Patent ID: 7684867
Filing Date: 2010-03-23
Classification: A61M,A61N

Abstract:
1. A method of treating a patient with conductive aphasia caused by an abnormally functioning arcuate fasciculus that hinders communication between a Broca's area and a Wernicke's area of the patient's brain, comprising: providing at least one System Control Unit (SCU) controllably connected to one or more electrodes and/or infusion outlets; implanting the one or more electrodes and/or infusion outlets in or adjacent to the Wernicke's area; measuring an attempted speech production of the patient and transmitting a corresponding signal to the SCU; and activating the SCU in response to the transmitted signal to control delivery of a stimulus from the one or more electrodes and/or infusion outlets to the Wernicke's area to circumvent the communication role of the arcuate fasciculus, thereby treating or reducing an occurrence or severity of a symptom of the conductive aphasia.