hypothalamus. Each of the plurality of stimulation electrodes may be independently controlled. Electrical discharge of various frequencies transmitted from one or more of the plurality of stimulation electrodes, and delivered to a region of the hypothalamus that is involved with either stimulating or inhibiting appetite, may be used to regulate appetite in the individual. Alternatively, an individual's appetite may be regulated by the microinfusion from at least one microinfusion catheter of an appropriate quantity of a suitable drug to a distinct site or region within the hypothalamus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mapping a patient's brain includes analyzing the waveform of electrical action potentials generated in the patient's brain to determine whether the waveforms match one or more predetermined waveforms. A system embodying the invention includes waveform discriminator circuitry capable of comparing the waveform of a sensed electrical action potential to predetermined waveforms. A system embodying the invention may also include a user interface for selecting a waveform and a transducer for generating a user recognizable signal when a waveform of a sensed electrical action potential matches a selected waveform.

Abstract: A frameless stereotaxis skull fiducial marker system uses custom-formed mouthpieces fitted to maxillary and mandibular teeth. A relatively thick medial portion of a tapered U-shaped bar is attached to a forward projecting connector on a mouthpiece. Thin distal ends of the rigid U-shaped bar support fiducial markers. The customized mouthpiece is stored for repeated use on a patient. The rigid bar may be connected to mouthpieces customized for several patients.

Abstract: A posterior burr hole Vocalizer device comprises a head band for attachment to a patient's head, a band constriction unit for adjusting the diameter of the head band, a sagittal plane aligning piece, and a trajectory plane aligning piece. The device is properly positioned on a patient's head in relation to the supraorbital rims and the superior attachment point of the patient's external ears in order to define an optimum location for a posterior burr hole site. Methods of making such a burr hole localizer device are also disclosed, together with methods for locating an anterior target site and an optimum posterior burr hole site.

Abstract: A remote control system and method for remotely controlling a supply of electrical power to an electrically powered device, the system comprising transmitting means for transmitting electromagnetic radiation, receiving means for receiving electromagnetic radiation, and first and second switching means. The remote control system and method provides for the hands-free operation of such an electrically powered device while allowing the operator the freedom of mobility in spatial relationship to the electrically powered device.

Abstract: A self-clearing bone biting surgical instrument comprises a stationary lower arm, including a lower arm recess and a foot plate; and a reciprocating upper arm, including a cutting tip located at its distal end for engagement with the foot plate in order to effect cutting or punching of tissue positioned between the foot plate and the cutting tip. An ejecting unit movable within the lower arm recess forcibly ejects debris lodged against the foot plate as the upper arm reciprocates rearwardly as part of the normal operating process of the instrument. A method of making a self-clearing bone biting instrument of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A neural prosthetic device for an auditory cortex of a patient has a support arranged in the auditory cortex with a plurality of electrical contacts and is connected to a speech processor for receiving and processing audio information and outputting processed electrical signals. Each of the plurality of electrical contacts independently outputs electrical discharges in accordance with the processed electrical signals. The plurality of electrical contacts are arranged to approximately tonotopically match the auditory cortex.And, methods and apparatus for selectively treating or inactivating neurons within the brain of a patient. The apparatus includes a dual purpose multicontact neuron-monitoring electrode assembly and an introducer tube for introducing the electrode assembly within a patient in the vicinity of the target tissue. The apparatus and methods of the instant invention are particularly suited to performing magnetic pallidotomy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: A method for passing information between the auditory cortex of a patient and a speech processor or other information processing device or stimulating device. The method utilizes a wireless neural prosthetic device with a plurality of electrical contacts and involves arranging the prosthetic device in the auditory cortex of a patient. The method further involves arranging each of the plurality of electrical contacts such that they may independently output electrical discharges in accordance with the processed electrical signals. The plurality of electrical contacts may be arranged to approximately tonotopically match the auditory cortex.

Abstract: A wireless neural prosthetic device for a primary auditory cortex of a patient includes either a speech processor or a stimulating device for receiving and processing information and a wireless electrode arranged in the primary auditory cortex having a plurality of electrical contacts. The electrode can be arranged in the patient's primary auditory cortex and each of the plurality of electrical contacts independently outputs electrical discharges in accordance with the processed electrical signals. The plurality of electrical contacts can be arranged to approximately tonotopically match the primary auditory cortex.

Abstract: A method for implanting a neural prosthetic into a target zone of a patient's brain for reducing or eliminating the effects of tinnitus. The prosthetic includes a stimulation device for outputting processed electrical signals and an electrode which is arranged in the target zone having a plurality of electrical contacts. Each of the plurality of electrical contacts independently outputs electrical discharges in accordance with the electrical signals.

Abstract: A neural prosthetic drug delivery apparatus for reducing or eliminating the effects of tinnitus. The apparatus includes a catheter which is inserted into the patient's auditory cortex or thalamus. The catheter microinfuses drugs which suppress or eliminate abnormal neural activity into geometrically separate locations of the patient's brain, thereby reducing or eliminating the effects of tinnitus. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a stimulation device for outputting processed electrical signals and an electrode having a plurality of electrical contacts which is arranged in a target zone of the patient's brain. Each of the plurality of electrical contacts independently outputs electrical discharges in accordance with the electrical signals.

Abstract: A neural prosthetic device for reducing or eliminating the effects of tinnitus is inserted into a tinnitus patient's primary auditory cortex (or thalamus). The prosthetic device includes a stimulation device for outputting processed electrical signals and an electrode arranged in the primary auditory cortex having a plurality of electrical contacts. Each of the plurality of electrical contacts independently outputs electrical discharges in accordance with the electrical signals. In another embodiment, a catheter is inserted into the tinnitus patient's primary auditory cortex or thalamus. The catheter microinfuses drugs which suppress or eliminate abnormal neural activity into disperse geometric locations in the cortex or thalamus, thereby reducing or eliminating the effects of the patient's tinnitus.

Abstract: A method for implanting a neural prosthetic drug delivery apparatus into a target zone of a patient's brain for reducing or eliminating the effects of tinnitus. The apparatus includes a catheter which is inserted into the patient's auditory cortex or thalamus. The catheter microinfuses drugs which suppress or eliminate abnormal neural activity into geometrically separate locations of the patient's cortex or thalamus, thereby reducing or eliminating the effects of tinnitus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for placement of ventriculoperitoneal shunts in human patients. More particularly, the present invention provides means for accurate and safe placement of ventriculoperitoneal shunts from a posterior approach.