Wireless Controlled Neuromodulation System

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for controlled neuromodulation. The apparatus includes a plurality of neural sensors, wherein each of the neural sensors is electrically connected to a separate signal conditioner. Each of the signal conditioners produces a neural sensor signal, which is analyzed by a separate threshold detector to produces a neural event signal when the neural sensor signal exceeds a threshold level associated with the threshold detector. Each of the threshold detectors is connected to a wireless transceiver and the wireless transceivers transmit the neural event signals to a processor. The processor analyzes the neural event signals and determines the presence or absence of a clinical brain state. The apparatus can be used to detect and control epileptic seizures.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for monitoring neural signals, comprising:
 placing an electrode in the vicinity of a neuron to be monitored;   measuring a voltage signal created at the electrode by the neuron to be monitored; and   detecting when the voltage signal reaches a neural action threshold.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising storing a record of when the voltage signal reached a neural action threshold. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising amplifying the voltage signal. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the voltage signal is amplified by at least one amplifier selected from the group consisting of a buffer amplifier and a software programmable gain amplifier. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising filtering the voltage signal. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising converting the voltage signal from an analog signal to a digital signal. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising wirelessly transmitting data indicative of the voltage signal to a control processor. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the data comprises a timestamp of when the voltage signal reached a neural action threshold. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the timestamp indicates when an action potential was fired in the neuron. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising analyzing the neural signals to determine if a clinical state exists or is imminent. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising predicting the onset of an epileptic seizure. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising initiating a signal to a stimulation unit when a clinical state exists or is imminent. 
     
     
         28 . A method for monitoring neural activity within the brain of a subject, comprising:
 placing a plurality of electrodes within the brain, wherein each electrode is in the vicinity of at least one neuron to be monitored;   measuring a voltage signal created by the at least one neuron at each of the plurality of electrodes; and   detecting when each voltage signal reaches a neural action threshold.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising storing a record of when each voltage signal reached a neural action threshold. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising amplifying at least one voltage signal 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the at least one voltage signal is amplified by at least one amplifier selected from the group consisting of a buffer amplifier and a software programmable gain amplifier. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising filtering at least one voltage signal. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising converting at least one voltage signal from an analog signal to a digital signal. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising wirelessly transmitting data indicative of the at least one voltage signal to a control processor. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the data comprises a timestamp of when the at least one voltage signal reached a neural action threshold. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the timestamp indicates when an action potential was fired in the at least one neuron.