초록 ▼

A neural prosthetic device for reducing or eliminating the effects of tinnitus is inserted into a tinnitus patient\s primary auditory cortex (or thalamus). The prosthetic device includes a stimulation device for outputting processed electrical signals and an electrode arranged in the primary auditor

A neural prosthetic device for reducing or eliminating the effects of tinnitus is inserted into a tinnitus patient\s primary auditory cortex (or thalamus). The prosthetic device includes a stimulation device for outputting processed electrical signals and an electrode arranged in the primary auditory cortex having a plurality of electrical contacts. Each of the plurality of electrical contacts independently outputs electrical discharges in accordance with the electrical signals. In another embodiment, a catheter is inserted into the tinnitus patient\s primary auditory cortex or thalamus. The catheter microinfuses drugs which suppress or eliminate abnormal neural activity into disperse geometric locations in the cortex or thalamus, thereby reducing or eliminating the effects of the patient\s tinnitus.

대표청구항 ▼

A neural prosthetic apparatus for treatment of a patient with tinnitus, comprising: a stimulation device for outputting one or more electrical signals; an electrode for tonotopic arrangement along the patient\s primary auditory cortex having a plurality of electrical contacts approximately uniformly

A neural prosthetic apparatus for treatment of a patient with tinnitus, comprising: a stimulation device for outputting one or more electrical signals; an electrode for tonotopic arrangement along the patient\s primary auditory cortex having a plurality of electrical contacts approximately uniformly arranged along said electrode from about 50 to about 150 micrometers apart, each of said plurality of electrical contacts independently outputting electrical discharges in accordance with said electrical signals; and, electrical coupling means for electrically coupling said electrical contacts to said stimulation device, wherein said neural prosthetic apparatus effectively alleviates the tinnitus of said patient.