Modular stimulator for treatment of back pain, implantable RF ablation system and methods of use
First Claim
1. A method to alleviate back pain, the method comprising:
- placing at least two electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode within a lower back of a human such that the first and second electrodes are implanted adjacent to tissue associated with at least one muscle supporting stability of the human'"'"'s spine;
electrically stimulating, via the first electrode, efferent nervous tissue associated with the at least one muscle to cause contraction of the at least one muscle to facilitate rehabilitation; and
electrically stimulating, via the second electrode, afferent nervous tissue associated with the at least one muscle to block pain signals resulting from electrically stimulating the efferent nervous tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for treating back pain are provided, in which an implantable stimulator is configured to communicate with an external control system, the implantable stimulator providing a neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy designed to cause muscle contraction to rehabilitate the muscle, restore neural drive and restore spinal stability; the implantable stimulator further including one or more of a number of additional therapeutic modalities, including a module that provides analgesic stimulation; a module that monitors muscle performance and adjusts the muscle stimulation regime; and/or a module that provides longer term pain relief by selectively and repeatedly ablating nerve fibers. In an alternative embodiment, a standalone implantable RF ablation system is described.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method to alleviate back pain, the method comprising:
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placing at least two electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode within a lower back of a human such that the first and second electrodes are implanted adjacent to tissue associated with at least one muscle supporting stability of the human'"'"'s spine; electrically stimulating, via the first electrode, efferent nervous tissue associated with the at least one muscle to cause contraction of the at least one muscle to facilitate rehabilitation; and electrically stimulating, via the second electrode, afferent nervous tissue associated with the at least one muscle to block pain signals resulting from electrically stimulating the efferent nervous tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification