Abstract:
Heat-removal method and apparatus for treatment of movement disorder episodes; more specifically, a device and method for intracranially suppressing movement disorder episodes upon the detection of physiological symptoms. The device includes a temperature-contact implanted at a targeted portion in the brain which is determined to be associated with such episodes and connection to an implanted heat-transfer operator, typically a Peltier cooler or a thermal-electric cooler. Heat transfer from the temperature-contact to the heat-transfer operator cools the targeted portion and suppresses the movement disorder episode. Such heat transfer is performed upon the sensing of symptoms which normally preface episodes. The symptoms can be sensed intracranially by sensing-contacts, on the skin by a sensor or by a person or animal. Alternatively, heat removal (cooling) can be performed without sensing symptoms to prevent episodes when the patient is particularly sensitive to, or in danger from, episodes.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The invention relates generally to treatment of movement disorders and, more particularly, to intracranial treatment utilizing identification of an incipient movement disorder.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Movement disorders such as epilepsy and Parkinson&#39;s disease have been estimated to affect some 1-2% of the developed world&#39;s population and up to 10% of people in underdeveloped countries. Currently, approximately 75% of those who suffer from movement disorders are responsive in some degree to drugs. However, undesirable side effects often prevent such treatment.  
           [0003]    In addition, drug treatment often imposes a continual effect on brain cells and other tissues commonly resulting in the perpetual presence of side effects, while the movement disorder episodes, e.g., epileptic seizures, sought to be prevented occur much less frequently. Furthermore, patients often develop such high tolerances for the drugs administered that they are no longer effective at safe dosages. Therefore, there has been a need for movement disorder suppression which avoids the use of drugs.  
           [0004]    Electrical stimulation has been utilized to treat some movement disorders. In the treatment of epilepsy, studies have been performed in which awake patients undergoing temporal lobe surgery underwent cortical stimulation. Such stimulation of the visual and hearing areas of the brain reproducibly caused the patients to experience visual and auditory phenomena. This discovery was made possible by the identification that certain brain subregions served specific functions, such as sight, hearing, touch and movement of the extremities and proved that direct electrical stimulation of the brain regions could cause partial reproduction or suppression of the functions.  
           [0005]    As suggested by these results, it is known that certain types of treatment of specific portions of the brain are able to suppress certain unwanted behavior which results from movement disorders. This behavior may include seizures such as those suffered by epileptics. However, the studies faced a major problem in that there was an inability to precisely electrically stimulate very small volumes of the brain.  
           [0006]    The advent of needle-shaped penetrating depth electrodes helped to overcome this obstacle faced by electrical stimulation. Depth electrodes can be placed within the brain tissue itself, enabling optimal surface contact with elements of the brain that are targeted for stimulation. This allowed for safe, chronic electrical stimulation of very small discrete volumes of brain.  
           [0007]    There have been attempts to provide neurocybernetic prostheses for alleviating epilepsy and related disorders. U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,254 to Zabara discloses a prosthesis which comprises a miniature electronic integrated circuit with an output which augments appropriate brain neural discharge to control convulsions or seizures. The Zabara device uses neural spectral discrimination by tuning the electrical current of the prosthesis to the electrochemical properties of a specific group of inhibitory nerves that affect the reticular system of the brain. Certain electrical parameters of the prosthesis must be selected based on the electrochemical properties of the nerves desired to be activated. The patent teaches that the optimal site for the application of the prosthesis is on the vagus nerve.  
           [0008]    While the electrical stimulation of brain tissue has been somewhat effective in the treatment of migraines, epilepsy and other neurological problems, patients often experience diminishing returns with such treatment. Furthermore, because each patient reacts differently to electrical stimulation, substantial time must be spent to determine the specific amplitude, frequency, pulse width, stimulation duration, etc. which may result in effective treatment. In addition, such parameters often require continual adjustment in order to remain effective.  
           [0009]    In treatment, electrical stimulation has been used with the recording and analysis of electrical changes in brain activity to predict the occurrence of epileptic seizures. The time of onset of such seizures is often predictable by neural discharge monitoring, even when the exact causal nature of precipitating dysfunction is not understood. U.S. Pat. No. 5,995,868 to Dorfmeister discloses the use of electrodes to obtain signals representative of current brain activity and a signal processor for continuous monitoring and analysis of these electrical signals in order to identify important changes or the appearance of precursors predictive of an impending change. Dorfmeister mainly discusses the quick identification of the onset of a seizure; cooling a portion of the brain in response to such identification is mentioned, but he does not discuss how such cooling could be performed.  
           [0010]    At the time of Dorfmeister, the treatment of various disorders of and injuries to the brain utilizing the transfer of heat away from (cooling) the brain was well known in the medical arts and was often performed using the external application of cold fluids, housed chemicals involved in endothermic reactions or other refrigerants. Other methods of cooling include the external cooling of blood which is recirculated through the body.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,750,493 and 4,920,963 to Brader are directed to a method for cooling the extracranial area during emergency care of cardiac arrest or extreme shock in order to induce vasoconstriction and intracranial hypothermia. These inventions are implemented by a topical cold pack or watertight shroud which cannot specifically cool a targeted portion in the brain. U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,854 to Safar et al. is directed to a cardiopulmonary bypass apparatus which is able to cool the blood. This device cannot specifically cool a target portion in the brain either.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,188,930 B1 to Carson is directed to a method for heating the hypothalamus which utilizes a device for cooling the surrounding body tissues. This device is not implanted, but is used temporarily during or preceding surgery. The patent discloses cooling through the circulation of a liquid or gas coolant through a catheter. Chronic cooling of a targeted portion in the brain is not disclosed.  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,132 to Fox is directed to a method of inducing hypothermia in a mammal. This invention applies heat to the hypothalamus in order to effect a compensatory cooling response, thereby lowering body temperature. The patent discloses the direct application of heat to the hypothalamus for a temporary cooling effect. The patent does not disclose chronic treatment using an implanted device, nor the cooling of a specific portion.  
           [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,086 to Terry employs a neurostimulator to selectively apply electrical therapy to treat migraines. The neurostimulator delivers pulses of electricity of a specific pulse width and amplitude to the patient&#39;s vagus nerve in order to stimulate nerve fibers and either synchronize or desynchronize the EEG and control migraines.  
           [0015]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,843,093 and 6,129,685 to Howard relate to the selective treatment of neurons within the brain with particular emphasis on the treatment of Parkinson&#39;s through pallidotomy and on the regulation of a patient&#39;s appetite through electrical discharges to the hypothalamus. Both of these patents disclose the inactivation of neurons through the use of a cryogenic device, though they do not teach what the cryogenic device could be or how it might be safely disposed within the brain.  
           [0016]    Despite the Dorfmeister and Howard disclosures, it has not yet been possible, upon recognition of an incipient movement disorder, to effectively and immediately cool a localized area in the brain with an implanted device episode which can avoid undue risk or injury to the brain. An implanted device for thermal treatment of movement disorders episodes which addresses the problems of known treatments would be an important advance in the art.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0017]    It is an object of the invention to provide an implanted device for thermal treatment of movement disorders overcoming some of the problems and shortcomings of prior art devices for suppressing movement disorders.  
           [0018]    Another object of the invention is to provide a method of suppressing movement disorder episodes in people immediately upon detection of an incipient episode.  
           [0019]    Another object of the invention is to provide a method of suppressing movement disorder episodes through the implantation of a device which, after implantation, requires no further surgery for an extended period of time.  
           [0020]    Another object of the invention is to provide a method of suppressing movement disorder episodes through the localized transfer of heat away from a targeted portion of the brain.  
           [0021]    Another object of the invention is to provide a method of suppressing movement disorder episodes without the use of electrical stimulation of brain tissue.  
           [0022]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of suppressing movement disorder episodes without the use of drugs.  
           [0023]    Another object of the invention is to provide a method of suppressing movement disorder episodes which safely transfers heat from selected brain tissue without risk of damage to other brain tissue.  
           [0024]    Another object of the invention is to provide a method of suppressing movement disorder episodes which safely transfer heat from selected brain tissue without affecting surrounding brain tissue.  
           [0025]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of suppressing movement disorder episodes which transfers heat from a selected volume of the brain in an energy efficient manner.  
           [0026]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of suppressing movement disorder episodes after the detection of electrical, electrochemical, chemical, optical or blood flow changes in the brain.  
           [0027]    How these and other objects are accomplished will become apparent from the following descriptions and drawings herein.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0028]    The implanted thermal transfer device for treatment of movement disorder episodes, and method of use thereof, are intended to prevent or suppress movement disorder episodes, such as epileptic seizures, through the transfer of heat away from a targeted portion in the brain that has been previously identified as being associated with movement disorder episodes in the patient. The invention solves the problems and overcomes the limitations of the prior art, while providing pioneering advances in the state of the art.  
           [0029]    The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of this invention provides for the rapid transfer of heat away from (cooling of) a selected portion, or volume, in a patient&#39;s brain upon detection of a physiological symptom of an incipient movement disorder episode. This targeted portion of the brain may be a very small, point-like volume. Such physiological symptoms may be particular to the patient, and may evolve during the patient&#39;s lifetime. The transfer of heat automatically ceases upon the attainment of sufficient cooling at the targeted portion. Such sufficient cooling may be determined by the temperature at the targeted portion, the duration of the heat transfer which may be programmed in a controller, the subsidence of physiological symptoms or the presence of physiological evidence that the episode has been suppressed.  
           [0030]    The preferred device comprises at least one temperature-contact positioned at a targeted portion in the brain. The temperature-contact is thermally coupled to the cold junction of a heat-transfer operator such that heat is compelled to flow from the temperature-contact into the cold junction to affect cooling at the targeted portion. The temperature-contact can be positioned adjacent to the targeted portion, or simply near the targeted portion, so that heat transfer by the temperature-contact effectively cools the targeted portion.  
           [0031]    The preferred heat-transfer operator is a Peltier cooler or a thermal-electric cooler. Such heat-transfer operators pass electricity through junctions between dissimilar metals. The atoms of the dissimilar metals have a difference in energy levels which results in a step between energy levels at each of the metals&#39; junctions. As electricity is passed through the metals, the electrons of the metal with the lower energy level pass the first step as they flow to the metal with the higher energy level. In order to pass this step and continue the circuit, the electrons must absorb heat energy which causes the metal at the first junction to cool. At the opposite junction, where electrons travel from a high energy level to a low energy level they give off energy which results in an increase in temperature at that junction.  
           [0032]    In the context of this application, Peltier cooler refers to a system wherein pairs of dissimilar materials are joined at two junctions which are separated by a substantial length. For instance, for each pair the cold junction could be positioned in the brain and the hot junction could be positioned in the abdomen. The dissimilar materials may extend to each junction forming a circuit or loop. The dissimilar materials may also be separately connected to other conductors such that the circuit or loop is comprised of a cold junction of dissimilar first and second materials, a hot junction of dissimilar first and second materials, a conductor connecting the ends of the first material and a conductor connecting the ends of the second material.  
           [0033]    Thermal-electric cooler refers to a system wherein the cold and hot junctions are not separated by a substantial length. For instance, the cold junction of the thermal-electric cooler may be positioned on the surface of the brain and the hot junction could be positioned on a surface in substantial conformity with the external surface of the skull. While in principle a single piece of semiconducting material can be used in a thermal-electric cooler, connection of multiple semiconducting materials in series is preferred to avoid the high current requirement of the single element.  
           [0034]    As stated above, the Peltier cooler includes at least one circuit or loop of dissimilar materials, preferably semiconducting materials, which are connected at two junctions. The Peltier cooler is preferably implanted in the patient so that its cold junction is adjacent to the temperature-contact and its hot junction is located away from the brain, preferably in the torso. The hot junction is most preferably located adjacent to, and thermally coupled to, a titanium housing which acts to dissipate heat. The Peltier cooler circuit or loop which extends between the two junctions is electrically insulated and preferably implanted such that it travels from the cold junction at the temperature-contact, out of the skull, down the neck and into the torso.  
           [0035]    In the preferred embodiment utilizing the Peltier cooler, the temperature-contact is preferably located on the distal end of a depth-electrode type probe which is implanted in the patient&#39;s brain. The cold junction of the Peltier cooler is connected to the temperature-contact in the brain. The Peltier circuit or loop extends out of the skull through the proximate end of the probe, down the neck and into the abdomen where the hot junction can transfer heat to another device, such as a titanium housing or other metal enclosure, or otherwise allow heat to safely dissipate into the body.  
           [0036]    For the Peltier cooler, the preferred temperature-contact is a gold or platinum foil or collar which preferably encircles a portion of the distal end of the probe. The temperature-contact must be an extremely thermally conductive material which is harmless to the surrounding brain tissue.  
           [0037]    In the alternative embodiment using a thermal-electric cooler, the temperature-contact is a gold or platinum foil or collar which has a surface which corresponds to the surface of the brain. The temperature-contact is preferably implanted in the patient adjacent to the skull.  
           [0038]    The temperature-contact is connected, or thermally coupled, to the cold junction of the thermal-electric cooler. The temperature-contact is preferably located on the face of the cold-junction. A portion of the skull can be removed so that the temperature-contact can be placed adjacent to the brain and the skull with the thermal-electric cooler directly adjacent to the skull. The thermal-electric cooler can be positioned in the void created when a portion of the skull was removed such that an observer of the patient could not easily perceive the implanted device.  
           [0039]    Whether utilizing a Peltier cooler or a thermal-electric cooler as a heat-transfer operator, the heat-transfer operator is electrically connected to an implanted power source which supplies a current through the heat-transfer operator to affect heat transfer. The power source operates efficiently by powering off the heat-transfer operator supply when heat transfer is not needed. When heat transfer is desired, the power source can be activated to supply a DC current to the heat-transfer operator which will, in turn, activate heat transfer from the targeted portion through the temperature-contact to the cold junction of the heat-transfer operator.  
           [0040]    It is contemplated that the power source may be switched on or activated automatically or remotely by a person. The power source preferably provides power from an implanted battery which holds sufficient power so that once implanted, further operations to recharge the battery, or install a new battery, are not needed for an extended period of time, perhaps for as long as the life of the patient.  
           [0041]    The power source is preferably implanted in the patient away from the brain, most preferably in the patient&#39;s torso. The power source can located within a titanium housing or other metal enclosure which may provide electrical grounding.  
           [0042]    To allow for automatic activation of the heat-transfer operator, sensing-contacts are utilized to detect a physiological symptom of an incipient movement disorder episode. The sensing-contacts are preferably positioned in the brain at a location which has been determined to be a site at which symptoms of impending movement disorder episodes may be detected and measured. The physiological symptoms detected by the sensing-contact can be electrical, electrochemical, chemical, optical or blood flow changes within the brain or other symptoms.  
           [0043]    Such electrical and electrochemical symptoms can be changes in the patient&#39;s EEG, changes in the patient&#39;s intracellular EEG or the like which are recognized as precursors of episodes. These electrical and electrochemical symptoms are often related to intracellular gate changes. Such electrochemical and chemical symptoms can be the presence or change in amount of certain biogenic chemicals present near the sensing-contact, particularly neurotransmitters such as amines, amine metabolites, ascorbic acid, amino acids and neuropeptides or dopamine, glutamate, aspartate, seratonin or the receptors, metabolites, precursors, agonists, antagonists or related enzymes of such chemicals or sodium, potassium or chloride ions or nitrous oxide.  
           [0044]    The sensing-contacts may be micro sensing-contacts which have surfaces with diameters of about 25 microns. The sensing-contacts can also be macro sensing-contacts which are cylinder type collars with lengths of about 2.5 millimeters and diameters of about 1.1 millimeters. Sensing-contacts are preferably gold or platinum though, as is recognized in the art, any conductive corrosion-resistant and non-toxic material may be used.  
           [0045]    The sensing-contacts may be micro-circuit or nano-circuit sensors which are able to measure electrical currents generated through the circuits in response to an imposed voltage signal and/or reduction/oxidation reactions of chemical species at the circuit. Such circuits are known in the electrical arts and are produced using microlithography.  
           [0046]    The sensing-contact may also be an optical sensor which is able to determine the concentrations of substances, chemical changes or cerebral blood flow rates. Optical sensors are preferably positioned at the tip of the depth electrode so that the exposed optical sensor projects from the electrode without increasing the diameter or thickness of the implanted device.  
           [0047]    In the preferred embodiment utilizing the Peltier cooler the sensing-contacts are preferably located on the same probe as the temperature-contact. This construction allows for efficient implantation and removal if necessary due to unanticipated problems in the patient.  
           [0048]    When using a Peltier cooler, the sensing-contacts are connected to sensing circuitry so that, upon detection of a physiological symptom of an incipient seizure, the sensing circuitry activates the supply of current to the heat-transfer operator and heat transfer is started, enabling the cooling of the targeted portion and suppression of the movement disorder episode. The sensing-contacts are preferably connected to the sensing circuitry through the distal end of the probe. The connection between the sensing-contacts and the sensing circuitry preferably runs alongside the Peltier cooler circuit or loop in order to minimize invasiveness.  
           [0049]    In the preferred embodiment utilizing the thermal-electric cooler the sensing-contacts do not need to be located on a probe. Instead the sensing-contacts could be located on the face of the cold junction of the thermal-electric cooler or on the temperature contact itself. The invention also provides for the placement of the sensing-contacts on a probe of the depth-electrode or flat-electrode type. When using a depth-electrode type probe, the sensing-contacts are implanted into the brain. When using a flat-electrode type probe, the sensing-contacts are implanted beneath the skull on the surface of the brain.  
           [0050]    When using a thermal-electric cooler, the sensing-contacts are connected to sensing circuitry so that, upon detection of a physiological symptom of an incipient seizure, the sensing circuitry activates the supply of current to the heat-transfer operator and heat transfer is started, enabling the cooling of the targeted portion and suppression of the movement disorder episode. The sensing-contacts can be connected to the sensing circuitry through the distal end of the probe, or simply around the exterior of the thermal-electric cooler if no probe is used. The connection between the sensing-contacts and the sensing circuitry preferably runs alongside the connection between the thermal-electric cooler and the power source in order to minimize invasiveness.  
           [0051]    To provide for the automatic cessation of heat transfer in either embodiment, the sensing-contacts are able to signal the sensing circuitry to cease supply of power to the heat-transfer operator upon the achieving sufficient cooling. Sufficient cooling is achieved by the attainment of a predetermined temperature at the targeted portion, after heat transfer for a programmed period of time, after attainment of a predetermined temperature for a programmed period of time, after the subsidence of physiological symptoms or upon the sensing of physiological indications of the suppression of the movement disorder episode.  
           [0052]    The period of time necessary for sufficient cooling may be programmed into the device, preferably into the sensing circuitry, before implantation or may be programmed by a physician, the patient or another person via telemetry or other remote means after implantation.  
           [0053]    The temperature at the targeted portion may be determined by a thermocouple or other temperature detection means located near the targeted portion. The thermocouple or temperature detection means operates to measure the temperature of the targeted portion of the brain so that sufficient cooling may be ascertained or excessive cooling may be avoided. The thermocouple or temperature detection means is preferably located on the implanted probe or on the surface of the temperature-contact or cold junction of the thermal-electric cooler. The thermocouple or other temperature detection means is preferably connected to the sensing circuitry through the connection between the sensing-contacts and the sensing circuitry (sensing-contacts-sensing circuitry connection).  
           [0054]    The sensing-contacts are powered by the power source through the connection between the sensing-contacts and the sensing circuitry (sensing-contact-sensing circuitry connection). The power source contains such sufficient energy that its replacement or recharging is not necessary for an extended period of time, perhaps as long as the patient&#39;s life, but at least about 3 years. The power source does not completely power off upon the sufficient cooling of the targeted portion. Rather, the power source continues to supply power to the sensing-contacts so that the sensing-contacts are able to detect the symptoms of the next movement disorder episode. The power source can be constructed so as to have a constant power component and a variable power component. The constant power component providing power to the sensing-contacts and the variable power component supplying a DC current to the heat-transfer operator to enable heat transfer.  
           [0055]    The power source is preferably implanted in the patient away from the brain in a less sensitive area of the body. Such areas may be in the patient&#39;s axilla or abdomen, outside the skull, or in place of a portion of the skull which is removed. The power source is preferably enclosed in a titanium housing or other metal enclosure.  
           [0056]    The titanium housing or metal enclosure can be used as an electrical ground for the electrical components of the device, such as the power source, sensing circuitry and heat-transfer operator. However, these electrical components may be otherwise grounded in the body. The titanium housing or metal enclosure can also be used as a heat sink or heat dissipater. The relatively large surface area of the housing and its location in a less heat-sensitive area of the body enable it to release heat efficiently.  
           [0057]    In the embodiment of the invention utilizing manual activation of heat transfer the implantation of sensing-contacts and sensing-circuitry is not necessary. Rather, the power source can be turned on or activated by a person upon the sensing of physiological symptoms of a movement disorder episode. Because the power source does not need to supply power to sensing-contacts, the power source can be completely powered off between episodes.  
           [0058]    The physiological symptoms are typically particular to the patient. Such symptoms can be the aura preceding an epileptic seizure. The aura is the period of time before the onset of a seizure when the patient experiences sensations or acts in a manner particular to an incipient seizure. Such sensations may be a stomach ache, photosensitivity or any other feeling which the patient recognizes as a precursor to a seizure. The patient may act in a way that others around them recognize as signaling an incipient seizure. These acts can include staring into space without reacting to the immediate surroundings or slowing down in speech or motion. In addition, an animal such as a dog may sense the incipient episode and react in a manner which is recognizable as being indicative of incipient episodes.  
           [0059]    It is also provided that physiological symptoms on the patient&#39;s skin may be detected by a sensor worn by the patient. Upon detection of a symptom, the sensor is able to signal an alert, either audibly, through vibration or otherwise as is known in the art. The alert notifies the patient or another person to switch on the variable power source, or otherwise activate the transfer of heat away from the targeted portion. Such a sensor can be worn by the patient, for instance, on the inside of the patient&#39;s watchband. The sensor is preferably able to detect chemical changes on the skin&#39;s surface.  
           [0060]    It is provided that upon identification of physiological symptoms of a movement disorder episode, the patient or another person may manually switch on the variable power source to activate heat transfer. The switching on process may include telemetry or other remote activation systems as are known in the art.  
           [0061]    The manual embodiment is also able to utilize automatic cessation of heat transfer. Automatic cessation occurs upon reaching sufficient cooling of the targeted area. Sufficient cooling is achieved by the attainment of a predetermined temperature at the targeted portion or after heat transfer for a programmed period of time.  
           [0062]    Finally, it is provided that the patient or another person may turn on the variable power source, or otherwise activate the heat transfer operator without the detection of a physiological symptom. Instead, such activation may be a prophylactic measure taken before the patient performs an activity during which an occurrence of a seizure would jeopardize the patient&#39;s safety. Such an activity may be driving a car or operating machinery. The heat transfer in such a situation would preferably occur for as long as the activity lasted to ensure that no movement disorder episodes occurred. Such prophylactic use may demand a great deal of energy and, therefore, may shorten the length of use of the power variable power source.  
           [0063]    It is also contemplated that the heat-transfer operator may be another device or system which absorbs heat from a specific predetermined area. Such a device could include a housing containing a site for endothermic chemical reactions and connected to thermal conveyers such that the thermal conveyers transfer heat from their extremities, located at the targeted portion, to the site. Such heat transfer can be accomplished through convection of fluids or conduction. The thermal conveyer must be well-insulated to allow for effective heat transfer. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0064]    [0064]FIGS. 1 and 1A are schematic representations of an implanted thermal transfer device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and utilizing a Peltier cooler and manual activation of heat transfer.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIGS. 2 and 2A are schematic representations of an implanted thermal transfer device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and utilizing a Peltier cooler and optical sensing of symptoms with fiber optic circuitry.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIGS. 3 and 3A are schematic representations of an implanted thermal transfer device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and utilizing a Peltier cooler and electrical, electrochemical or chemical sensors with electrical circuitry and a thermocouple.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIGS. 4, 4A and  4 B are schematic representations of an implanted thermal transfer device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and utilizing a thermal-electric cooler and manual activation of heat transfer.  
         [0068]    [0068]FIGS. 5, 5A and  5 B are schematic representations of an implanted thermal transfer device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and utilizing a thermal-electric cooler and optical sensing of symptoms with fiber optic circuitry.  
         [0069]    [0069]FIGS. 6 and 6A are schematic representations of an implanted thermal transfer device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and utilizing a thermal-electric cooler and electrical, electrochemical or chemical sensors with electrical circuitry. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0070]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1A, details of the implanted thermal transfer device, utilizing a Peltier cooler and manual activation thereof, for treatment of movement disorder episodes will be set forth. The thermal transfer device  110  requires the positioning of a temperature-contact  120  at a targeted portion  114  in the brain  112 . Temperature-contact  120  is located at the distal end  117  of a probe  118  and is preferably a gold or platinum collar as is known in the art. Probe  118  is inserted into brain  112  during implantation surgery. Probe  118  is preferably a flexible member with a thickness of about 5 millimeters or less.  
         [0071]    The cold junction  122  of a Peltier cooler is thermally coupled to temperature-contact  120  so that it is capable of transferring heat away from temperature-contact  120  thus cooling targeted portion  114 . Cold junction  122  and hot junction  124  are well-insulated so that heat is not absorbed from or by any tissue surrounding them. Peltier cooler circuit  123  preferably passes through the proximate end  119  of probe  118  and along the outside of the patient&#39;s skull through the patient&#39;s neck towards the patient&#39;s axilla until it reaches its hot junction  124 . Hot junction  124  releases heat which is able to safely dissipate into the body. Such safe dissipation is facilitated by thermally coupling the hot junction  124  to housing  140  which is able to efficiently dissipate heat. Housing  140  is preferably a titanium enclosure.  
         [0072]    Housing  140  is depicted as being mounted near the patient&#39;s axilla though it could be positioned farther from the brain in the patient&#39;s abdomen. Peltier cooler circuit  123  is connected to a power source  136  which provides an electric current to Peltier cooler circuit  123  when heat transfer is desired. Power source  136  typically comprises a long-lasting battery or other energy store and is preferably located within housing  140 . The passage of the DC electric current through Peltier cooler circuit  123  results in the absorption of heat at cold junction  122 , which results in absorption of heat by temperature-contact  120 . Peltier cooler circuit  123  is preferably comprised of multiple pairs of dissimilar materials, preferably metals or semi-conducting materials, connected at cold junction  122  and hot junction  124 .  
         [0073]    Heat is transferred from cold junction  122  to hot junction  124  as long as an electric current passes through Peltier cooler circuit  123 . When power source  136  ceases to provide power to Peltier cooler circuit  123 , heat is no longer absorbed and the temperature of targeted portion  114  and temperature-contact  120  slowly return to normal body temperature.  
         [0074]    Power source  136  is switched on or activated by the patient or another person in order to activate heat transfer. Power source  136  is switched on via telemetry or other remote methods. Typically, power source  136  is activated in response to the detection of a physiological symptom of an incipient movement disorder episode, though power source  136  can be activated as a prophylactic measure to prevent movement disorder episodes when the patient is particularly vulnerable to them or when their occurrence would endanger the patient.  
         [0075]    The physiological symptoms may be detected by the patient, another person, or even by an animal, or most preferably by a sensor worn by the patient. The patient may recognize symptoms which coincide with the aura preceding the onset of a movement disorder episode. Typically during the aura the patient experiences sensations or acts in a particular manner which is indicative of an oncoming episode. The sensations may be a stomach ache, photosensitivity or any other feeling which the patient recognizes as a precursor to a seizure. The patient may recognize his own behavior as foretelling an oncoming episode or another person may identify such behavior. The behavior may include staring into space without reaction to the immediate surroundings, slowing down in speech or motion or other abnormal acts. An animal such as a dog may also sense oncoming episodes and alert the patient through its own particular behavior. Finally, a sensor worn on the patient&#39;s body may detect chemical changes on the patient&#39;s skin which are indicative of incipient episodes and alert the patient through a audible or vibrational alarm.  
         [0076]    Power source  136  ceases to supply current to Peltier cooler circuit  123  when targeted portion  114  is sufficiently cooled. Sufficient cooling can be defined to occur when targeted portion  114  reaches a certain temperature or when heat transfer has occurred for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time can be programmed before implantation, or after implantation via telemetry or other remote means, preferably by a physician.  
         [0077]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 2A, details of the implanted thermal transfer device, utilizing a Peltier cooler and automatic activation thereof, for treatment of movement disorder episodes will be set forth. The thermal transfer device  210  requires the positioning of a temperature-contact  220  at a targeted portion  214  in the brain  212 . Temperature-contact  220  is located at the distal end  217  of a probe  218  and is preferably a gold or platinum collar as is known in the art. Probe  218  is inserted into brain  212  during implantation surgery. Probe  218  is preferably a flexible member with a thickness of about 5 millimeters or less.  
         [0078]    Located at the tip of probe  218  is a sensing-contact which is an optical sensor  230 . The optical sensor  230  is capable of measuring chemical changes, optical changes or cerebral blood flow changes. Optical sensor  230  may be coated with a material which is sensitive to the measured chemical conditions at the targeted portion  214  or optical sensor  230  may be polished such that it is sensitive to optical conditions or blood flow changes at the targeted portion  214 .  
         [0079]    Sensing-contact  230  is connected to sensing circuitry or controller  234  by sensing-contact-sensing circuitry connection  244  which is fiber optic. Sensing circuitry  234  is positioned in housing  240  which is a titanium enclosure. Sensing circuitry can be grounded to housing  240  or may be grounded elsewhere.  
         [0080]    The cold junction  222  of a Peltier cooler is thermally coupled to temperature-contact  220  so that it is capable of transferring heat away from temperature-contact  220  thus cooling targeted portion  214 . Cold junction  222  and hot junction  224  are well-insulated so that heat is not absorbed from or by any tissue surrounding them. Peltier cooler circuit  223  preferably passes through the proximate end  219  of probe  218  and along the outside of the patient&#39;s skull through the patient&#39;s neck towards the patient&#39;s axilla until it reaches its hot junction  224 . Hot junction  224  releases heat which is able to safely dissipate into the body. Such safe dissipation is facilitated by thermally coupling the hot junction  224  to housing  240  which is able to efficiently dissipate heat. Housing  240  is preferably a titanium enclosure.  
         [0081]    Housing  240  is depicted as being mounted near the patient&#39;s axilla though it could be positioned farther from the brain in the patient&#39;s abdomen. Peltier cooler circuit  223  is connected to a power source  236  which provides an electric current to Peltier cooler circuit  223  when heat transfer is desired. Power source  236  typically comprises a long-lasting battery or other energy store and is preferably located within housing  240 . The passage of the DC electric current through Peltier cooler circuit  223  results in the absorption of heat at cold junction  222 , which results in absorption of heat by temperature-contact  220 . Peltier cooler circuit  223  is preferably comprised of multiple pairs of dissimilar materials, preferably metals or semi-conducting materials, connected at cold junction  222  and hot junction  224 .  
         [0082]    Heat is transferred from cold junction  222  to hot junction  224  as long as an electric current passes through Peltier cooler circuit  223 . When power source  236  ceases to provide power to Peltier cooler circuit  223 , heat is no longer absorbed and the temperature of targeted portion  214  and temperature-contact  220  slowly return to normal body temperature.  
         [0083]    Symptoms of incipient seizures are measured as either chemical, optical or cerebral blood flow changes in the brain by the sensing-contacts  230 . Upon identification of such symptoms, sensing/activation circuitry  234  activates power source  236  to supply DC current to the Peltier cooler circuit  223 . As DC current is passed through Peltier cooler circuit  223 , cold junction  222  absorbs heat from temperature-contact  220  which, in turn, absorbs heat from targeted point  214 . Heat is released from hot junction  224  into housing  240  where it safely dissipates into the body.  
         [0084]    Such heat transfer can occur for a programmed period of time controlled by sensing/activation circuitry  234 , until a predetermined temperature is reached in targeted portion  214  or until sensing-contacts  230  no longer detect symptoms or otherwise detect subsidence of the movement disorder episode.  
         [0085]    Referring to FIGS. 3 and 3A, details of the implanted thermal transfer device, utilizing a Peltier cooler and automatic activation thereof, for treatment of movement disorder episodes will be set forth. The thermal transfer device  310  requires the positioning of a temperature-contact  320  at a targeted portion  314  in the brain  312 . Temperature-contact  320  is located at the distal end  317  of a probe  318  and is preferably a gold or platinum collar as is known in the art. Probe  318  is inserted into brain  312  during implantation surgery. Probe  318  is preferably a flexible member with a thickness of about 5 millimeters or less.  
         [0086]    Located on the distal end  317  of probe  318  is at least one sensing-contact  330  which may be a gold or platinum contact capable of measuring electrical or electrochemical changes or may be micro-circuits or nano-circuits capable of measuring electrochemical or chemical changes. Such micro- or nano-circuits are known in the art of electrical circuitry and are typically fabricated using microlithography such that they are able to measure electrochemical or chemical changes at the level of neurons.  
         [0087]    Sensing-contact  330  is connected to sensing circuitry or controller  334  by sensing-contact-sensing circuitry connection  344 . Sensing circuitry  334  is positioned in housing  340  which is a titanium enclosure. Sensing circuitry can be grounded to housing  340  or may be grounded elsewhere.  
         [0088]    The cold junction  322  of a Peltier cooler is thermally coupled to temperature-contact  320  so that it is capable of transferring heat away from temperature-contact  320  thus cooling targeted portion  314 . Cold junction  322  and hot junction  324  are well-insulated so that heat is not absorbed from or by any tissue surrounding them. Peltier cooler circuit  323  preferably passes through the proximate end  319  of probe  318  and along the outside of the patient&#39;s skull through the patient&#39;s neck towards the patient&#39;s axilla until it reaches its hot junction  324 . Hot junction  324  releases heat which is able to safely dissipate into the body. Such safe dissipation is facilitated by thermally coupling the hot junction  324  to housing  340  which is able to efficiently dissipate heat. Housing  340  is preferably a titanium enclosure.  
         [0089]    Housing  340  is depicted as being mounted near the patient&#39;s axilla though it could be positioned farther from the brain in the patient&#39;s abdomen. Peltier cooler circuit  323  is connected to a power source  336  which provides an electric current to Peltier cooler circuit  323  when heat transfer is desired. Power source  336  typically comprises a long-lasting battery or other energy store and is preferably located within housing  340 . The passage of the DC electric current through Peltier cooler circuit  323  results in the absorption of heat at cold junction  322 , which results in absorption of heat by temperature-contact  320 . Peltier cooler circuit  323  is preferably comprised of multiple pairs of dissimilar materials, preferably metals or semi-conducting materials, connected at cold junction  322  and hot junction  324 .  
         [0090]    Heat is transferred from cold junction  322  to hot junction  324  as long as an electric current passes through Peltier cooler circuit  323 . When power source  336  ceases to provide power to Peltier cooler circuit  323 , heat is no longer absorbed and the temperature of targeted portion  314  and temperature-contact  320  slowly return to normal body temperature.  
         [0091]    Symptoms of incipient seizures are measured as either electrical, electrochemical or chemical changes in the brain by the sensing-contacts  330 . Upon identification of such symptoms, sensing/activation circuitry  334  activates power source  336  to supply DC current to the Peltier cooler circuit  323 . As DC current is passed through Peltier cooler circuit  323 , cold junction  322  absorbs heat from temperature-contact  320  which, in turn, absorbs heat from targeted point  314 . Heat is released from hot junction  324  into housing  340  where it safely dissipates into the body.  
         [0092]    Such heat transfer can occur for a programmed period of time controlled by sensing/activation circuitry  334 , until a predetermined temperature is reached in targeted portion  314  or until sensing-contacts  330  no longer detect symptoms or otherwise detect subsidence of the movement disorder episode.  
         [0093]    The temperature at targeted portion  314  can be measured by thermocouple or other temperature detection device  316 . Thermocouple  316  can be positioned on probe  318  and is connected to sensing-contact-sensing circuitry connection  344  such that the temperature at targeted portion  314  can be analyzed by circuitry  334 .  
         [0094]    Referring to FIGS. 4, 4A and  4 B, details of the implanted thermal transfer device, utilizing a thermal-electric cooler and manual activation thereof, for treatment of movement disorder episodes will be set forth. The thermal transfer device  410  requires the positioning of a temperature-contact  420  at a targeted portion  414  on the brain  412 . Temperature-contact  420  is located on the face of cold junction  422  or thermal-electric junction  423  and is preferably a gold or platinum foil or collar. Temperature-contact  420  and thermal-electric junction  423  are positioned at targeted portion  414  during implantation surgery. During implantation it is preferred that a piece of skull roughly equivalent in size to the thermal-electric junction  423  is removed and the temperature contact  420  and thermal-electric junction  423  are implanted in the resulting void.  
         [0095]    Cold junction  422  is thermally coupled to temperature-contact  420  so that it is capable of transferring heat away from temperature-contact  420  thus cooling targeted portion  414 . Hot junction  424  of thermal-electric cooler  423  faces away from the brain and is able to release heat which passes out of the head and dissipates into the atmosphere. Power source  436  is implanted in the patient&#39;s torso. Thermal-electric cooler  423  is connected to power source  436  via thermal-electric cooler-power source connection  438  such that a DC current supplied by power source  436  is able to pass through thermal-electric cooler  423  and cause cold junction  422  to absorb heat from temperature-contact  420  which, in turn, absorbs heat from targeted portion  414 .  
         [0096]    Thermal-electric cooler-power source connection  438  preferably passes along the outside of the patient&#39;s skull through the patient&#39;s neck towards the patient&#39;s axilla until it reaches power source  436 . Power source  436  is preferably located inside housing  440 . Housing  440  is preferably a titanium enclosure. Housing  440  is depicted as being mounted near the patient&#39;s axilla though it could be positioned farther from the brain in the patient&#39;s abdomen.  
         [0097]    Power source  436  typically comprises a long-lasting battery or other energy store and is preferably located within housing  440 . The passage of the DC electric current through thermal-electric cooler  423  results in the absorption of heat at cold junction  422 , which results in absorption of heat by temperature-contact  420 . Thermal-electric cooler  423  is preferably comprised of multiple semiconducting materials connected in series and is preferably enclosed by a sealed nontoxic enclosure.  
         [0098]    Heat is transferred from cold junction  422  to hot junction  424  as long as an electric current passes through thermal-electric cooler  423 . When power source  436  ceases to provide power to thermal-electric cooler  423 , heat is no longer absorbed and the temperature of targeted portion  414  and temperature-contact  420  slowly return to normal body temperature.  
         [0099]    Power source  436  is switched on or activated by the patient or another person in order to activate heat transfer. Power source  436  is switched on via telemetry or other remote methods. Typically, power source  436  is activated in response to the detection of a physiological symptom of an incipient movement disorder episode, though power source  436  can be activated as a prophylactic measure to prevent movement disorder episodes when the patient is particularly vulnerable to them or when their occurrence would endanger the patient.  
         [0100]    The physiological symptoms may be detected by the patient, another person, or even by an animal, or most preferably by a sensor worn by the patient. The patient may recognize symptoms which coincide with the aura preceding the onset of a movement disorder episode. Typically during the aura the patient experiences sensations or acts in a particular manner which is indicative of an oncoming episode. The sensations may be a stomach ache, photosensitivity or any other feeling which the patient recognizes as a precursor to a seizure. The patient may recognize his own behavior as foretelling an oncoming episode or another person may identify such behavior. The behavior may include staring into space without reaction to the immediate surroundings, slowing down in speech or motion or other abnormal acts. An animal such as a dog may also sense oncoming episodes and alert the patient through its own particular behavior. Finally, a sensor worn on the patient&#39;s body may detect chemical changes on the patient&#39;s skin which are indicative of incipient episodes and alert the patient through a audible or vibrational alarm.  
         [0101]    Power source  436  ceases to supply current to thermal-electric cooler  423  when targeted portion  414  is sufficiently cooled. Sufficient cooling can be defined to occur when targeted portion  414  reaches a certain temperature or when heat transfer has occurred for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time can be programmed before implantation, or after implantation via telemetry or other remote means, preferably by a physician.  
         [0102]    Referring to FIGS. 5, 5A and  5 B, details of the implanted thermal transfer device, utilizing a thermal-electric cooler and automatic activation thereof, for treatment of movement disorder episodes will be set forth. The thermal transfer device  510  requires the positioning of a temperature-contact  520  at a targeted portion  514  on the brain  512 . Temperature-contact  520  is located on the face of cold junction  522  or thermal-electric junction  523  and is preferably a gold or platinum foil or collar. Temperature-contact  520  and thermal-electric junction  523  are positioned at targeted portion  514  during implantation surgery. During implantation it is preferred that a piece of skull roughly equivalent in size to the thermal-electric junction  523  is removed and the temperature contact  520  and thermal-electric junction  523  are implanted in the resulting void.  
         [0103]    Probe  518  is inserted into brain  512  during implantation surgery. Probe  518  is preferably a flexible member with a thickness of about 5 millimeters or less.  
         [0104]    Located at the tip of probe  518  is a sensing-contact which is an optical sensor  530 . The optical sensor  530  is capable of measuring chemical changes, optical changes or cerebral blood flow changes. Optical sensor  530  is coated with a material which is sensitive to the measured conditions at the targeted portion  514 .  
         [0105]    Sensing-contact  530  is connected to sensing circuitry or controller  534  by sensing-contact-sensing circuitry connection  544  which is fiber optic. Sensing circuitry  534  is positioned in housing  540  which is a titanium enclosure. Sensing circuitry can be grounded to housing  540  or may be grounded elsewhere.  
         [0106]    Cold junction  522  is thermally coupled to temperature-contact  520  so that it is capable of transferring heat away from temperature-contact  520  thus cooling targeted portion  514 . Hot junction  524  of thermal-electric cooler  523  faces away from the brain and is able to release heat which passes out of the head and dissipates into the atmosphere. Power source  536  is implanted in the patient&#39;s torso. Thermal-electric cooler  523  is connected to power source  536  via thermal-electric cooler-power source connection  538  such that a DC current supplied by power source  536  is able to pass through thermal-electric cooler  523  and cause cold junction  522  to absorb heat from temperature-contact  520  which, in turn, absorbs heat from targeted portion  514 .  
         [0107]    Thermal-electric cooler-power source connection  538  preferably passes along the outside of the patient&#39;s skull through the patient&#39;s neck towards the patient&#39;s axilla until it reaches power source  536 . Power source  536  is preferably located inside housing  540 . Housing  540  is preferably a titanium enclosure. Housing  540  is depicted as being mounted near the patient&#39;s axilla though it could be positioned farther from the brain in the patient&#39;s abdomen.  
         [0108]    Power source  536  typically comprises a long-lasting battery or other energy store and is preferably located within housing  540 . The passage of the DC electric current through thermal-electric cooler  523  results in the absorption of heat at cold junction  522 , which results in absorption of heat by temperature-contact  520 . Thermal-electric cooler  523  is preferably comprised of multiple semiconducting materials connected in series and is preferably enclosed by a sealed nontoxic enclosure.  
         [0109]    Heat is transferred from cold junction  522  to hot junction  524  as long as an electric current passes through thermal-electric cooler  523 . When power source  536  ceases to provide power to thermal-electric cooler  523 , heat is no longer absorbed and the temperature of targeted portion  514  and temperature-contact  520  slowly return to normal body temperature.  
         [0110]    Symptoms of incipient seizures are measured as either chemical, optical or cerebral blood flow changes in the brain by the sensing-contacts  530 . Upon identification of such symptoms, sensing/activation circuitry  534  activates power source  536  to supply DC current to the thermal-electric junction  523 . As DC current is passed through thermal-electric junction  523 , cold junction  522  absorbs heat from temperature-contact  520  which, in turn, absorbs heat from targeted point  514 . Heat is released from hot junction  524  into housing  540  where it safely dissipates into the body.  
         [0111]    Such heat transfer can occur for a programmed period of time controlled by sensing/activation circuitry  534 , until a predetermined temperature is reached in targeted portion  514  or until sensing-contacts  530  no longer detect symptoms or otherwise detect subsidence of the movement disorder episode.  
         [0112]    Referring to FIGS. 6, 6A and  6 B, details of the implanted thermal transfer device, utilizing a thermal-electric cooler and automatic activation thereof, for treatment of movement disorder episodes will be set forth. The thermal transfer device  610  requires the positioning of a temperature-contact  620  at a targeted portion  614  on the brain  612 . Temperature-contact  620  is located on the face of cold junction  622  or thermal-electric junction  623  and is preferably a gold or platinum foil or collar. Temperature-contact  620  and thermal-electric junction  623  are positioned at targeted portion  614  during implantation surgery. During implantation it is preferred that a piece of skull roughly equivalent in size to the thermal-electric junction  623  is removed and the temperature contact  620  and thermal-electric junction  623  are implanted in the resulting void.  
         [0113]    Located on the face of temperature-contact  620  or thermal-electric cooler  623  is a sensing-contact  630 . Sensing-contact  630  is capable of measuring electrical, electrochemical or chemical changes.  
         [0114]    Sensing-contact  630  is connected to sensing circuitry or controller  634  by sensing-contact-sensing circuitry connection  644 . Sensing circuitry  634  is positioned in housing  640  which is a titanium enclosure. Sensing circuitry can be grounded to housing  640  or may be grounded elsewhere.  
         [0115]    Cold junction  622  is thermally coupled to temperature-contact  620  so that it is capable of transferring heat away from temperature-contact  620  thus cooling targeted portion  614 . Hot junction  624  of thermal-electric cooler  623  faces away from the brain and is able to release heat which passes out of the head and dissipates into the atmosphere. Power source  636  is implanted in the patient&#39;s torso. Thermal-electric cooler  623  is connected to power source  636  via thermal-electric cooler-power source connection  638  such that a DC current supplied by power source  636  is able to pass through thermal-electric cooler  623  and cause cold junction  622  to absorb heat from temperature-contact  620  which, in turn, absorbs heat from targeted portion  614 .  
         [0116]    Thermal-electric cooler-power source connection  638  preferably passes along the outside of the patient&#39;s skull through the patient&#39;s neck towards the patient&#39;s axilla until it reaches power source  636 . Power source  636  is preferably located inside housing  640 . Housing  640  is preferably a titanium enclosure. Housing  640  is depicted as being mounted near the patient&#39;s axilla though it could be positioned farther from the brain in the patient&#39;s abdomen.  
         [0117]    Power source  636  typically comprises a long-lasting battery or other energy store and is preferably located within housing  640 . The passage of the DC electric current through thermal-electric cooler  623  results in the absorption of heat at cold junction  622 , which results in absorption of heat by temperature-contact  620 . Thermal-electric cooler  623  is preferably comprised of multiple semiconducting materials connected in series and is preferably enclosed by a sealed nontoxic enclosure.  
         [0118]    Heat is transferred from cold junction  622  to hot junction  624  as long as an electric current passes through thermal-electric cooler  623 . When power source  636  ceases to provide power to thermal-electric cooler  623 , heat is no longer absorbed and the temperature of targeted portion  614  and temperature-contact  620  slowly return to normal body temperature.  
         [0119]    Symptoms of incipient seizures are measured as either electrical, electrochemical or chemical changes in the brain by the sensing-contacts  630 . Upon identification of such symptoms, sensing circuitry  634  activates power source  636  to supply DC current to the thermal-electric junction  623 . As DC current is passed through thermal-electric junction  623 , cold junction  622  absorbs heat from temperature-contact  620  which, in turn, absorbs heat from targeted point  614 . Heat is released from hot junction  624  into housing  640  where it safely dissipates into the body.  
         [0120]    Such heat transfer can occur for a programmed period of time controlled by sensing/activation circuitry  634 , until a predetermined temperature is reached in targeted portion  614  or until sensing-contacts  630  no longer detect symptoms or otherwise detect subsidence of the movement disorder episode  
       EXAMPLE 1  
       [0121]    Probe  118  of the depth electrode type is implanted in the patient&#39;s brain  112  so that temperature-contact  120  is located at targeted portion  114 . A pair of dissimilar conductors in a Peltier cooler  123  are positioned such that one junction is located adjacent to temperature-contact  120  and another junction is located next to housing  140 . Housing  140  is implanted in the patient&#39;s torso and is preferably a titanium enclosure. Power source  136  is positioned in housing  140 . Power source  136  is connected to pair of dissimilar conductors in a Peltier cooler  123  such that a DC current can be passed through the Peltier cooler circuit  123 . The DC current travels in a certain direction such that cold junction of Peltier cooler  122  is positioned next to temperature-contact  120  and hot junction of Peltier cooler  124  is positioned near housing  140 .  
         [0122]    The Peltier cooler circuit is thermally coupled to temperature contact  120  and housing  140  such that heat is transferred from temperature-contact  120  to cold junction  122  and from hot junction  124  to housing  140  upon operation of the Peltier cooler.  
         [0123]    When physiological symptoms of incipient seizures are identified or recognized by the patient, another person or an animal, a person remotely activates power source  136  to supply DC current to the Peltier cooler circuit  123 . As DC current is passed through Peltier cooler circuit  123 , cold junction  122  absorbs heat from temperature-contact  120  which, in turn, absorbs heat from targeted portion  114 . Heat is released from hot junction  124  into housing  140  where it safely dissipates into the body.  
         [0124]    Such heat transfer can occur for a programmed period of time, until a predetermined temperature is reached in targeted portion  114  or until the patient no longer detects symptoms or otherwise detects subsidence of the movement disorder episode. Heat transfer may be automatically discontinued or turned off by the patient or another person.  
       EXAMPLE 2  
       [0125]    Probe  218  of the depth electrode type is implanted in the patient&#39;s brain  212  so that temperature-contact  220  is located at targeted portion  214 . Located at the tip of probe  218  is at least one sensing-contact  230  which is an optical sensor capable of measuring chemical, optical or cerebral blood flow changes. As is known in the art, such optical sensors may be coated with a material which is sensitive to the surrounding chemical conditions undergoing sensing. Chemical, optical or cerebral blood flow changes in the targeted portion  214  of the brain  212  are sensed through changes in optics within the optical sensor.  
         [0126]    Sensing-contact  230  is connected to sensing/activation circuitry  234  by sensing-contact-circuitry connection  244 . Sensing-contact-circuitry connection  244  is a fiber optic which is able to transmit data in an optical form to sensing/activation circuitry  234 . Sensing/activation circuitry  234  is positioned in housing  240  which provides a secure housing for the circuitry  234 . Circuitry  234  can be grounded to housing  240 . Housing  240  is implanted in the patient&#39;s torso, preferably in the patient&#39;s axilla.  
         [0127]    Power source  236  supplies power to enable sensing through the sensing/activation circuitry  234 . Power source  236  is positioned in housing  240 . Power source  236  is further connected to the Peltier cooler such that a DC current can be passed through the Peltier cooler circuit  223 . The DC current travels in a certain direction such that cold junction of Peltier cooler  222  is positioned next to temperature-contact  220  and hot junction of Peltier cooler  224  is positioned next to housing  240 .  
         [0128]    The Peltier cooler circuit is thermally coupled to temperature contact  220  and housing  240  such that heat is transferred from temperature-contact  220  to cold junction  222  and from hot junction  224  to housing  240 .  
         [0129]    Symptoms of incipient seizures are measured as either chemical, optical or cerebral blood flow changes in the brain by the sensing-contacts  230 . Upon identification of such symptoms, sensing/activation circuitry  234  activates power source  236  to supply DC current to the Peltier cooler circuit  223 . As DC current is passed through Peltier cooler circuit  223 , cold junction  222  absorbs heat from temperature-contact  220  which, in turn, absorbs heat from targeted point  214 . Heat is released from hot junction  224  into housing  240  where it safely dissipates into the body.  
         [0130]    Such heat transfer can occur for a programmed period of time controlled by sensing/activation circuitry  234 , until a predetermined temperature is reached in targeted portion  214  or until sensing-contacts  230  no longer detect symptoms or otherwise detect subsidence of the movement disorder episode.  
       EXAMPLE 3  
       [0131]    Probe  318  of the depth electrode type is implanted in the patient&#39;s brain  312  so that temperature-contact  320  is located at targeted portion  314 . Also located on probe  318  are sensing-contacts  330  which may be gold or platinum contacts capable of measuring electrical or electrochemical changes or may be micro-circuits or nano-circuits capable of measuring electrochemical or chemical changes. Such micro- or nano-circuits are known in the art of electrical circuitry and are typically fabricated using microlithography such that they are able to measure electrochemical or chemical changes at the level of neurons.  
         [0132]    Sensing-contacts  330  are connected to sensing/activation circuitry  334  by sensing-contact-circuitry connection  344 . Sensing/activation circuitry  334  is positioned in housing  340  which provides a secure housing for the circuitry  334 . Circuitry  334  can be grounded to housing  340 . Housing  340  is implanted in the patient&#39;s torso, preferably in the patient&#39;s axilla.  
         [0133]    Power source  336  supplies power to sensing-contacts  330  through the sensing/activation circuitry  334 . Power source  336  is positioned in housing  340 . Power source  336  is further connected to the Peltier cooler such that a DC current can be passed through the Peltier cooler circuit  323 . The DC current travels in a certain direction such that cold junction of Peltier cooler  322  is positioned next to temperature-contact  320  and hot junction of Peltier cooler  324  is positioned next to housing  340 .  
         [0134]    The Peltier cooler circuit is thermally coupled to temperature contact  320  and housing  340  such that heat is transferred from temperature-contact  320  to cold junction  322  and from hot junction  324  to housing  340 .  
         [0135]    Symptoms of incipient seizures are measured as either electrical, electrochemical and/or chemical changes in the brain by the sensing-contacts  330 . Upon identification of such symptoms, sensing/activation circuitry  334  activates power source  336  to supply DC current to the Peltier cooler circuit  323 . As DC current is passed through Peltier cooler circuit  323 , cold junction  322  absorbs heat from temperature-contact  320  which, in turn, absorbs heat from targeted point  314 . Heat is released from hot junction  324  into housing  340  where it safely dissipates into the body.  
         [0136]    Such heat transfer can occur for a programmed period of time controlled by sensing/activation circuitry  334 , until a predetermined temperature is reached in targeted portion  314  or until sensing-contacts  330  no longer detect symptoms or otherwise detect subsidence of the movement disorder episode. The temperature at targeted portion  314  is measured by thermocouple  316 . Thermocouple  316  is positioned on probe  318  and is connected to sensing-contact-sensing circuitry connection  344  such that the temperature at targeted portion  314  can be analyzed by circuitry  334 .  
       EXAMPLE 4  
       [0137]    A piece of skull is removed and thermal-electric cooler  423  is implanted in its place such that cold junction  422  of thermal-electric cooler  423  is adjacent to the surface of the brain  412 . Hot junction  424  of thermal-electric cooler  423  faces away from the brain. Thermal-electric cooler  423  is connected to power source  436  via thermal-electric cooler-power source connection  438  such that a DC current supplied by power source  436  is able to pass through thermal-electric cooler  423  and cause cold junction  422  to absorb heat from temperature-contact  420  which, in turn, absorbs heat from targeted portion  414 . Heat can be released from hot junction  424  and pass out of the head dissipating into the atmosphere. Power source  436  is implanted in the patient&#39;s torso.  
         [0138]    When physiological symptoms of incipient seizures are identified or recognized by the patient, another person or an animal, a person remotely activates power source  436  to supply DC current to thermal-electric cooler  423 . As DC current is passed through thermal-electric cooler  423 , cold junction  422  absorbs heat from temperature-contact  420  which, in turn, absorbs heat from targeted portion  414 . Heat is released from hot junction  424  where it safely dissipates into the atmosphere.  
         [0139]    Such heat transfer can occur for a programmed period of time, until a predetermined temperature is reached in targeted portion  414  or until the patient no longer detects symptoms or otherwise detects subsidence of the movement disorder episode. Heat transfer may be automatically discontinued or turned off by the patient or another person.  
       EXAMPLE 5  
       [0140]    A piece of skull is removed and thermal-electric cooler  523  is implanted in its place such that cold junction  522  of thermal-electric cooler  523  is adjacent to the surface of the brain  512 . Hot junction  524  of thermal-electric cooler  523  faces away from the brain. Thermal-electric cooler  523  is connected to power source  536  via thermal-electric cooler-power source connection  538  such that a DC current supplied by power source  536  is able to pass through thermal-electric cooler  523  and cause cold junction  522  to absorb heat from temperature-contact  520  which, in turn, absorbs heat from targeted portion  514 . Heat can be released from hot junction  524  and pass out of the head dissipating into the atmosphere. Power source  536  is implanted in the patient&#39;s torso.  
         [0141]    Probe  518  of the depth electrode type is implanted in the patient&#39;s brain  512 . Located at the tip of probe  518  is at least one sensing-contact  530  which is an optical sensor capable of measuring chemical, optical or cerebral blood flow changes. As is known in the art, such optical sensors are typically coated with a material which is sensitive to the surrounding conditions undergoing sensing. Chemical, optical or cerebral blood flow changes in the targeted portion  514  of the brain  512  are sensed through changes in optics within the optical sensor.  
         [0142]    Sensing-contact  530  is connected to sensing/activation circuitry  534  by sensing-contact-circuitry connection  544 . Sensing-contact-circuitry connection  544  is a fiber optic which is able to transmit data in an optical form to sensing/activation circuitry  534 . Sensing/activation circuitry  534  is positioned in housing  540  which provides a secure housing for the circuitry  534 . Circuitry  534  can be grounded to housing  540 . Housing  540  is implanted in the patient&#39;s torso, preferably in the patient&#39;s axilla. Power source  536  supplies power to enable sensing through the sensing/activation circuitry  534 .  
         [0143]    Symptoms of incipient seizures are measured as either chemical, optical or cerebral blood flow changes in the brain by the sensing-contacts  530 . Upon identification of such symptoms, sensing/activation circuitry  534  activates power source  536  to supply DC current to the thermal-electric cooler  523 . As DC current is passed through thermal-electric cooler  523 , cold junction  522  absorbs heat from temperature-contact  520  which, in turn, absorbs heat from targeted point  514 . Heat is released from hot junction  524  into housing  540  where it safely dissipates into the body.  
         [0144]    Such heat transfer can occur for a programmed period of time controlled by sensing/activation circuitry  534 , until a predetermined temperature is reached in targeted portion  514  or until sensing-contacts  530  no longer detect symptoms or otherwise detect subsidence of the movement disorder episode.  
       EXAMPLE 6  
       [0145]    A piece of skull is removed and thermal-electric cooler  623  is implanted in its place such that cold junction  622  of thermal-electric cooler  623  is adjacent to the surface of the brain  612 . Hot junction  624  of thermal-electric cooler  623  faces away from the brain. Thermal-electric cooler  623  is connected to power source  636  via thermal-electric cooler-power source connection  638  such that a DC current supplied by power source  636  is able to pass through thermal-electric cooler  623  and cause cold junction  622  to absorb heat from temperature-contact  620  which, in turn, absorbs heat from targeted portion  614 . Heat can be released from hot junction  624  and pass out of the head dissipating into the atmosphere. Power source  636  is implanted in the patient&#39;s torso.  
         [0146]    Located on the face of temperature-contact  620  or thermal-electric cooler  623  is at least one sensing-contact  630  capable of measuring electrical, electrochemical or chemical changes. Sensing-contact  630  is connected to sensing/activation circuitry  634  by sensing-contact-circuitry connection  644 . Sensing-contact-circuitry connection  644 . Sensing/activation circuitry  634  is positioned in housing  640  which provides a secure housing for the circuitry  634 . Circuitry  634  can be grounded to housing  640 . Housing  640  is implanted in the patient&#39;s torso, preferably in the patient&#39;s axilla. Power source  636  supplies power to enable sensing through the sensing/activation circuitry  634 .  
         [0147]    Symptoms of incipient seizures are measured as either electrical, electrochemical or chemical changes in the brain by the sensing-contacts  630 . Upon identification of such symptoms, sensing/activation circuitry  634  activates power source  636  to supply DC current to the thermal-electric cooler  623 . As DC current is passed through thermal-electric cooler  623 , cold junction  622  absorbs heat from temperature-contact  620  which, in turn, absorbs heat from targeted point  614 . Heat is released from hot junction  624  into housing  640  where it safely dissipates into the body.  
         [0148]    Such heat transfer can occur for a programmed period of time controlled by sensing/activation circuitry  634 , until a predetermined temperature is reached in targeted portion  614  or until sensing-contacts  630  no longer detect symptoms or otherwise detect subsidence of the movement disorder episode.