Method and means to adjust the positioning of stimulating neural and muscular electrode

Abstract

An electric stimulator for brain, heart, skin and internal organs in animals and plants where the electrodes are distributed on a supporting structure. The supporting structure may be adapted for brain, heart, skin or other internal organs, as for DBS, heart pacemaker, TENS, etc. The invention discloses also a plurality of electrodes at the surface of the supporting structure, from which electrically stimulating currents can be injected into the organism. Moreover, turning off an electrode while turning on a neighboring electrode, has the effect of moving the stimulation within the body of the organism from one point to a neighboring point, with the same effect but with less spent energy than physically moving the whole electrode support. We call this electrode shifting. Rotational and translational electrode shifting are possible.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of adjusting the positioning of an electrical stimulating device configured to be implanted in an animal comprising:
 providing a first supporting structure (SUPP 1 ) configured to be attached to the animal;   providing an electrode supporting structure with a proximal extremity, a distal extremity, a surface and an inner lumen;   providing a plurality of electrodes at the surface of the distal extremity of the electrode supporting structure;   providing a connecting structure attached to the SUPP 1  which is configured to support the electrode supporting structure;
 the connecting structure comprises a translation structure for engaging and supporting the electrode support structure, and for providing motion to the electrode supporting structure, in such a way that the plurality of electrodes at the surface of the electrode supporting structure adopt new positions with respect to the intended target tissue of the animal; 
 the translation structure comprises a central aperture configured to accept insertion of the electrode support structure, wherein the aperture includes tapped screw threads for engaging corresponding tapped screw threads located on the surface of the proximal extremity of the electrode support structure, and facilitating advancement of the electrode support structure to the target tissue due to the motion provided by the connecting structure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the motion provided by the connecting structure attached to the SUPP 1  provides rotating motion to the electrode supporting structure in such a way that the plurality of electrodes at the surface of the electrode supporting structure adopt new positions with respect to the intended target tissue of the animal which are displaced by rotations with respect to the initial position. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the motion provided by the connecting structure attached to the SUPP 1  provides a linear translating motion to the electrode supporting structure in such a way that the plurality of electrodes at the surface of the electrode supporting structure adopt new positions with respect to the intended target tissue of the animal which are displaced by linear translations with respect to the initial position. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the connecting structure comprises an electric motor for providing the motion of the electrode supporting structure. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the rotating motion is configured to rotate the electrodes by a maximum angle larger than an angle between two electrodes. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the translating motion is configured to move the electrodes by a maximum distance larger than a distance between the electrodes along the direction of motion. 
     
     
         7 . An electrical stimulation apparatus, comprising; a first supporting structure SUPP 1  configured to provide fixed attachment to an animal; an electrode supporting structure with a proximal extremity, a distal extremity, an inner lumen and a surface;
 a plurality of electrodes located at the surface of the distal extremity of the electrode supporting structure; and 
 means for moving the electrode supporting structure with respect to the SUPP 1  when attached to the animal,
 the means for moving the electrode supporting structure comprises translation means for engaging and supporting the electrode support structure, and for providing motion to the electrode supporting structure, in such a way that the plurality of electrodes at the surface of the distal extremity of the electrode supporting structure adopt new positions with respect to the intended target tissue of the animal; 
 the translation means comprising a central aperture configured to accept insertion of the electrode support structure, wherein the aperture includes tapped screw threads for engaging corresponding tapped screw threads located on the surface of the proximal extremity of the electrode support structure, and facilitating advancement of the electrode support structure to the target tissue due to the motion provided by the connecting structure. 
 
 
     
     
         8 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of  claim 7  where the means for moving the electrode supporting structure with respect to the SUPP 1  is configured for rotating the electrode supporting structure,
 whereby the plurality of electrodes at the surface of the distal extremity of the electrode supporting structure assume 
 different positions that differ from the original position by rotation of the electrode supporting structure with respect to the intended target tissue of the animal. 
 
     
     
         9 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of  claim 7  where the means for moving the electrode supporting structure with respect to the SUPP 1  is configured for linearly translating the electrode supporting structure,
 whereby the plurality of electrodes at the surface of the distal extremity of the electrode supporting structure assume different positions that differ from the original position by linear translation with respect to the intended target tissue of the animal. 
 
     
     
         10 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of  claim 7  where the means for moving the electrode supporting structure with respect to the SUPP 1  is an electric motor. 
     
     
         11 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of  claim 8  where the means for rotating the electrode supporting structure with respect to the SUPP 1  is configured to cause a maximum rotation larger than an angular separation between the electrodes along the direction of rotation. 
     
     
         12 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of  claim 9  where the means for translating the electrode supporting structure with respect to the SUPP 1  is configured to cause a maximum translation larger than a distance between the electrodes on the surface of the electrode supporting structure. 
     
     
         13 . An electronics control unit for aiding in the positioning of an electrode support structure, in accordance with the method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronics control unit provides an electrical control signal to an electric motor configured to provide the motion that moves the electrode support structure with respect to first supporting structure (SUPP 1 ). 
     
     
         14 . The electronics control unit of  claim 13 , is configured to control the electric motor to provide rotational motion to the electrode supporting structure, wherein electrodes located at a distal extremity of a surface of the electrode supporting structure are rotated by a specified angle. 
     
     
         15 . The electronics control unit of  claim 13 , is configured to control the electric motor to provide linear translational motion to the electrode supporting structure, wherein electrodes located at a distal extremity of a surface of the electrode supporting structure are linearly translated by a specified distance.