Neurostimulation system

• US 20060052836A1
• Filed: 09/07/2005
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 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.
• Application Number:
  US11/221,576
• Publication Number:
  US 20060052836A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/48
• 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 neurostimulation 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 neurostimulation systems adapted for selective neurostimulation of one or more nerve 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 neurostimulation system, comprising:

an electrode adapted for stimulation of only a nerve root ganglion;

a signal generator coupled to the electrode; and

a controller to control the output of the signal generator.

2. The neurostimulation system of claim 1 wherein the controller activates the signal generator using a preset program.

3. The neurostimulation system according to claim 1 wherein the controller activates the signal generator using a dynamic program selected based on an input.

4. The neurostimulation system according to claim 3 wherein the input is provided from a sensor monitoring a parameter in the body.

5. The neurostimulation system according to claim 3 where in the input is provided by a person being stimulated by the electrode.

6. The neurostimulation system according to claim 5 wherein the input is selected from a plurality of predetermined programs selected by a physician.

7. The neurostimulation system according to claim 6 wherein the input is selected from a plurality of predetermined programs selected by a person being stimulated by the electrode.

8. The neurostimulation system according to claim 3 wherein one of the predetermined programs is no stimulation.

9. The neurostimulation system according to claim 3 wherein the input is provided by a physician.

10. The neurostimulation system according to claim 1 wherein the electrode further comprises a pharmacologically active coating.

11. The neurostimulation system according to claim 10 wherein the pharmacologically active coating comprises an anti-inflammatory agent.

12. The neurostimulation system according to claim 10 wherein a pharmacologically active coating comprises an opiate.

13. The neurostimulation system according to claim 10 wherein the pharmacologically active coating comprises a suitable pharmacological agent to prevent pathological pain changes after surgery.

14. The neurostimulation system according to claim 10 wherein the pharmacologically active coating comprises a COX inhibitor.

15. The neurostimulation system according to claim 10 wherein the pharmacologically active coating comprises a PGE2 inhibitor.

16. The neurostimulation system according to claim 1 wherein the electrode has an active electrode area of less than 10 mm².

17. The neurostimulation system according to claim 1 wherein the electrode has an active electrode area of less than 5 mm².

18. The neurostimulation system according to claim 1 wherein the electrode has an active electrode area of less than 1.5 mm².

19. The neurostimulation system according to claim 1 wherein the electrode has an active electrode area of less than 1 mm².

20. The neurostimulation system according to claim 3 wherein the input is provided by an accelerometer coupled to the person being stimulated by the system.