System and method for electrical stimulation of the intervertebral disc

• US 20040116977A1
• Filed: 12/13/2002
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Finch, Philip M., Drees, Scott F., Erickson, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,069,083 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain

Abstract

A method for electrically stimulating an area in a spinal disc is presented. The method comprises implanting a lead with one or more electrodes in a placement site in or adjacent to one or more discs at any spinal level from cervical through lumbar, connecting the lead to a signal generator, and generating electrical stimulation pulses using the generator to stimulate targeted portions of the disc. Additionally, a system for relieving pain associated with a spinal disc is presented that comprises a lead with one or more electrodes, an introducer for introducing the lead to a placement site in or adjacent to the disc, a removable stylet for guiding the lead to the placement site in the disc, and a generator connected to the lead for generating electrical pulses to the lead for stimulating the disc.

Claims

1. An apparatus for relieving pain associated with a spinal disc, comprising:

a lead insertable at a placement site for stimulating the spinal disc, the lead containing one or more electrodes; and

a generator in communication with the lead, for sending electrical pulses to the electrodes to stimulate an area of the disc.

2. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the placement site is in the annulus of the disc.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the placement site is in the nucleus of the disc.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the placement site is adjacent to the disc.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the placement site is near the interface between the disc and the annulus.

6. The apparatus in claim 1, further comprising an anchoring stylet that anchors the lead in the placement site.

7. The apparatus in claim 1 further comprising:

an anchoring device; and

a releasing device to implement the elastic memory so that the anchoring device secures the lead to the placement site.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the anchoring device comprises at least one of the following:

a material that is endowed with elastic memory, an inflatable balloon, or surgical fixation device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lead is a steerable lead.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an introducer to introduce the lead to the placement site.

11. A method for electrically stimulating an area in a spinal disc comprising:

implanting a lead at a placement site for stimulating a spinal disc, the lead containing one or more electrodes;

connecting the lead to a signal generator; and

generating electrical stimulation pulses using the generator to stimulate targeted portions of the disc.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

inserting an introducer to introduce the lead to the placement site; and

steering the lead to the placement site.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising anchoring the lead at the placement site using a stylet.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the placement site is in the annulus of the disc.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the placement site is the nucleus of the disc.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the placement site is between the nucleus and the annulus.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the placement site is adjacent to the disc.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the lead is a trial lead.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

determining whether placement site of the trial lead reduces disc pain;

adjusting at least one of the following to optimize pain reduction in the disc;

placement site, pulse characteristics, or electrode usage; and

replacing the trial lead with a permanent lead.

20. A system for relieving pain associated with a spinal disc, comprising:

a lead with one or more electrodes for stimulating a disc;

an introducer for introducing the lead to a placement site to stimulate the disc;

a removable stylet for guiding the lead to the placement site in the disc; and

a generator connected to the lead for generating electrical pulses to the lead for stimulating the disc.

21. The system in claim 20, wherein the placement site is the annulus of the disc.

22. The system in claim 20, wherein the placement site is the nucleus of the disc.

23. The system in claim 20, wherein the placement site is between the nucleus and the annulus of the disc.

24. The system in claim 20, wherein the placement site is adjacent to the disc.

25. The system in claim 20 further comprising a locking device for securing the lead to the placement site.

26. The system in claim 20 further comprising:

a locking device made of material that is endowed with elastic memory; and

a releasing device to implement the elastic memory so that the locking device secures the lead to the placement site.

27. A system for introducing a lead in a placement site in a disc comprising:

an introducer where the introducer has a curved tip;

a lead insertable through the introducer;

a connector located on the lead for connecting the lead to a generator; and

a lead anchor for anchoring the lead in the placement site.