ANDREW DAVID FIRLIK
Medical Practice in Ridgefield, CT

2003009, May 22, 2003

Nov 12, 2002

10/293409

Andrew Firlik - Ridgefield CT, US
Jeffrey Balzer - Allison Park PA, US
Bradford Gliner - Sammamish WA, US
Alan Levy - Bellevue WA, US
Carlton Morgan - Bainbridge Island WA, US

A61N001/18

607/072000, 607/048000, 607/045000

The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for intracranial electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. Several embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention are directed toward enhancing or otherwise inducing a lasting change in neural activity to effectuate a particular neural-function. Such lasting change in neural activity is defined as “neuroplasticity.” The methods in accordance with the invention can be used to treat brain damage (e.g., stroke, trauma, etc.), brain disease (e.g., Alzheimer's, Pick's, Parkinson's, etc.), and/or brain disorders (e.g., epilepsy, depression, etc.). The methods in accordance with the invention can also be used to enhance neural-function of normal, healthy brains (e.g., learning, memory, etc.), or to control sensory functions (e.g., pain). Certain embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention electrically stimulate the brain at a stimulation site where neuroplasticity is occurring. The stimulation site may be different than the region in the brain where neural activity is typically present to perform the particular neural function according to the functional organization of the brain. In one embodiment in which neuroplasticity related to the neural-function occurs in the brain, the method can include identifying the location where such neuroplasticity is present. In an alternative embodiment in which neuroplasticity is not occurring in the brain, an alternative aspect is to induce neuroplasticity at a stimulation site where it is expected to occur. Several embodiments of these methods that are expected to produce a lasting effect on the intended neural activity at the stimulation site use electrical pulses that increase the resting membrane potential of neurons at the stimulation site to a subthreshold level.

2002008, Jul 4, 2002

Mar 8, 2001

09/802808

Andrew Firlik - Ridgefield CT, US
Jeffrey Balzer - Allison Park PA, US
Bradford Gliner - Sammamish WA, US
Alan Levy - Bellevue WA, US
Carlton Morgan - Bainbridge Island WA, US

A61N001/36

607/045000

The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for intracranial electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. Several embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention are directed toward enhancing or otherwise inducing a lasting change in neural activity to effectuate a particular neural-function. Such lasting change in neural activity is defined as “neuroplasticity.” The methods in accordance with the invention can be used to treat brain damage (e.g., stroke, trauma, etc.), brain disease (e.g., Alzheimer's, Pick's, Parkinson's, etc.), and/or brain disorders (e.g., epilepsy, depression, etc.). The methods in accordance with the invention can also be used to enhance neural-function of normal, healthy brains (e.g., learning, memory, etc.), or to control sensory functions (e.g., pain). Certain embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention electrically stimulate the brain at a stimulation site where neuroplasticity is occurring. The stimulation site may be different than the region in the brain where neural activity is typically present to perform the particular neural function according to the functional organization of the brain. In one embodiment in which neuroplasticity related to the neural-function occurs in the brain, the method can include identifying the location where such neuroplasticity is present. In an alternative embodiment in which neuroplasticity is not occurring in the brain, an alternative aspect is to induce neuroplasticity at a stimulation site where it is expected to occur. Several embodiments of these methods that are expected to produce a lasting effect on the intended neural activity at the stimulation site use electrical pulses that increase the resting membrane potential of neurons at the stimulation site to a subthreshold level.

2005002, Jan 27, 2005

Aug 6, 2004

10/912815

Andrew Firlik - Ridgefield CT, US
Alan Levy - Bellevue WA, US
Bradford Gliner - Sammamish WA, US

A61N001/18

607045000

The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for intracranial electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. Several embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention are directed toward enhancing or otherwise inducing a lasting change in neural activity to effectuate a particular neural-function. Such lasting change in neural activity is defined as “neuroplasticity.” The methods in accordance with the invention can be used to treat brain damage (e.g., stroke, trauma, etc.), brain disease (e.g., Alzheimer's, Pick's, Parkinson's, etc.), and/or brain disorders (e.g., epilepsy, depression, etc.). The methods in accordance with the invention can also be used to enhance neural-function of normal, healthy brains (e.g., learning, memory, etc.), or to control sensory functions (e.g., pain). Certain embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention electrically stimulate the brain at a stimulation site where neuroplasticity is occurring. The stimulation site may be different than the region in the brain where neural activity is typically present to perform the particular neural function according to the functional organization of the brain. In one embodiment in which neuroplasticity related to the neural-function occurs in the brain, the method can include identifying the location where such neuroplasticity is present. In an alternative embodiment in which neuroplasticity is not occurring in the brain, an alternative aspect is to induce neuroplasticity at a stimulation site where it is expected to occur. Several embodiments of these methods that are expected to produce a lasting effect on the intended neural activity at the stimulation site use electrical pulses that increase the resting membrane potential of neurons at the stimulation site to a subthreshold level.

2003008, May 8, 2003

Sep 30, 2002

10/261116

Bradford Gliner - Sammamish WA, US
Alan Levy - Bellevue WA, US
Jeffrey Blazer - Allison Park PA, US
Andrew Firlik - Ridgefield CT, US
W. Sheffield - Loveland OH, US

Vertis Neuroscience, Inc.

A61N001/18

607/003000

The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for stimulating cells implanted in the regions of nervous system, such as the brain, spinal cord or peripheral nerves. Accordingly, the functionality of the cells can be improved, for example, by differentiating undifferentiated or partially undifferentiated cells into neurons or other cells having action potentials. The method can also include promoting directional growth and connectivity of fully differentiated neural cells implanted in a patient's nervous system through electrical enhancement, for example, electrical stimulation via an anode and cathode. Methods in accordance with the invention can be used to treat brain damage (e.g., stroke, trauma, etc.), brain disease (e.g., Alzheimer's, Pick's, Parkinson's, etc.), and/or brain disorders (e.g., epilepsy, depression, etc.). The methods in accordance with the invention can also be used to enhance neural-function of normal, healthy brains (e.g., learning, memory, etc.), or to control sensory functions (e.g., pain).

2003007, Apr 24, 2003

Sep 30, 2002

10/260699

Andrew Firlik - Ridgefield CT, US
Alan Levy - Bellevue WA, US
Bradford Gliner - Sammamish WA, US

A61N001/18

607/046000

Some embodiments of the invention provide electrical therapy by delivering electrical pulses through at least one (and in some embodiments two or more) subcutaneously implanted electrode to stimulate one or more target nerves in a selected volume of tissue. Unlike conventional peripheral nerve stimulation or spinal column stimulation, there is no need to position the electrodes in direct contact with a specific nerve or the spinal column. Instead, the electrode can be implanted at an indeterminate distance from the target nerve. Other embodiments provide implantable neurostimulators with a pair of electrodes which can be connected to a common pulse system. Each electrodes may include two or more contacts spaced 3 cm or more from one another and the electrodes are implantable at distances of 5 cm or more apart. The common pulse system may also be implantable.

8412335, Apr 2, 2013

Jun 4, 2012

13/487472

Bradford Evan Gliner - Sammamish WA, US
Jeffrey Balzer - Allison Park PA, US
Andrew D. Firlik - Ridgefield CT, US

Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. - Plano TX

A61N 1/36

607 45, 607 46

System and method for automatically optimizing the stimulus parameters and/or the configuration of electrodes to provide neural stimulation to a patient, the system includes an electrode array having a support member configured to be implanted into the patient and a plurality of therapy electrodes carried by the support member. The system can also have a pulse system operatively coupled to the therapy electrodes to deliver a stimulus to the therapy electrodes, and a sensing device configured to be attached to a sensing location of the patient. The sensing device generates response signals in response to the stimulus. The system can also include a controller that generates command signals that define the stimulus delivered by the pulse system, evaluates the response signals from the sensing device, and determines a desired configuration for the therapy electrodes and/or a desired stimulus to be delivered to the therapy electrodes.

8195300, Jun 5, 2012

May 5, 2011

13/101306

Bradford Evan Gliner - Sammamish WA, US
Jeffrey Balzer - Allison Park PA, US
Andrew D. Firlik - Ridgefield CT, US

Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. - Plano TX

A61N 1/36

607 45, 607 46

Methods and devices for automatically optimizing the stimulus parameters and/or the configuration of electrodes to provide neural stimulation to a patient. In one embodiment, a system includes an electrode array having an implantable support member configured to be implanted into the patient and a plurality of therapy electrodes carried by the support member. The system can also have a pulse system operatively coupled to the therapy electrodes to deliver a stimulus to the therapy electrodes, and a sensing device configured to be attached to a sensing location of the patient. The sensing device generates response signals in response to the stimulus. The system can also include a controller operatively coupled to the pulse system and to the sensing device. The controller includes a computer operable medium that generates command signals that define the stimulus delivered by the pulse system, evaluates the response signals from the sensing device, and determines a desired configuration for the therapy electrodes and/or a desired stimulus to be delivered to the therapy electrodes.

8121695, Feb 21, 2012

Nov 16, 2009

12/619188

Bradford Evan Gliner - Sammamish WA, US
Jeffrey Balzer - Allison Park PA, US
Andrew D Firlik - Ridgefield CT, US

Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. - Plano TX

A61N 1/00

607 45

Test procedures for determining a neural stimulation threshold of a patient. In one embodiment, the procedure includes applying a test stimulation signal to the patient and monitoring the patient for a response to the test stimulation signal. The procedure can further include determining a first neural stimulation threshold and calculating a second neural stimulation threshold. The first neural stimulation threshold corresponds to the lowest intensity test stimulation signal that evokes a patient response. The second neural stimulation threshold corresponds to a treatment stimulation signal directed toward affecting a neural activity within the patient.

2004015, Aug 12, 2004

Oct 15, 2001

09/978134

Bradford Gliner - Sammamish WA, US
Jeffrey Balzer - Allison Park PA, US
Andrew Firlik - Ridgefield CT, US

A61N001/18

607/048000

Methods and devices for automatically optimizing the stimulus parameters and/or the configuration of electrodes to provide neural stimulation to a patient. In one embodiment, a system includes an electrode array having an implantable support member configured to be implanted into a patient and a plurality of therapy electrodes carried by the support member. The system can also have a pulse system operatively coupled to the therapy electrodes to deliver a stimulus to the therapy electrodes, and a sensing device configured to be attached to a sensing location of the patient. The sensing device generates response signals in response to the stimulus. The system can also include a controller operatively coupled to the pulse system and to the sensing device. The controller includes a computer operable medium that generates command signals that define the stimulus delivered by the pulse system, evaluates the response signals from the sensing device, and determines a desired configuration for the therapy electrodes and/or a desired stimulus to be delivered to the therapy electrodes.