Device and Method for Treatment of Brain and/or Spinal Cord Diseases by Means of Neurofeedback

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention provides a medical device and method for treating diseases of the brain and/or spinal cord, particularly those associated with abnormal synchronous neuronal activity (such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, dystonia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc.). The system consists of a stimulation unit to actively disrupt pathologically synchronized neurons, a measurement unit to detect and quantify the abnormal activity, and a neurofeedback unit that delivers sensory feedback (visual, auditory, tactile, vibration, heat/cool) to the patient, indicating the degree of their abnormal brain activity. The device can be configured to be partially or fully non-invasive and enables patients to use real-time feedback to learn to control their own brain activity, while therapeutic stimulation is only used as needed.

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

• Treatment of neurological conditions featuring abnormal neuronal synchronization, such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, epilepsy, Tourette syndrome, movement disorders, tinnitus, and spasticity.
• Managing psychiatric disorders like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), personality disorders, addiction, and anxiety-related disorders.
• Providing non-pharmacological therapy for chronic pain syndromes, migraines, cluster headaches, fibromyalgia, and neuralgia.
• Rehabilitation after stroke (enhancing functional recovery) or brain/spinal cord injury by promoting desynchronization of pathological neural circuits.
• Use in sleep disorders, burnout syndrome, chronic stress regulation, and neurorehabilitation training.
• Personalized neurofeedback training for patients wanting to take an active role in therapy with optional on-demand stimulation backup.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Reduces the need for continuous invasive brain stimulation, minimizing side effects and improving patient safety and comfort.
• Empowers patients with real-time neurofeedback, increasing self-efficacy and therapy engagement, potentially improving outcomes.
• Flexible operation (invasive or non-invasive, active or standby modes) adapts to patient progress and clinical needs.
• Therapeutic stimulation is only applied as necessary, avoiding overtreatment and cumulative risks.
• Can target a wide range of neurological and psychiatric diseases involving abnormal neural synchrony.
• Potential for personalized therapy, dynamic adaptation, and greater patient compliance due to reduced discomfort and more autonomy.
• Improved precision in controlling symptoms with sensor-based feedback and closed-loop regulation.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) comprising a stimulating unit (11) for generating first stimuli (21) that suppress an abnormal synchronous activity of neurons in the brain and/or the spinal cord of a patient when administered to said patient, a measuring unit (15) for receiving measured signals (25) that reflect the abnormal synchronous activity of the neurons, and a neurofeedback unit (12) for generating second stimuli (22) that show the degree of the abnormal synchronous activity of the neurons to the patient.