Neurological Treatment System

Abstract

A neurological treatment apparatus includes a first endovascular device comprising a plurality of first electrodes extending along a first length in a distal portion of the first device, the distal portion of the first device being configured for endoluminal navigation into cerebral vasculature, and a second endovascular device comprising a plurality of second electrodes extending along a second length in a distal portion of the second device, configured for endoluminal navigation into the cerebral vasculature, such that electrostimulative current may be passed between the first and second electrodes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 inserting a first endovascular device within a first cerebral blood vessel, the first endovascular device comprising a plurality of first electrodes extending along a first length in a distal portion of the first device;   inserting a second endovascular device within a second cerebral blood vessel, the second endovascular device comprising plurality of second electrodes extending along a second length in a distal portion of the second device;   passing electrical currents along a plurality of pathways between the first electrodes and the second electrodes, wherein at least a portion of the pathways pass through at least one of the hippocampus or dentate gyms.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the second endovascular device comprises placing the second electrodes on a side of the hippocampus or dentate gyms opposite the first electrodes. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein passing electrical currents comprises passing said currents between a plurality of said first electrodes and a plurality of said second electrodes. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said currents comprise neurostimulative currents. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first endovascular device comprising a plurality of first electrodes extending along a first length in a distal portion of the first device, the distal portion of the first device being configured for endoluminal navigation into cerebral vasculature;   a second endovascular device comprising a plurality of second electrodes extending along a second length in a distal portion of the second device, the distal portion of the second device being configured for endoluminal navigation into cerebral vasculature;   a power source in electrical communication with the first electrodes and the second electrodes;   a controller in communication with the power source; and   a machine-readable medium comprising instructions executable by the controller to operate the power source so as to establish a network of neurostimulation current pathways between the first electrodes and the second electrodes.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein:
 one of said endovascular devices comprises a proximally located electrode;   the other of said endovascular devices comprises a distally located electrode; and   said network includes at least one neurostimulation current pathway between said proximally located electrode and said distally located electrode.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said network comprises first neurostimulation pathways that extend mainly or only laterally, and second neurostimulation pathways that extend both laterally and longitudinally. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said algorithm is executable by the controller to operate the power source so as to pass neurostimulative electrical current along said current pathways. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said electrical current is configured to regenerate neurocytes in the tissue through which said network passes. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first endovascular device comprising a plurality of first electrodes extending along a first length in a distal portion of the first device, the distal portion of the first device being configured for endoluminal navigation into cerebral vasculature;   a second endovascular device comprising a plurality of second electrodes extending along a second length in a distal portion of the second device, the distal portion of the second device being configured for endoluminal navigation into the cerebral vasculature; and   means for passing electrostimulative current between the first electrodes and the second electrodes.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said means further comprises means for establishing a network of neurostimulation current pathways between the first electrodes and the second electrodes. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said network comprises first neurostimulation pathways that extend mainly or only laterally, and second neurostimulation pathways that extend both laterally and longitudinally. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said means comprises a controller and program instructions accessible by said controller. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said means is configured for at least one of:
 regenerating cerebral neurocytes;   inhibiting or reversing the formation of neurofibrillary tangles;   inhibiting or reversing the formation of amyloid plaques;   inhibiting or reversing the attachment of amyloid plaques to neurocytes;   inhibiting the cellular apoptosis cascade associated with ischemic stroke; or   increasing rate and volume of pharmacologic agent delivery.   
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 providing a first treatment to increase blood flow downstream of an obstruction at an obstruction location within a blood vessel of a patient;   inserting a first endovascular device downstream of the obstruction location, the first endovascular device comprising a plurality of first electrodes extending along a first length in a distal portion of the first device;   inserting a second endovascular device downstream of the obstruction location, the second endovascular device comprising plurality of second electrodes extending along a second length in a distal portion of the second device;   passing electrical currents along a plurality of pathways between the first electrodes and the second electrodes, wherein at least a portion of the pathways pass through a region of brain tissue affected by the obstruction.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first treatment comprises mechanically removing, lysine, breaking up, or aspirating the obstruction. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first treatment comprises administering a blood thinner to the patient. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein inserting the first endovascular device comprises inserting the first endovascular device into a first blood vessel downstream of the obstruction location. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein inserting the second endovascular device comprises inserting the second endovascular device into a second blood vessel, different from the first blood vessel, downstream of the obstruction location. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the region of brain tissue affected by the obstruction comprises an infarction.