| Northstar Neuroscience, Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20100185268 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Implantable medical devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed. An implantable device in accordance with one embodiment can include a signal generator positioned to be implanted in a patient. The signal generator includes a housing and a plurality of selectively electrically activatable portions at an external surface of the housing. The implantable device can also include a remote electrode device having at least one electrode positioned to be implanted beneath the patient's skull, and a lead coupleable to the electrode device and the signal generator. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100185256 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ESTABLISHING, ADJUSTING, AND/OR MODULATING PARAMETERS FOR NEURAL STIMULATION BASED ON FUNCTIONAL AND/OR STRUCTURAL MEASUREMENTS - Methods and systems for establishing, adjusting, and/or modulating parameters for neural stimulation based, at least in part, on functional and/or structural measurements are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes measuring a volume of functionally active neural tissue within a patient's central nervous system both before and after affecting a target neural population of the patient with electromagnetic stimulation. The method further includes controlling at least one signal delivery parameter with which the electromagnetic stimulation is applied to the patient based, at least in part, on the measured difference in the volume of functionally active neural tissue. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100036453 | TECHNIQUES FOR SELECTING SIGNAL DELIVERY SITES AND OTHER PARAMETERS FOR TREATING DEPRESSION AND OTHER NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present disclosure is directed generally to techniques for selecting signal delivery sites and other signal delivery parameters for treating depression and other neurological disorders, and associated systems and methods. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes obtaining first imaging information corresponding to a first region of a patient's brain, the first imaging information being based at least in part on functional characteristics of the first region. The method further includes obtaining second imaging information corresponding to a second region of the patient's brain, the second region being a subset of the first region, the second imaging information being based at least in part on functional or structural characteristics of the second region. A target neural population is then selected based at least in part on the second imaging information. The method still further includes applying an electromagnetic signal to the target neural population to improve a patient function. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20090299435 | Systems and Methods for Enhancing or Affecting Neural Stimulation Efficiency and/or Efficacy - 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. Stimulation signals providing reduced power consumption with at least adequate symptomatic relief may be applied prior to moderate or significant power source depletion. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090299126 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (ASD) AND RELATED DYSFUNCTIONS - Systems and methods for treating autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and related dysfunctions are disclosed. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes determining that a patient suffers from an autistic disorder and, based at least in part on the determination, selecting a cortical signal delivery site. The method can further include implanting an electrode within the patient's skull and external to a cortical surface of the patient's brain, and treating the autistic disorder by applying electrical signals to the implanted electrode in conjunction administering an adjunctive therapy to the patient. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090149898 | Systems and Methods for Providing Targeted Neural Stimulation Therapy to Address Neurological Disorders, Including Neuropyschiatric and Neuropyschological Disorders - Systems and methods for providing targeted neural stimulation therapy to address neurological disorders, including neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological disorders are disclosed. A method for treating a patient's neurological disorder in accordance with a particular embodiment includes, in a patient identified as having at least one of a neuropsychological disorder and a neuropsychiatric disorder, implanting at least one stimulation electrode within the patient's skull cavity, and outside a cortical surface of the patient's brain. The electrode is implanted at a location in a range of about 15 mm to about 35 mm anterior to a precentral sulcus reference point that is positioned at the precentral sulcus and at the patient's middle frontal gyrus. The method can further include treating the patient's disorder by applying electrical stimulation to the patient via the at least one stimulation electrode. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090131995 | MICRODEVICE-BASED ELECTRODE ASSEMBLIES AND ASSOCIATED NEURAL STIMULATION SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS - Microdevice-based electrode assemblies and associated neurostimulation systems, devices and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a microdevice positioned to send signals or fluids to the patient, and/or to receive signals or fluids from the patient. The microdevice can include a housing having an external surface, and a signal/fluid transmitter/receiver positioned within the housing and coupled to a terminal carried by the housing. The system can further include a patient-implantable, flexible support member attached to the external surface of the housing and carrying the housing. The system can still further include an interface carried by the support member and connected to the terminal, with the interface being positioned to direct signals or fluids into patient tissue, and/or receive signals or fluids from the patient tissue. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090124848 | Receptacles for Implanted Device Control Magnets, and Associated Systems and Methods - Receptacles for implanted device control magnets, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes a magnet receptacle that in turn has a first portion with a first magnetically conductive material and a second portion with a second magnetically conductive material. At least one of the first and second portions can be moveable relative to the other between a closed configuration and an open configuration, with the first and second portions forming a cavity when in the closed configuration, and with the first magnetically conductive material proximate to a first side of the cavity and the second magnetically conductive material proximate to a second side of the cavity facing toward the first side. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090118788 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTUATING A LASTING CHANGE IN A NEURAL-FUNCTION OF A PATIENT - The present disclosure suggests methods of selecting a stimulation site for stimulating a patient's brain or methods of effectuating a neural-function of a patient associated with an impaired body function. In one exemplary implementation, such a neural function may be effectuated by selecting a stimulation site, positioning at least a first electrode at the stimulation site, and applying an electrical potential to pass a current through the first electrode. If one aspect, this stimulation site may be selected by a) identifying a second body function that is a corollary to the impaired body function, and b) determining a corollary location of the patient's brain that is associated with the second body function and is ipsilateral to the impaired body function. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090099622 | Methods and Systems for Establishing Neural Stimulation Parameters and Providing Neural Stimulation - 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. For example, if the current density is not sufficient when the current is applied to the full plurality of electrodes at approximately the maximum output of the pulse generator, then the current level from the pulse generator can be applied to only a subset of the electrodes to effectively increase the current density in the cortex at the active electrodes. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090093862 | Systems and Methods for Automatically Optimizing Stimulus Parameters and Electrode configurations for neuro-stimulators - 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. The controller includes a computer operable medium 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. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090076567 | Electrode Configurations for Reducing Invasiveness and/or Enhancing Neural Stimulation Efficacy, and Associated Methods - Electrode configurations for reducing invasiveness and/or enhancing neural stimulation efficacy, and associated methods, are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention for treating a brain disorder includes identifying a target neural structure within a patient's skull and implanting an electrode device within the patient's skull so that an axis that is generally normal to the skull proximate to the electrode device and that passes through at least one electrical contact of the electrode device is offset from the target neural structure. The method further includes stimulating the target neural structure by applying an electrical signal to the at least one electrical contact. In particular embodiments, the electrode device can be positioned between, along, across, or adjacent to a fissure, recess, groove, and/or vascular structure of the patient's brain. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20080249591 | CONTROLLERS FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - Controllers for implantable medical devices, and associated methods are disclosed. A device in accordance with one embodiment includes a hand-held housing, an image display device carried by the housing, and an input device carried by the housing. In particular embodiments, one portion of the housing can be rotatable relative to the other, or at a fixed, non-zero angle relative to the other, with the image display device and the input device carried by one portion and a wireless communication device carried by the other portion. A controller can be operatively coupled to the image display device to control the orientation of an image (e.g., whether the image is upright or inverted), presented at the display device in response to a signal received from the input device. The image can include a user-selectable icon, e.g., for controlling parameters associated with delivering therapeutic electromagnetic signals to a patient. Inverting the image can give both a patient and a practitioner improved access to the device. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080215112 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTUATING A LASTING CHANGE IN A NEURAL-FUNCTION OF A PATIENT - 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. Several embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention are directed toward enhancing or otherwise inducing a lasting change in neural activity to effectuate a particular neural-function. Such lasting change in neural activity is defined as “neuroplasticity.” 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). Certain embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention electrically stimulate the brain at a stimulation site where neuroplasticity is 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. In one embodiment in which neuroplasticity related to the neural-function occurs in the brain, the method can include identifying the location where such neuroplasticity is present. In an alternative embodiment in which neuroplasticity is not occurring in the brain, an alternative aspect is to induce neuroplasticity at a stimulation site where it is expected to occur. Several embodiments of these methods that are expected to produce a lasting effect on the intended neural activity at the stimulation site use electrical pulses that increase the resting membrane potential of neurons at the stimulation site to a subthreshold level. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080208291 | FREQUENCY SHIFT KEYING (FSK) MAGNETIC TELEMETRY FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A telemetry receive unit for use in an implantable medical device or system can include a coil unit, a single-bit analog to digital converter (ADC), a finite impulse response filter (FIR) coupled to the single-bit ADC, and an accumulator coupled to one or more filter taps of the FIR filter. The accumulator, in operation, can produce one or more data recognition signals corresponding to sampled bits at least temporarily stored at the FIR filter. In several examples, the data recognition signals discriminate between frequency modulated signals that are received at the coil unit, including frequency shift keying (FSK) modulated signals. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080208285 | Methods for Treating Neurological Disorders, Including Neuropsychiatric and Neuropsychological, Disorders, and Associated Systems - Methods for treating neurological disorders, including neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological disorders, and associated systems are disclosed. One such method includes identifying one or more neural populations, including a cortical target neural population, associated with a neurological condition. The method can further include comparing a patient-specific measure of a characteristic parameter for a selected one of the neural populations with a target measure for the same parameter. If the patient-specific measure differs from the target measure by at least a target amount, the method can include selecting an electrical signal polarity, frequency, or both polarity and frequency based at least in part on the difference between the patient-specific measure and the target measure. The method can further include applying electrical signals to the target neural population at the selected signal polarity, frequency, or both polarity and frequency to reduce the difference between the patient-specific measure and the target measure. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080200925 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SECURING ELECTRODE LEADS - Methods and systems for securing electrode leads are disclosed. An electrode system in accordance with one embodiment includes an electrode contact, a connector attached to the electrode contact, and an electrical lead. The electrical lead can be received in an opening of the contact, with an inner surface of the opening applying a generally uniform radial pressure around a circumference of the electrical lead. For example, the contact can have a tubular shape, optionally with an elongated slit, and can be crimped around the lead to apply the generally uniform radial pressure. | 08-21-2008 |
