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Wireless Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) to reduce tremors in Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Disease

Deep brain stimulation is used to control unwanted tremors in patients with Essential Tremor disorder or Parkinson’s disease.  Currently, the stimulus is continuous and can only be turned on or off.  Over 100,000 people in the U.S. have neuronal implants to control tremors currently.  

Description/Details

The present invention consists of a closed-loop system comprising a fully-implanted lead which is controlled wirelessly through a pocket-held neuron-simulator, The implanted lead transmits real-time measured data to the neuron-simulator. It also measures the electrical brain activity for diagnostic purposes and delivers the correcting electrical stimulus.  The power supply for the lead is implanted and recharged by induction.  An external pocket-borne computer (the equivalent of today’s neurostimulator) wirelessly receives the measured data from the lead, analyzes the information, and transmits control data, i.e., time, intensity and duration of the stimulus, back to the lead.  The UIC invention provides a stimulus as needed to control the tremors; the stimulus does not need to be continuous.

Applications

  • Deep brain stimulator for motion disorder control

Benefits

  • The DBS would not require under-skin extensions or implanted neuron-simulators
  • All communications to and from the implanted lead are via wireless links
  • Continuous monitoring of the brain activity through sensors in the lead
  • Early diagnosis of tremors before patients experience them
  • Personalized, real-time, and adaptive, stimulation

Inventor Name

Daniel Graupe, Daniel Tuninetti

Reference #

DA101
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