Stimulation systems

• US 20060052827A1
• Filed: 09/07/2005
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated), Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford Management Co.)
• Original Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford Management Co.)
• Inventors: Imran, Mir A., Kim, Daniel H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,082,039 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1003 Spinal column
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/06 Body-piercing guide needles or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0568 with drug delivery
• 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 1/36067 Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36139 with automatic adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36171 Frequency

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia. Some other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for selective neurostimulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia as well as techniques for applying neurostimulation to the spinal cord. Still other embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia in combination with a pharmacological agent.

Claims

1. A stimulation system, comprising:

a battery;

a pulse generator separate from the battery;

an electrical connection between the battery and the pulse generator; and

a microelectrode lead connected proximally to the pulse generator and distally to a microelectrode.

2. The stimulation system according to claim 1, the pulse generator further comprising a DC-DC converter.

3. The stimulation system according to claim 1 wherein the battery, the pulse generator separate from the battery, the electrical connection, the microelectrode lead and the microelectrode are adapted to be implanted in the body.

4. The stimulation system according to claim 1 wherein the pulse generator has an overall volume of less than 200 mm³.

5. The stimulation system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a second pulse generator separate from the battery;

an electrical connection between the pulse generator and the second pulse generator; and

a second microelectrode lead connected proximally to the second pulse generator and distally to a second microelectrode.

6. The stimulation system according to claim 2 wherein the DC-DC converter is configured to provide a voltage from 0 volts to 30 volts.

7. The stimulation system according to claim 2 wherein the DC-DC converter is configured to provide a voltage from 0 volts to 40 volts.

8. The stimulation system according to claim 4 wherein at least one dimension of the pulse generator is 2 mm or less.

9. The stimulation system according to claim 4 wherein at least one dimension of the pulse generator is 10 mm or less.

10. The stimulation system according to claim 5 wherein the pulse generator and the second pulse generator are independently programmable.

11. The stimulation system according to claim 5 wherein the pulse generator and the second pulse generator are adapted to operate in a master-slave configuration.

12. The stimulation system according to claim 5 wherein the activation of the microelectrode is coordinated with the activation of the second microelectrode.

13. The stimulation system according to claim 12 wherein the microelectrode is active when the second microelectrode is active.

14. The stimulation system according to claim 12 wherein the microelectrode is inactive when the second microelectrode is active.

15. A neurostimulation component, comprising:

a body having a distal end and a proximal end and a length selected to implant the body within a targeted neural tissue;

a tip on the distal end of the body adapted to pierce through the targeted neural tissue; and

An electrode structure positioned on the body adapted to neurostimulate only the targeted neural tissue.

16. A neurostimulation component according to claim 15 further comprising an anchor on the distal end of the body and proximal to the tip.

17. A neurostimulation component according to claim 15 further comprising a securing ring adapted to engage the distal end of the body.

18. A neurostimulation component according to claim 15 further comprising a perfusion port within the body proximal to the distal tip.