Device and Method for Effective Invasive Two-Stage Neurostimulation

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This invention is a device and method for effective two-stage invasive neurostimulation, which involves implanting a stimulation unit in a patient's body. The device uses multiple stimulation elements to deliver precisely controlled electrical or optical stimuli to neurons in the brain or spinal cord. Uniquely, it operates in two sequential stages: first, using a lower-intensity stimulation with rapidly changing stimulus sequences, and then switching to higher-intensity stimulation with slowly varying sequences. This approach aims to robustly desynchronize abnormally synchronized or oscillatory neural activity found in various neurological and psychiatric disorders, while reducing side effects often seen in traditional neurostimulation therapies.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Treatment of Parkinson's disease and associated tremors.
• Epilepsy therapy, especially when resistant to medication.
• Management of neurological or psychiatric disorders like dystonia, depression, OCD, Tourette's syndrome, and autism.
• Alleviation of chronic pain syndromes via spinal cord or brain stimulation.
• Mitigation of movement disorders, spasticity, or functional deficits after stroke.
• Treatment of migraines, cluster headaches, neuropathic pain, tinnitus, or sleep disorders.
• Potential for use in sensor-based closed-loop neurostimulation systems for adaptive therapies.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables long-lasting therapeutic effects by specifically desynchronizing abnormally synchronized neuronal populations.
• Reduces unwanted side effects by starting with low-intensity stimulation before transitioning to higher intensities.
• Potential to lower required stimulation intensities and durations, reducing risks to patients.
• Enhances robustness of therapy even if electrode placement is sub-optimal, possibly reducing need for re-implantation.
• Adaptable to both electrical and optical stimulation modalities.
• Allows for both open-loop and closed-loop operation, including real-time adaptation using sensor feedback.
• May improve patient comfort by gradually adjusting stimulation levels, minimizing abrupt changes.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a device for stimulating neurons, comprising a stimulation unit, which can be implanted in the body of a patient and which has a plurality of stimulation elements for stimulating neurons in the brain and/or spinal cord of the patient with stimuli, and a control unit, which operates the stimulation unit during a first time interval and during a second time interval following the first time interval in different stimulation modes. The control unit controls the stimulation unit during at least 75% of the duration of the first time interval in a first stimulation mode such that the stimulation element repeatedly generate sequences of stimuli and the order in which the stimulation elements generate the stimuli within a sequence is constant for not more than 5 successively generated sequences and is then varied. The control unit controls the stimulation unit during at least 75% of the duration of the second time interval in a second stimulation mode such that the stimulation elements repeatedly generate sequences of stimuli and the order in which the stimulation elements generate the stimuli within a sequence is constant for at least 25 successively generated sequences and is then varied. The intensity of stimuli in the first stimulation mode is lower than or equal to a predetermined stimulus intensity and the intensity of stimuli in the second stimulation mode is at least 1.3 times the predetermined stimulus intensity.