Implantable ultrasound generating treating device for brain treatment, apparatus comprising such device and method implementing such device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and an implantable ultrasound generating treating device and to induce brain disorder treatment, suitable for implantation in or under the skull bone of a patient, and comprising several ultrasound generating transducers ( 20 ) which are connectable by a common electrical connection circuit to a generator, and wherein the ultrasound generating transducers ( 20 ) each have one or several operating frequencies. characterized in that the transducers comprise at least: characterized in that the group of transducers consists of several transducers driven by a same electrical drive signal, and connected to the generator system by a common electrical connection circuit, where the electric drive signal serves both as power signal and as a control signal for operating selectively, within said group, at least one or the other of a first transducer or sub-group of transducers, and of a second transducer or sub-group of transducers.

1 - 59 . (canceled) 
     
     
         60 . Implantable ultrasound generating treating device to induce brain disorder treatment by emission of ultrasound waves, wherein the implantable ultrasound generating treating device is suitable for implantation in or under the skull bone of a patient, wherein the implantable ultrasound generating treating device ( 12 ) comprises an ultrasound emitting grid having several ultrasound generating transducers ( 20 ,  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c ) held by a common holder ( 22 ) extending along a surface of extension, characterized in that the ultrasound emitting grid is flexible. 
     
     
         61 . Implantable device according to  claim 60 , characterized in that the holder ( 22 ) comprises a unitary body of flexible material holding the ultrasound generating transducers. 
     
     
         62 . Implantable device according to  claim 61 , characterized in that the unitary body of flexible material exhibits several holding zones ( 23   a ) on each of which are held one or several ultrasound generating transducers ( 20 ), and, between the holding zones, the unitary body exhibits flexing zones ( 23   b ). 
     
     
         63 . Implantable device according to  claim 62 , characterized in that the flexing zones comprise portions of reduced thickness of the unitary holder. 
     
     
         64 . Implantable device according to  claim 60 , characterized in that the holder ( 22 ) is non-unitary and comprises several rigid holding portions ( 25   a ), on each of which one or several ultrasound generating transducers are held, and the rigid holding portions are connected by articulation portions ( 25   b ). 
     
     
         65 . Implantable device according to  claim 64 , characterized in that at least two distinct rigid portions ( 25   a ) hold each respectively one of at least two distinct ultrasound generating transducers ( 20 ). 
     
     
         66 . Implantable device according to  claim 65 , characterized in that the articulation portions are made with a mechanical connection, such as a pivot or ball joint connection, or form a flexing portion. 
     
     
         67 . Implantable device according to  claim 60 , characterized in that
 the holder exhibits several holding zones ( 23   a ) on each of which are held one or several ultrasound generating transducers ( 20 ), and, between the holding zones, the holder exhibits flexing zones ( 23   b );   the holder has a contour and has voids within the contour, between the holding zones and the flexing zones.   
     
     
         68 . Implantable device according to  claim 67 , characterized in that.
 the holder comprises a unitary body of flexible material holding the ultrasound generating transducers;   the unitary body of flexible material exhibits several holding zones ( 23   a ) on each of which are held one or several ultrasound generating transducers ( 20 ), and, between the holding zones, the unitary body exhibits flexing zones ( 23   b );   the holder has a contour and has voids within the contour, between the holding zones and the flexing zones.   
     
     
         69 . Implantable device according to  claim 68 , characterized in that the flexing zones comprise portions of reduced thickness of the unitary holder. 
     
     
         70 . Implantable device according to  claim 67 , characterized in that holding zones which hold the transducers are linked to each other by flexible arm portions, voids being delimited between such flexible arm portions. 
     
     
         71 . Implantable device according to  claim 60 , characterized in that
 the holder exhibits several holding zones ( 23   a ) on each of which are held one or several ultrasound generating transducers ( 20 ), and, between the holding zones, the holder exhibits flexing zones ( 23   b );   the holder exhibits differing flexibilities respectively around a first flexing axis and around a second flexing axis tangent to the surface of extension of the holder, said first and second flexing axis forming an acute angle of at least 30°.   
     
     
         72 . Implantable device according to  claim 71 , characterized in that the holder comprises:
 a first flexing zone extending along a first direction, perpendicular to the first flexing axis, from a given holding zone to a first adjacent holding zone;   a second flexing zone extending along a second direction, perpendicular to the second flexing axis, from said given holding zone to a second adjacent holding zone distinct from the first adjacent holding zone,   
       and in that the first and second zones exhibit differing flexibilities respectively around the first flexing axis and around the second flexing axis. 
     
     
         73 . Implantable device according to  claim 60 , characterized in that the holder exhibits:
 a lower surface intended to be installed facing the brain   an upper surface opposite the lower surface   a bevelled contour edge forming a bevel turning away from the upper surface.   
     
     
         74 . Implantable device according to  claim 60 , characterized in that the ultrasonic transducers ( 20 ) are sealed inside the holder ( 22 ) in a watertight manner. 
     
     
         75 . Implantable device according to  claim 60 , characterized in that the holder ( 22 ) and/or the ultrasound emitting grid is conformable. 
     
     
         76 . Implantable device according to  claim 60 , characterized in that the holder ( 22 ) and the ultrasound emitting grid are manually deformable between at least a first spatial configuration to at least a second spatial configuration. 
     
     
         77 . Apparatus for the treatment of brain disorders, comprising:
 an implantable ultrasound generating treating device to induce brain disorder treatment by emission of ultrasound waves, wherein the implantable ultrasound generating treating device is suitable for implantation in or under the skull bone of a patient, wherein the implantable ultrasound generating treating device comprises an ultrasound emitting grid having several ultrasound generating transducers held by a common holder extending along a surface of extension, wherein the implantable ultrasound generating device comprises at least one group of several ultrasound generating transducers which are connectable by a common electrical connection circuit to a generator delivering electric drive signals driving the generation of ultrasound from the transducers, wherein the ultrasound generating transducers each have one or several operating frequencies,   a generator to supply electricity to the implantable ultrasound generating treating device,   
       wherein the ultrasound generating transducers within the group of transducers are connected to the common electrical connection circuit through an implantable switch which is connected, upstream, to the common electrical connection circuit and, downstream, separately to several distinct sub-groups of one or several ultrasound generating transducers. 
     
     
         78 . An apparatus according to  claim 77 , wherein the implantable switch selectively connects in a sequence the common electrical connection circuit to one at a time of said several distinct sub-groups of one or several ultrasound generating transducers. 
     
     
         79 . Apparatus for the treatment of brain disorders, comprising an implantable device according to  claim 60  and a generator to supply electricity to the implantable ultrasound generating treating device. 
     
     
         80 . A method for treating brain disorders with an apparatus according to  claim 77 , characterized in that it comprises the steps of:
 performing at least one opening ( 3 ) into the skull ( 1 ) of a patient,   implanting through said opening an implantable ultrasound generating treating device ( 12 ),   surgically closing the skin,   connecting to the implantable ultrasound generating treating device ( 12 ) to the generator system ( 10 ),   activating the generator system ( 10 ) for supplying power to said implantable ultrasound generating treating device ( 12 ) and thereby inducing ultrasound wave emission into the brain ( 2 ),   treating an area of the brain located beneath the implantable ultrasound generating treating device ( 12 ) by ultrasound waves emission into the brain during a determined period, and   deactivating the generator system ( 10 ) when treatment is complete.