Methods for using an implantable device for patient communication

Abstract

An implantable device incorporating an acoustic transducer allows information and alerts to be communicated from the device to a patient. Sounds, including but not limited to buzzes, tones, sequences of tones, combinations of tones, complex sounds, and segments of reproduced or simulated human speech, are transmitted from an intracranially implanted portion of the device via bone conduction to the patient's ears, particularly the inner ears. In the disclosed embodiment, the acoustic transducer is used in cooperation with an implantable closed-loop system for the treatment of certain neurological disorders such as epilepsy, migraine headaches and Parkinson's disease, to warn the patient of an imminent seizure or other episode, to provide information to the patient on the state of the implantable apparatus, and to provide reminders and other information to the patient.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for providing responsive treatment to a patient having a neurological disease or disorder, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving neurological data from a sensor;    identifying a neurological event by processing the neurological data with an implanted control module;    generating an acoustic signal in response to the neurological condition; and    transmitting the acoustic signal to an ear of the patient.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of electrically stimulating the patient after generating the acoustic signal.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of electrically stimulating the patient while generating the acoustic signal.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the neurological event is an epileptic seizure, a precursor to an epileptic seizure, a Parkinson's tremor, a precursor to a Parkinson's tremor, a migraine headache, a precursor to a migraine headache, or depression.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the neurological data comprises an EEG signal.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the generating step uses an acoustic transducer.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the acoustic transducer is implanted in a cranium of the patient.