Wearable, unsupervised transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device for movement disorder therapy, and method of using

摘要

The present invention relates to a system and methods for noninvasively providing therapy for movement disorder symptoms. The present invention provides such a therapy system which provides trans-cranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in order to treat those symptoms and the disorders. The present invention further provides such tDCS therapy while the subject sleeps in order to minimize the time required and impact of the therapy on the subject's waking life. The system, methods, and devices of the present invention are intended to provide a low-dose electrical current, trans-cranially, to a specific area of the subject's brain while he or she sleeps in order to decrease the occurrence, severity, and duration of the symptoms of movement disorders. The present invention aims to reduce the amount of medication necessary, counteract the effects of medication wearing off during sleep, and to overall improve the quality of life of subjects suffering from movement disorders.

主权项

1. A method of providing therapy for movement disorder symptoms comprising steps of:
providing a wearable apparatus comprising at least two surface scalp electrodes, at least one electrode for providing a low dose direct electrical current to the patient, and at least one electrode for return of the low dose direct electrical current; placing the apparatus on a subject's head and having the subject wear the apparatus during sleep; and providing a low dose direct electrical current from the at least one surface scalp electrode for providing a low dose direct electrical current across the subject's cranium to stimulate at least one area of the subject's brain at a pre-determined duty-cycle, the area of the subject's brain being stimulated corresponding to at least one symptom of a movement disorder to reduce the occurrence, severity, and/or duration of movement disorder symptoms.