Methods and apparatus for effectuating a lasting change in a neural-function of a patient

Abstract

The present disclosure suggests methods of selecting a stimulation site for stimulating a patient's brain or methods of effectuating a neural-function of a patient associated with an impaired body function. In one exemplary implementation, such a neural function may be effectuated by selecting a stimulation site, positioning at least a first electrode at the stimulation site, and applying an electrical potential to pass a current through the first electrode. If one aspect, this stimulation site may be selected by a) identifying a second body function that is a corollary to the impaired body function, and b) determining a corollary location of the patient's brain that is associated with the second body function and is ipsilateral to the impaired body function.

1 - 32 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         33 . A method for effectuating a neural function related to a body part affected by a stroke, comprising: 
 identifying an ipsilateral hemisphere in the brain relative to the affected body part;    implanting an electrode at a cortical stimulation site selected to promote the neural function related to the affected body part, the cortical stimulation site being at least proximate to the cortex in the ipsilateral hemisphere of the brain; and    applying an ipsilateral electrical stimulation to the cortical stimulation site.    
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising applying a contralateral electrical stimulation to a stimulation site at least proximate to the cortex in a contralateral hemisphere of the brain.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and the contralateral electrical stimulation are applied concurrently.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and the contralateral electrical stimulation are applied sequentially.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and contralateral electrical stimulation have different frequencies.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising performing an adjunctive therapy related to the affected body part.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the adjunctive therapy comprises moving the affected body part.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the adjunctive therapy comprises electrically stimulating the affected body part.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising applying a contralateral electrical stimulation to a stimulation site at least proximate to the cortex in a contralateral hemisphere of the brain.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and the contralateral electrical stimulation are applied concurrently.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and the contralateral electrical stimulation are applied sequentially.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and contralateral electrical stimulation have different frequencies.  
     
     
         45 . A method for effectuating a neural function related to a body part affected by a stroke, comprising: 
 positioning an electrode at a cortical stimulation site selected to promote the neural function related to the affected body part, the cortical stimulation site being at least proximate to the cortex in an ipsilateral hemisphere of the brain relative to the affected body part; and    applying an ipsilateral electrical stimulation to the cortical stimulation site.    
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising applying a contralateral electrical stimulation to a stimulation site at least proximate to the cortex in a contralateral hemisphere of the brain.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and the contralateral electrical stimulation are applied concurrently.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and the contralateral electrical stimulation are applied sequentially.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and contralateral electrical stimulation have different frequencies.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising performing an adjunctive therapy related to the affected body part.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the adjunctive therapy comprises moving the affected body part.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the adjunctive therapy comprises electrically stimulating the affected body part.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising applying a contralateral electrical stimulation to a stimulation site at least proximate to the cortex in a contralateral hemisphere of the brain.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and the contralateral electrical stimulation are applied concurrently.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and the contralateral electrical stimulation are applied sequentially.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and contralateral electrical stimulation have different frequencies.