Treatment of movement disorders by brain stimulation

Abstract

Systems for treating a movement disorder include a system control unit configured to be implanted at least partially within a patient and to generate at least one stimulus in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters adjusted to treat the movement disorder. The systems further include a programmable memory unit in communication with the system control unit and programmed to store the one or more stimulation parameters to at least partially define the stimulus such that the stimulus is configured to treat the movement disorder. A means for applying the stimulus to one or more stimulation sites within the patient is operably connected to the system control unit.

1 . A system for treating a movement disorder, said system comprising: 
 a system control unit configured to be implanted entirely within the brain of a patient and to generate at least one stimulus in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters adjusted to treat said movement disorder;    a programmable memory unit in communication with said system control unit and programmed to store said one or more stimulation parameters to at least partially define said stimulus such that said stimulus is configured to increase neural activity of the nucleus tractus solitarius; and    means, operably connected to said system control unit, for applying said stimulus to the nucleus tractus solitarius.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said means for applying said at least one stimulus comprises at least one electrode, and wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered to the nucleus tractus solitarius via said at least one electrode.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said stimulation current comprises one or more stimulation pulses having: 
 an amplitude substantially greater than or equal to 0.05 milliamps and substantially less than or equal to 5.0 milliamps; and    a frequency substantially less than or equal to 100 Hertz.    
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said means for applying said at least one stimulus comprises at least one infusion outlet, and wherein said stimulus comprises one or more drugs delivered to the nucleus tractus solitarius via said at least one infusion outlet.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said one or more drugs comprise at least one or more of an excitatory neurotransmitter, an excitatory cortical neurotransmitter agonist, an inhibitory neurotransmitter antagonist, an agent that increases the level of an excitatory neurotransmitter, and an agent that decreases the level of an inhibitory neurotransmitter.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a sensor communicatively coupled to said system control unit and configured to sense at least one condition related to said movement disorder;    wherein said system control unit uses said at least one sensed condition to adjust one or more of said stimulation parameters.    
     
     
         7 . A system for treating a movement disorder, said system comprising: 
 a system control unit configured to be implanted at least partially within a patient and to generate at least one stimulus in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters adjusted to treat said movement disorder;    a programmable memory unit in communication with said system control unit and programmed to store said one or more stimulation parameters to at least partially define said stimulus such that said stimulus is configured to increase neural activity of at least one stimulation site within the brain of said patient; and    means, operably connected to said system control unit, for applying said stimulus to said at least one stimulation site;    wherein said at least one stimulation site comprises at least one or more of the nucleus tractus solitarius, pallido-subthalamic tracts, and putamen to GPi fibers.    
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said means for applying said at least one stimulus comprises at least one electrode, and wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered to said at least one stimulation site via said at least one electrode.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said stimulation current comprises one or more stimulation pulses having a frequency substantially less than or equal to 100 Hertz.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a lead coupled to said system control unit;    wherein said at least one electrode is disposed on a surface of said lead.    
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one electrode is disposed on an outer surface of said system control unit.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said means for applying said at least one stimulus comprises at least one infusion outlet, and wherein said stimulus comprises one or more drugs delivered to said at least one stimulation site via said at least one infusion outlet.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said means for applying said at least one stimulus further comprises at least one catheter coupling said infusion outlet to said system control unit.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a sensor communicatively coupled to said system control unit and configured to sense at least one condition related to said movement disorder;    wherein said system control unit uses said at least one sensed condition to adjust one or more of said stimulation parameters.    
     
     
         15 . A system for treating a movement disorder, said system comprising: 
 a system control unit configured to be implanted at least partially within a patient and to generate at least one stimulus in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters adjusted to treat said movement disorder;    a programmable memory unit in communication with said system control unit and programmed to store said one or more stimulation parameters to at least partially define said stimulus such that said stimulus is configured to decrease neural activity of at least one stimulation site within the brain of said patient; and    means, operably connected to said system control unit, for applying said stimulus to said at least one stimulation site;    wherein said at least one stimulation site comprises at least one or more of the pallido-thalamic axons, putamen to GPe fibers, and subthalamo-pallidal fibers.    
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said means for applying said at least one stimulus comprises at least one electrode, and wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered to said at least one stimulation site via said at least one electrode.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said stimulation current comprises one or more stimulation pulses having a frequency substantially greater than or equal to 100 Hertz.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a lead coupled to said system control unit;    wherein said at least one electrode is disposed on a surface of said lead.    
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one electrode is disposed on an outer surface of said system control unit.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said means for applying said at least one stimulus comprises at least one infusion outlet, and wherein said stimulus comprises one or more drugs delivered to said at least one stimulation site via said at least one infusion outlet.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein said means for applying said at least one stimulus further comprises at least one catheter coupling said infusion outlet to said system control unit.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 a sensor communicatively coupled to said system control unit and configured to sense at least one condition related to said movement disorder;    wherein said system control unit uses said at least one sensed condition to adjust one or more of said stimulation parameters.