Source: https://patents.justia.com/patent/20120310077
Timestamp: 2019-12-10 09:07:13
Document Index: 739916821

Matched Legal Cases: ['§121', '§119', 'Application No. 61', '§120', '§119', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 2003', 'Application No. 2003', 'Application No. 2003', 'Application No. 2003', 'Application No. 61']

US Patent Application for Neurophysiological Activation by Vestibular or Cranial Nerve Stimulation Patent Application (Application #20120310077 issued December 6, 2012) - Justia Patents Search
Justia Patents Magnetic Field Sensor (e.g., Magnetometer, Squid)US Patent Application for Neurophysiological Activation by Vestibular or Cranial Nerve Stimulation Patent Application (Application #20120310077)
Neurophysiological Activation by Vestibular or Cranial Nerve Stimulation
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §121 to, and is divisional of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/699,374, filed Feb. 3, 2010, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/224,668, filed Jul. 10, 2009 and which is itself a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/669,684, filed Jan. 19, 2010, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/071935, filed Aug. 1, 2008, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/953,700, filed Aug. 3, 2007, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present invention concerns apparatuses and associated methods useful for delivering stimulation to the nervous system and/or the vestibular system of an individual, thereby inducing physiological changes in the individual and/or treating a disorder or symptom of the individual.
Caloric vestibular stimulation (“CVS”) has long been known as a diagnostic procedure for testing the function of the vestibular system. In the traditional hospital setting, water caloric tests are used to assess levels of consciousness during acute or chronic brain injury. The brain injury may be due to head trauma or a central nervous system event such as a stroke. Other brain injuries occur in the presence of metabolic abnormalities (e.g., kidney disease, diabetes), seizures, or toxic levels of controlled substances or alcohol.
Disorder/Symptom Treated Reference Dizziness U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0195588 Elusive sleep U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,275 Migraine headaches O. Kolev, Cephalalgia 10: 167 (1990) Neurodegenerative disorders Y. Yamamoto et al., Ann Neurol. 58: 175 (2005) Parkinson's Disease Y. Yamamoto et al., Ann Neurol. 58: 175 (2005) Reduced respiratory function U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,275 Restricted airway U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,275 Seasickness/Travel sickness U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0195588 Seizure U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0195588 Spatial- and verbal-memory D. Bachtold et al., Exp Brain Res 136:128 (2001) Thalamic pain syndrome V. Ramachandran et al. Neurocase, iFirst, 1-4 (2007) Vertigo U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,275; U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0195588
Brain Area Activated by CVS Associated Disorders/Symptoms Brain stem hiccups, cranial nerve disorders, dizziness, facial weakness, nystagmus, voice alterations, vertical gaze problems, blurred vision, dysarthria, repiratory problems Cerbellum vertigo, nystagmus, tremor, slurred speech, movement disorders Cuneus/Precuneus faulty visual processing Fusiform gyrus autism, faulty word/number recognition, faulty processing of color information Hippocampus Alzheimer's disease, memory dysfunction Insula cortex addiction, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric disorders Lingual gyrus faulty visual processing Parahippocampus faulty memory encoding/retrieval Parietal lobe hemianesthesia, seizures, visual dysfunction, facial numbness, agraphia, dysgraphia, alien limb syndrome, spatial neglect Putamen extrapyramidal signs Singular gyrus schizophrenia, ADHD, OCD, mutism, mood disorders Supplementary motor seizures, muscle weakness, spasticity cortex Temporal lobe epilepsy, anomia, aphasia, dysphasia, parosmia, anger control Thalamus neuropathic pain, numbness
A first aspect of the invention is a method of treating a disorder in a subject in need thereof, comprising (1) positioning a thermoelectric device (“TED”) in the ear canal of a subject and (ii) activating the TED sufficient to treat the disorder. Activating the thermoelectric device may comprise stimulating the vestibular system and/or at least one cranial nerve effective to treat the disorder. The disorder may include, but is not limited to, migraine headaches, asthma, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, stroke, cellular ischemia, excitotoxic brain injury, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, sensory disorders, motor disorders, and cognitive disorders.
In some embodiments, activating the TED sufficient to treat the migraine headaches comprises cooling the ear canal of the subject by about 0.5 degree to about 37 degrees Centigrade. In some embodiments, the ear canal is cooled by about 7 to about 33 degrees Centigrade, preferably about 17 to about 27 degrees Centigrade, Those skilled in the art will appreciate how to select appropriate limits on duration/magnitude of stimulus to avoid tissue damage.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a tissue stimulator or probe configured for contacting to or insertion in the body of a subject to stimulate a tissue therein. The stimulator or probe comprises (i) a support configured for contacting to or positioning adjacent a tissue of the subject, and (ii) at least one thermoelectric device (TED) on the support and positioned for thermally stimulating the tissue.
In some embodiments of the foregoing (adapted for caloric vestibular stimulation and/or stimulation of a cranial nerve), the support is configured as an ear insert so dimensioned as to be insertable into the ear canal of a wearer.
In some embodiments, the optional sleeve may comprise areas of high thermal conductivity (high-k) and areas of low thermal conductivity (low-k) such that different portions of the ear canal receive different levels of thermal stimulus (i.e., portions of the ear canal that are adjacent to a low-k area of the sleeve receive a weaker thermal stimulus than portions of the ear canal that are adjacent to a high-k area of the sleeve). In some embodiments, the optional sleeve may comprise only high-k areas or only low-k areas.
In embodiments lacking the optional sleeve, the ear insert inner portion 12 may similarly comprise high-k and low-k areas whereby portions of the ear canal may be stimulating differentially.
The optional sleeve 40 can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of any suitable elastic and/or compressible material, such as a polymer, a textile (woven or non-woven) or a composite thereof. In some embodiments the polymer comprises a hydrogel polymer, a thermally conductive resin, and/or a viscoelastic polymer (it being understood that some but not all viscoelstic polymers will be hydrogel polymers; and some but not all hydrogel polymers will be viscoelastic polymers). Numerous suitable hydrogel polymers, including biodegradable or bioerodable hydrogel polymers, and stable hydrogel polymers (e.g., silicone hydrogel polymers) are known. Examples include but are not limited to those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,213,918; 7,171,276; 7,105,588; 7,070,809; 7,060,051; and 6,960,625. Suitable viscoelastic polymers include but are not limited to those described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,217,203; 7,208,531; and 7,191,483. An ester-based viscoelastic memory foam such as used in the heating pad systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,176,419 is among those suitable for use in making sleeves of the present invention. In some embodiments, the optional sleeve 40 has a thermal conductivity of from 0.1 to 50 W/m×K; and a hardness of from 0 to 50 on the Shore A scale.
FIGS. 7-12 illustrate various transducer arrangements in devices of the present invention. While a single thermoelectric transducer 30 can be used, in some embodiments it is preferable to include at least two, three, or four (or more) separately controllable thermoelectric transducers 30a, 30b, 30e, 30d, which can be spaced apart from one another on the ear insert inner portion 12. As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the transducers can be positioned longitudinally along the insert 11; as shown in FIG. 10, the transducers 30 can be positioned laterally along the insert 11. Other positionings, such as angled positionings, and combinations of the foregoing, can also be used. Further, while the transducers are depicted as rectangular in shape, any suitable regular or irregular shape can be used.
As shown in FIG. 15, once the device is positioned within the ear canal 20 of a subject, the at least one thermoelectric transducer 30a, 30b, 30c, each of which is operatively associated with the controller by a separate lead 31a, Mb, 31c, is activated for a time and to a temperature sufficient to deliver CVS and/or cranial nerve stimulation to the subject. An adjustable or programmable control module 70 can be utilized to optimize stimulation for a particular subject, and for a particular purpose or condition. Where (as shown in FIG. 15) there are at least two separately controllable thermoelectric transducers on the ear insert inner portion spaced apart from one another, the activating step can comprise separately and selectively activating the at least two separately controllable thermoelectric transducers (e.g., by activating only one or two thereof, by heating one transducer and cooling another; by sequentially activating transducers; by activating different transducers to different degrees; combinations of some or all of the foregoing, etc.) Patterns of separate and selective activation can be preprogrammed, can be determined empirically, can be optimized by the subject or a programmer (such as a clinician) in a programming session with the subject, etc.
Interchangeable ear inserts 62 are useful to allow for a variety of modifications in keeping with the scope of this invention. For example, a single individual might require therapy with fewer or greater numbers of any active element. As noted herein, the device 10 includes the flexibility to increase or reduce the number of electrodes 64, transducers 63, or other active elements necessary to achieve a desired result. Also, the modular nature of the device shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 allows for portions or pieces of the device 10 to be replaced without replacing the whole device. An ear insert 62 might be less expensive to replace than the computerized control module. Accordingly, FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate schematically one embodiment of a modular vestibular stimulation device in which the active elements, located on either the ear insert 11 portion, or possibly a sleeve 40 as described above, are attached to an outer portion 50 via standard electrical connectors.
The devices disclosed herein can be used in pairs. Accordingly, FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of the present invention that allows significant control over treatment options in either ear or both ears. Such a configuration is useful to complete particular therapies on different sides of a patient's brain. The embodiment of FIG. 18 takes the individual stimulation devices, i.e., the ear inserts 92A, 92B, and incorporates them into a single device that can be worn as a head set assembly 100.
In certain circumstances, the head set assembly 100 is most effective if both inserts 92A, 92B have the capacity for communicating with a common control system. FIG. 19 shows this control system included in universal control enclosure 101 located at the top of the head band 96. The head set assembly 100 incorporates a communications link 98 that extends across the head band to the external housings 90A, 90B to coordinate the stimulation given by respective thermoelectric transducers 95A-D. In other embodiments, the universal control enclosure 101 may include sufficient power circuitry and controllers to reduce or eliminate the need for the external housings 90A, 90B. For optimal utility and comfort, however, the subject may prefer certain components, such as batteries, to be worn in the external enclosures positioned behind the ear or elsewhere. Overall, the embodiment of FIG. 18 allows multiple thermoelectric transducers 95A-95D to be controlled via control circuitry to provide heating, cooling, and/or electrical stimulation to nerve endings in the ear as well as the vestibular system. The heat energy is regulated by the conveniently positioned heat sink portion 97 on the head band 96.
The vestibular system and/or cranial nerve stimulation device 10 may be operational as an individualized piece of equipment worn by a single user, similar to the way a person wears a hearing aid. In different embodiments, however, the device 10 can be incorporated into a larger medical system. In one embodiment, the computerized control module 70 connects to peripheral equipment for added functionality. In a preferred embodiment, the device 10 is part of a larger therapeutic system that includes other devices for monitoring physiological parameters. Without limiting the types of peripheral equipment connecting to the device described herein, one useful peripheral sensor measures galvanic skin resistance. Skin resistance is a significant factor in estimating certain physiological and emotional changes that an individual is experiencing. When data tracking skin resistance are combined with data tracking a circadian cycle, such as the temperature cycle, the result is a broader, more holistic approach to treating an individual. Skin resistance also provides information regarding changes and phase shifts to the circadian cycle and is therefore useful as a feedback check on the effectiveness of any currently administered vestibular stimulation. Accordingly, in one aspect, the device 10, particularly the computerized control module 70, processes data gathered by peripheral devices, such as a galvanic skin resistance, and adjusts device 10 output accordingly. In line with this galvanic skin resistance model, the device is useful for practicing a method of delivering vestibular stimulation and/or cranial nerve stimulation to an individual's brain. In one embodiment, the method includes (i) arranging a thermal transducer 30 and an electrode 85 on an ear insert 11 in a position to stimulate the vestibular system and/or at least one cranial nerve of the subject, (ii) electronically connecting the transducer 30 and the electrode 85 to a controller 38, and (iii) supplying the controller 38 with galvanic skin resistance data and temperature data from the individual. Next, the device 10 activates the transducer 30 and the electrode 85 via the controller 38. The transducer regulates heat exchange within the ear canal for a time and to a temperature sufficient to deliver vestibular stimulation to the individual. Similarly, the electrode 85 provides electrical stimulation to the vestibular system according to pre-set functions within the controller 38. In combination, the controller 38, the transducer 30, and the electrode 85 deliver vestibular stimulation, wherein the vestibular stimulation is selected from caloric stimulation, electrical stimulation, and combinations of each. The method further includes the step of measuring physiological changes in the individual, wherein the physiological changes are selected from the group consisting of brain chemistry changes and blood chemistry changes. The step of measuring physiological changes can be selected from the group consisting of circadian temperature cycle time shifts, ascorbic acid production, serotonin production, histamine production, vasopressin production, acetylcholine production, and/or heat shock protein production.
Further examples of stimulators of the present invention are schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/224,668, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In some embodiments, a device of the present invention may be configured as a cochlear implant. Such an implant, or cochlear stimulator, may be configured to be inserted into the cochlea of a subject with the TEDs positioned in a linear array to stimulate a plurality of ganglion cells in the basal region of the cochlea. In such an embodiment the array can be configured so that while one TED is activated to stimulate ganglion cells with heat, adjacent TEDs are activated to cool adjacent ganglion cells, thereby inhibiting undesired activation of adjacent ganglion cells. In such an embodiment, the adjacent TEDs can advantageously be thermally coupled to one another (e.g., by direct contact to one another, and/or through a thermal or heat transfer structure, which may be the support itself and/or a separate structure such as a heat sink) so that each at least partially offsets thermal energy displaced by the other. Such a cochlear implant or stimulator can be constructed with known elements and in accordance with known designs, modified to incorporate the TEDs as described herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,484.
Once the device is positioned on or in the subject, the at least one thermoelectric transducer, each of which is operatively associated with the controller by a separate lead, is activated for a time and to a temperature sufficient to deliver CVS or nerve stimulation to the subject. An adjustable or programmable control module can be utilized to optimize stimulation for a particular subject, and for a particular purpose or condition. Where there are at least two separately controllable thermoelectric transducers on the device, the activating step can comprise separately and selectively activating the at least two separately controllable thermoelectric transducers (e.g., by activating only one or two thereof, by heating one transducer and cooling another; by sequentially activating transducers; by activating different transducers to different degrees; combinations of some or all of the foregoing, etc.). Patterns of separate and selective activation can be preprogrammed, can be determined empirically, can be optimized by the subject or a programmer (such as a clinician) in a programming session with the subject, etc.
In some embodiments, the controller is configured to generate the first and second electrical control signals to provide a temperature ramp for the temperature controlled medium.
In some embodiments, the controller is configured to generate the first and second electrical control signals to provide a cyclical temperature profile for the temperature controlled medium.
In some embodiments, where multiple TEDs are included on the probe, the device can include a power steering capability for adjusting the power, signal, and timing of signal to particular TEDs on the probe. This is advantageous when, for example, the probe includes multiple TEDs thermally coupled to one another, and one or more TEDs are used to apply heat to tissue, and one or more TEDs are concurrently used to cool tissue, so that displaced heat is offset at least in part from one device to another. Current steering can be implemented in accordance with known techniques or variations thereof that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,909,917, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Such a current steering unit or controller can include a pulse generator responsive to programming signals for generating stimulation currents; a system responsive to the programming signals for selectively applying the stimulation currents to one or more TEDs; and a current steering unit responsive to directional signals configured for steering the stimulation currents from the at least one first TED to at least one second TED. The current steering unit may optionally be configured to redistribute currents from the TEDs in a manner that is perceived as a smooth redistribution. The redistributing unit may optionally includes a formula-based algorithm means for redistributing stimulation current from one of the electrodes included within the array of devices to another of the electrodes included within the array of devices. Preferably, the redistribution unit includes programming or an algorithm to compare power or current routed to TEDs that heating tissue and TEDs in thermal contact therewith that are cooling tissue, so that heat transfer can be at least partially offset therebetween.
In some embodiments, the system can further comprise a motion detector (e.g., an accelerometer) and a signal processor operatively associated with the motion detector. The signal process is in turn operatively associated with the controller, so that the controller activates the TED as desired when a particular movement or motion is detected. For example, the signal processor can be configured to detect tremors, such as described in PCT Publication No. WO 2006/033039. In another example, the signal processor can be configured to perform a gait analysis, such as described in PCT Publication No. WO2007/088374; Lemke, J. Psychiatric Research, 34:277 (July 2000); Lee et al., Spine 32:1329 (May 2007); Neville and Boyd, J. Neurol., Neurosurg, and Psychiatry, 58:371 (1995); and Beauchet, Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 4:155 (2008). The gait analysis can be one which detects a gait associated with a particular neurological disorder and activates the TED when a gait associated with that neurological disorder is detected.
In addition to activating the TED, the motion detector can further be configured to monitor the subject for the cessation of the particular motion or gait and the controller then configured to deactivate the TED once that motion or gait has ceased.
The magnitude of the thermal stimulus delivered via TED activation will depend upon factors such as the tissue being stimulated, the volume of tissue being stimulated, the duration of the stimulus, the condition of the subject, and the particular diagnosis or treatment.
Exemplary stimulation patterns for apparatuses incorporating multiple TEDs
1. Cool Cool Cool 2. Heat Heat Heat 3. Electric current Heat 4. Electric current Cool 5. Stochastic-electric Cool 6. Stochastic-electric Heat 7. Stochastic-heat Heat 8. Stochastic-cool Cool 9. Stochastic-cool Cooling waveform 10. Stochastic-heat Heat waveforms (sinusoidal, square sawtooth) 11. Stochastic-electric Electric waveforms 12. Combinations 13. Delivery of thermal or electric stimulus via hydrogel 14. Delivery of electrical stimulus across cultured neuronal tissues
Similarly, stimulators, probes, systems and apparatuses of the present invention may be used in combination with pharmaceuticals to achieve a combined treatment effect. One skilled in the art will appreciate how to select, combine and administer such pharmaceuticals.
1. In a method of diagnosing a disorder and/or evaluating brain function in a test subject by creating an image of at least a portion of the brain of said test subject, the improvement comprising:
stimulating the test subject's vestibular system with a thermoelectric device prior to and/or concurrently with creating said image.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said image is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image, an X-ray computed tomography (CT) image, an ultrasound image, a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) image, a positron emission tomography (PET) image, an electroencephalography (EEG) image and a magnetoencephalography (MEG) image.
analyzing brain activity in one or more areas of the test subject's brain following stimulation of the test subject's vestibular system.
comparing the brain activity in one or more areas of the test subject's brain to brain activity observed in an image of a healthy control subject's brain, wherein the healthy control subject likewise received vestibular stimulation.
comparing the brain activity in one or more areas of the test subject's brain to brain activity observed in an image of the test subject's brain that was taken during a previous testing session in which the test subject's vestibular system was stimulated.
6. The method of claim 3, wherein the one or more areas of the test subject's brain is/are selected group from the group consisting of the cerebellum, the cuneus, the precuneus, the fusiform gyrus, the hippocampus, the insula cortex, the lingual gyrus, the parahippocampus, the parietal lobe, the putamen, the singular gyms, the supplementary motor cortex, the temporal lobe and the thalamus.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein stimulating the test subject's vestibular system with a thermoelectric device comprises:
positioning a thermoelectric device in the ear canal of the test subject; and
activating the thermoelectric device sufficient to stimulate the test subject's vestibular system.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein activating the thermoelectric device sufficient to stimulate the test subject's vestibular system comprises cooling the ear canal of the test subject.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the ear canal of the test subject is cooled by about 0.5 to about 37 degrees Centigrade.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the ear canal of the test subject is cooled by about 7 to about 33 degrees Centigrade.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the ear canal of the test subject is cooled by about 17 to about 27 degrees Centigrade.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein activating the thermoelectric device sufficient to stimulate the test subject's vestibular system comprises warming the ear canal of the test subject.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the ear canal of the test subject is warmed by about 0.5 to about 11 degrees Centigrade.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the ear canal of the test subject is warmed by about 0.5 to about 6.5 degrees Centigrade.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the ear canal of the test subject is warmed by about 2 to about 4 degrees Centigrade.
16. The method of claim 7, wherein activating the thermoelectric device sufficient to stimulate the test subject's vestibular system comprises:
cooling the ear canal of the test subject; and then
warming the ear canal of the test subject.
17. The method of claim 7, wherein activating the thermoelectric device sufficient to stimulate the test subject's vestibular system comprises:
warming the ear canal of the test subject; and then
cooling the ear canal of the test subject.
18. The method of claim 7, wherein activating the thermoelectric device sufficient to stimulate the test subject's vestibular system comprises cyclically activating the thermoelectric device.
19. The method of claim 7, wherein activating the thermoelectric device sufficient to stimulate the test subject's vestibular system comprises delivering thermal pulses to the ear canal of the test subject.
20. The method of claim 7, wherein activating the thermoelectric device sufficient to stimulate the test subject's vestibular system comprises cyclically altering the temperature profile of the ear canal of the test subject.
21. The method of claim 7, wherein activating the thermoelectric device sufficient to stimulate the test subject's vestibular system comprises maintaining a stable temperature profile of the ear canal of the test subject.
22. The method of claim 7, wherein activating the thermoelectric device sufficient to stimulate the test subject's vestibular system comprises providing a temperature ramp to the ear canal of the test subject.
23. The method of claim 7, wherein activating the thermoelectric device sufficient to stimulate the test subject's vestibular system comprises providing a thermal stimulus having a uniform waveform to the ear canal of the test subject.
24. The method of claim 7, wherein activating the thermoelectric device sufficient to stimulate the test subject's vestibular system comprises providing a thermal stimulus having a stochastic waveform to the ear canal of the test subject.
25. The method of claim 7, wherein activating the thermoelectric device sufficient to stimulate the test subject's vestibular system comprises providing a thermal stimulus having a randomized waveform to the ear canal of the test subject.
26. The method of claim 7, wherein activating the thermoelectric device sufficient to stimulate the test subject's vestibular system comprises stimulating at least one cranial nerve other than the vestibulocochlear nerve.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the at least one cranial nerve other than the vestibulocochlear nerve is selected from the group consisting of the vagus nerve, the trigeminal nerve and the glossopharyngeal nerve.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein the vestibular system and the at least one cranial nerve other than the vestibulocochlear nerve are stimulated concurrently.
29. The method of claim 1, wherein the test subject demonstrates one or more indicators of declining cognitive function.
30. The method of claim 1, wherein the test subject is experiencing and/or has recently experienced mental and/or physical stress as a result of prolonged mental and/or physical exertion.
31. The method of claim 1, wherein the test subject is suffering from and/or has recently suffered from a potential cardiac infarction and/or stroke.
32. The method of claim 1, wherein the test subject is suffering from and/or has recently suffered from a brain/spinal cord injury.
33. The method of claim 1, wherein the test subject is suffering from and/or has recently suffered from epilepsy.
34. The method of claim 1, wherein the test subject is suffering from and/or has recently suffered from a migraine headache.
35. The method of claim 1, wherein the test subject is suffering from and/or has recently suffered from depression and/or bipolar disorder.
36. The method of claim 1, wherein the test subject is suffering from and/or has recently suffered from a neurodegenerative disorder.
37. The method of claim 1, wherein the disorder is a sensory disorder.
38. The method of claim 1, wherein the disorder is a motor disorder.
39. The method of claim 1, wherein the disorder is a cognitive disorder.
40. The method of claim 1, wherein the disorder is a neurodegenerative disorder.
41. The method of claim 1, wherein the disorder is a mood disorder.
Publication number: 20120310077
Inventor: Lesco L. Rogers (Raleigh, NC)
Application Number: 13/586,898
Current U.S. Class: Magnetic Field Sensor (e.g., Magnetometer, Squid) (600/409); Combined With Therapeutic Or Diverse Diagnostic Device (600/411); Combined With Therapeutic Or Diagnostic Device (600/427); With Therapeutic Device (600/439); Detecting Nuclear, Electromagnetic, Or Ultrasonic Radiation (600/407)
International Classification: A61B 5/0476 (20060101); A61B 5/055 (20060101); A61B 5/00 (20060101); A61B 8/00 (20060101); A61B 6/03 (20060101); A61B 5/05 (20060101); A61B 6/00 (20060101);