Neural stimulation and optical monitoring systems and methods

Abstract

Neural stimulation and optical monitoring systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for treating a neural condition includes a signal delivery device configured to be implanted into a patient proximate to a skull of the patient and positioned to apply electromagnetic signals to one or more target sites within the patient. The apparatus also includes an implantable optical monitoring assembly configured to monitor optical properties at one or more optical monitoring sites within the patient. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to be implanted into the patient. The controller is operatively coupled to the signal delivery device and the optical monitoring assembly and programmed to control both the signal delivery device and the optical monitoring assembly. The controller also includes a power source to power both the signal delivery device and the optical monitoring assembly.

1 . An apparatus for treating a neural condition, comprising:
 a signal delivery device configured to be implanted into a patient proximate to a skull of the patient and positioned to apply electromagnetic signals to one or more target sites within the patient;   an implantable optical monitoring assembly configured to monitor optical properties at one or more optical monitoring sites within the patient; and   a controller configured to be implanted into the patient, the controller being operatively coupled to the signal delivery device and the optical monitoring assembly and programmed to control both the signal delivery device and the optical monitoring assembly, and wherein the controller includes a power source to power both the signal delivery device and the optical monitoring assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the signal delivery device comprises at least one electrode configured to be implanted within the skull of the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the signal delivery device comprises an electrode configured to be positioned proximate to a cortical surface within the skull of the patient. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the optical monitoring assembly comprises:
 an implantable support member configured to be implanted within the skull of the patient;   one or more optical emission elements carried by the support member; and   one or more optical detection elements carried by the support member, wherein the one or more optical emission elements and the one or more optical detection elements are arranged relative to each other to detect optical signals from the one or more optical monitoring sites.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the one or more optical detection elements and the one or more optical emission elements are arranged relative to each other to detect optical signals that are scattered, reflected, and/or emitted by target tissues at the one or more optical monitoring sites. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the one or more optical detection elements and the one or more optical emission elements comprise at least one of an optical fiber, a wavelength filter, and an optical signaling element. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the one or more optical detection elements and the one or more optical emission elements are separated from each other by approximately 0.5 cm to approximately 5.0 cm. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the one or more optical detection elements and the one or more optical emission elements are separated from each other by approximately 2.0 cm to approximately 3.0 cm. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein a plurality of optical detection elements are arranged equidistant or approximately equidistant from an optical emission element. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein a plurality of optical emission elements are arranged equidistant or approximately equidistant from an optical detection element. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the optical monitoring assembly is a first optical monitoring assembly, and wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more additional optical monitoring assemblies positioned to monitor optical properties at the one or more optical monitoring sites. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the one or more target sites are first target sites and the optical monitoring assembly is a first optical monitoring assembly, and wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 a second optical monitoring assembly positioned to at least one of (a) monitor optical properties at the one or more optical monitoring sites, and (b) apply electromagnetic signals to the one or more second target sites.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the second optical monitoring assembly comprises:
 an implantable second support member configured to be implanted within the skull of the patient;   one or more electrodes carried by the second support member and configured to receive and apply signals to the one or more second target sites;   one or more second optical emission elements carried by the second support member; and   one or more second optical detection elements carried by the second support member, wherein the one or more second optical emission elements and the one or more second optical detection elements are arranged relative to each other to detect optical signals from the one or more optical monitoring sites.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the first optical monitoring assembly and the second optical monitoring assembly are implanted at different brain locations of the patient. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the first optical monitoring assembly is implanted proximate to a first brain location of the patient and the second optical monitoring assembly is implanted proximate to a second brain location of the patient, and wherein the first optical monitoring assembly is positioned to detect a hemodynamic characteristic associated with neural activity in the first brain location, and the second optical monitoring assembly is positioned to detect a hemodynamic characteristic associated with neural activity in the second brain location. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an implantable support member, and wherein at least a portion of both the signal delivery device and the optical monitoring assembly are carried by the support member. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a chemical delivery device positioned to release or apply one or more chemical substances to one or more chemical delivery sites in the patient. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the chemical delivery device includes an implantable chemical delivery device 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a communication device; and   a programming device external to the patient and coupled to the controller via the communication device, the programming device having instructions to perform at least one of (a) directing the stimulation signals and optical monitoring instructions and their issuance to the controller, (b) receiving, processing, and analyzing information received from the controller, (c) visually indicating signal delivery and stimulation information, and (d) visually indicating detected, estimated, or measured optical properties and physiologic or physiologic correlate properties.   
     
     
         20 . A neural stimulation and optical monitoring system, the system comprising:
 an implantable electrode positioned to transmit signals to a target neural population of a patient;   an optical monitoring assembly positioned to apply optical signals to and detect optical signals scattered within or reflected by tissue of the patient at one or more optical monitoring sites proximate to a skull of the patient; and   an implantable controller operatively coupled to the electrode and the optical monitoring assembly, the controller being programmed with instructions to manage (a) the application of signals to the target neural population, and (b) the detection and processing of optical signals at the one or more optical monitoring sites.   
     
     
         21 - 54 . (canceled)