Systems, methods and devices for a skull/brain interface

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016001098-A1
Application number	US-201514853858-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 14, 2015
Priority date	Oct 30, 2007
Publication date	Jan 7, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems, methods and devices are disclosed for directing and focusing signals to the brain for neuromodulation and for directing and focusing signals or other energy from the brain for measurement, heat transfer and imaging. An aperture in the skull and/or a channel device implantable in the skull can be used to facilitate direction and focusing. Treatment and diagnosis of multiple neurological conditions may be facilitated with the disclosed systems, methods and devices.

First claim

1 . A method of facilitating delivery of ultrasound energy to a brain of a patient, the method comprising:
facilitating transmission of ultrasound generated by a source external to the brain, the transmission being through at least one conduit beneath a scalp of the patient, the at least one conduit having a proximal end oriented towards an outer layer of a skull of the patient and the source, and a distal end oriented towards an intracranial space.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one conduit is formed at least in part from a material that is substantially conductive to ultrasonic waves.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the material comprises an acrylic material.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one conduit is characterized by a substantially constant radius and a substantially constant length.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the at least one conduit comprises a lip extending beyond the substantially constant radius.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the source is external the skull.

7 . A method of facilitating heat transfer from a brain of a patient, the method comprising:
facilitating transmission of heat generated by a target area of the brain through a channel toward a device external the brain, the channel having a proximal end oriented towards an outer layer of a skull of the patient and a distal end oriented towards an intracranial space, wherein the channel is associated with a mechanism for transferring heat.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the mechanism for transferring heat comprises a material having a high thermal conductivity.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the channel is at least partially formed from the material having a high thermal conductivity.

10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the channel comprises an internal cavity and at least one rod within the internal cavity, the at least one rod formed of the material having a high thermal conductivity.

11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the channel comprises a coating at least partially over the material having a high thermal conductivity.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the coating comprises a biocompatible material with a thermal conductivity that is lower than the material having a high thermal conductivity.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the biocompatible material comprises titanium.

14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the material having a high thermal conductivity has a thermal conductivity in a range of 300 to 500 watts per meter-Kelvin.

15 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the material having a high thermal conductivity comprise at least one of copper and silver.

16 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the channel comprises an internal cavity, and the mechanism for transferring heat comprises a fluid at least partially filling the internal cavity, the fluid pressurized so as to condense at a first temperature and vaporize at a second temperature higher that the first temperature.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the first temperature is approximately 32 degrees C.

18 . The method of claim 16 wherein the internal cavity comprises at least one hollow tube capped at each of a proximal end and a distal end, the at least one hollow tube containing the fluid.

19 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the channel comprises at least one lumen at least partially filled with a substance configured to facilitate transmission of ionic current.

20 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the device external the brain is configured to draw heat away from the target area.

Assignees

• Neuropace Inc

Inventors

• Wingeier Brett
• Pless Benjamin

Classifications

• A61N7/022 Primary

  intracavitary · CPC title

• A61F7/0085

  Devices for generating hot or cold treatment fluids · CPC title

• A61F7/12

  Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities · CPC title

• A61N2007/0026

  Stimulation of nerve tissue · CPC title

• A61B18/02

  by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques · CPC title