University of Iowa Research Foundation

University of Virginia Patent Foundation

Other

University of Washington

Stereotaxis, Inc.

Karl Leibinger Medizintechnik Gmbh & Co Kg

Direct Spinal Therapeutics Inc.

Matthew A Howard

George T Gillies

Rogers C Ritter

Carol A Bauer

M Sean Grady

Steven E Scott

Randall S Nelson

Timothy Brennan

Marcel Utz

Marc Mayberg

Chandan G Reddy

Timothy M McCulloch

Brian Dalm

Robert Shurig

Hiroyuki Oya

Steve Viljoen

Timothy A McCulloch

Oliver Elias Flouty

Walter M Blume

Bevil J Hogg

Peter R Werp

David J Anderson

Winston Kong Chan

Axel Waizenegger

Nicole M Grosland

C Allan Guymon

Daniel J O'Connell

Chris Coretsopoulos

Matthew B Dobbs

Tereasa M Simonson

H Richard Winn

Roman Mirsky

Bruce Abkes

Aaron Boes

Michael J Wardenburg

Yasunori Nagahama

Kirsten E Stoner

Mario Zanaty

Nicholas Trapp

Kingsley Adobe-Iyamah

Marshall T Holland

Logan Helland

Mar Mayburg

Saul Wilson

Royce Woodroffe

Brian James Green

Patrick Hitchon

Charles Romans

Daryl R Kipke

Charles Garrell

Christopher Loftus

Daniel Noh

Charles Garell

William E LaVelle

A caliper type device is provided for identifying the cranial midline on a patient. The device includes a pair of arms have first ends for receipt in a patients ears, and opposite, pivotally connected second ends which allow the arms to open and close to fit to different sized heads of various patients. A housing at the second end of the arms holds a laser pointer or other tool for identifying the cranial midline after the device is positioned on the patients head.

Cranial midline marking device and method of using

The spinal cord stimulation device of this invention is configured for implantation into a patient so as to traverse the dura mater that surrounds the spinal cord. Placing the device in this location provides direct contact between the electrode and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), in close proximity to the spinal cord. The device has an intradural portion and an extradural portion that compresses and seals the dural membrane between them, securing the device in position and preventing leakage of CSF. The position of the device may be stabilized in relation to the spinal cord by way of a laminoplasty plate, bridging between the device and a vertebra. The device is electronically powered by an implanted pulse generator that produces a spectrum of signals to interrupt or otherwise attenuate transmission of pain mediating neural signals through the spinal cord. Once the device is implanted into a patient, it provides improved stimulation efficiency, reduced power requirements, and potentially an improved clinical outcome, compared with previously available technology.

Transdural electrode device for stimulation of the spinal cord

This invention provides an device for electrical stimulation of the spinal cord. The device has an electrode assembly with a sufficiently thin profile to be implanted between the pial surface of the spinal cord and the dura mater, and secured to the dura. Electrodes on the electrode assembly are directed towards the surface of the spinal cord, and connected through the dura to a signal generator located outside the dura. Following implantation, the subject is treated by transmitting electrical signals from the signal generator through the leads to the electrodes, stimulating the subject's spinal cord.

Medical device that applies electrical stimulation to the spinal cord from inside the dura for treating back pain and other conditions

An adjustable cranioplasty plate assembly is provided for use following a craniectomy. The assembly includes a ring which is attached to the skull around the skull opening and a plate adjustably mounted to the ring. The plate is moveable between a raised position spaced above the ring and a lower position substantially flush with the ring. The plurality of extendable and retractable struts extends between the ring and the plate to provide the plate adjustability. The plurality of stay cables extending between the ring and the plate provide lateral stability in the raised position. The assembly replaces the native bone and eliminates the need for subsequent cranioplasty surgery. In one embodiment, the plate includes a rigid central portion, three rigid mounting tabs, and a plurality of malleable tapered perimeter petals which provide a smooth interface between the plate and the skull of the patient.

Cranioplasty plate assembly with pivotal struts

This invention provides a device for implantation directly into the spinal cord for the purpose of treating back pain. Electrodes on a backing that conforms directly to the spinal cord are installed as a source of electrical stimulation and pain relief. The floating electrodes can be flexibly mounted to the substrate such that when the electrode array is implanted into the subject, individual electrodes float or move resiliently relative to the substrate to an extent sufficient to accommodate pulsations of the surface of the spinal cord within the dura.

High frequency stimulation of the spinal cord from inside the dura

A cranial plate is provided for use after a craniectomy. The plate is mounted to the skull and protects the brain exposed in the skull opening. A plate is initially spaced above the skull with gaskets or spacers so as to preclude pressure on the brain. The gaskets or spacers are resorptive, or otherwise dissolve or shrink over time, until the plate settles upon the skull. An elastic web extending over the plate provides a constant force to pull the plate towards the skull as the spacers shrink. The plate is secured to the skull using screws. The plate may include alignment posts residing adjacent the skull opening to maintain proper positioning of the plate as the spacers shrink. The plate eliminates the need for a second cranioplasty surgical procedure.

Cranioplasty plate

Floating electrodes that engage and accommodate movement of the spinal cord

This invention provides a new technology for management of back pain by stimulating the spinal cord in a manner that renders it refractory to transmission of deleterious or undesirable sensory input. The electrical stimulus comprises high frequency pulses in a regular or complex pattern or that are stochastically produced under microprocessor control. The stimulus is applied directly to the surface of the spinal cord from within the spinal canal, which provides important benefits over previous technology. The stimulus alleviates symptoms and signs of back pain, while minimizing the risk of side effects such as paresthesia, and potentially minimizing the effects on motor neuron transmission and proprioception.

Method for causing stochastic depolarization in the spinal cord to inhibit transmission of synchronous action potentials

This invention provides a device for implantation directly into the spinal cord for the purpose of treating back pain. Electrodes on a backing that conforms directly to the spinal cord are installed as a source of electrical stimulation and pain relief. The electrode array is maintained on the spinal cord by way of a spring or support structure that is anchored to an anatomical structure outside the spinal cord but near the site of implantation. Suitable anchoring structures include the vertebrae and the dura. Secured in this fashion, the support structure maintains a gentle pressure of the electrode array against the spinal cord so as to stay in electrical contact but minimize injury or inflammation. The device may accommodate and buffer movement of the spinal cord both laterally and in a caudal-rostral fashion so that the electrode array remains in place.

System that secures an electrode array to the spinal cord for treating back pain

A method for treating intractable pain via electrical stimulation of the spinal cord. Remote, non-contact stimulation of a selected region of spinal cord is achieved by placement of a transceiver patch directly on the surface of that region of spinal cord, with said patch optionally being inductively coupled to a transmitter patch of similar size on either the outer or inner wall of the dura surrounding that region of the spinal cord. By inductively exchanging electrical power and signals between said transmitter and transceiver patches, and by carrying out the necessary electronic and stimulus signal distribution functions on the transceiver patch, the targeted dorsal column axons can be stimulated without the unintended stray stimulation of nearby dorsal rootlets. Novel configurations of a pliable surface-sheath and clamp or dentate ligament attachment features which realize undamaging attachment of the patch to the spinal cord are described.

Implanting an electrode array against the spinal cord inside the dura for stimulating the spinal cord and treating pain

Managing back pain by applying a high frequency electrical stimulus directly to the spinal cord

Electrode array device configured for placement inside the dura for direct spinal cord stimulation

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.

Stereotactic hypothalamic obesity probe

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. Electroplating is utilized to form contacts less than approximately 100 &mgr;m in diameter, and embossing is utilized to form contacts greater than approximately 100 &mgr;m in diameter.

Electrode array having a thin, flexible substrate

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Iowa City, IA, United States of America

Matthew A Howard