Methods and systems for modulating neural tissue

• US 20060052837A1
• 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 7,337,006 B2
• 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 methods and systems for modulating neural tissue including systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of targeted neural tissue. Targeted neural tissue may include one or more ganglia including those of the spinal nerves in the dorsal root and the sympathetic chain. Methods also include 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 method of modulating neural tissue within a dorsal root ganglion, comprising:

implanting an electrode within a dorsal root ganglion; and

providing electrical stimulation from the electrode to stimulate neural tissue within the dorsal root ganglion.

2. The method according to claim 1 providing electrical stimulation comprises providing electrical stimulation that stimulates mostly A-fibers within the dorsal root ganglion.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein implanting an electrode within a dorsal root ganglion comprises passing the tip of an electrode body completely through the dorsal root ganglion.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein implanting an electrode comprises implanting an electrode adapted to stimulate only a single dorsal root ganglion.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein implanting an electrode within a dorsal root ganglion comprises anchoring the tip of an electrode body after passing the tip of an electrode body completely through the dorsal root ganglion.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein implanting an electrode within a dorsal root ganglion comprises securing the proximal end of the electrode body relative to the dorsal root ganglion.

7. A method of modulating a neural pathway in the sympathetic nervous system, comprising:

stimulating a spinal dorsal root ganglion upstream of at least one ganglion of the sympathetic nerve chain to influence a condition associated with the at least one ganglion of the sympathetic nerve chain.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein stimulating a spinal dorsal root ganglion comprises stimulating a spinal dorsal root ganglion upstream of at least one ganglion of the sympathetic nerve chain to influence functional activation of a bodily system associated with the at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain.

9. The method according to claim 7 wherein stimulating a spinal dorsal root ganglion comprises stimulating a spinal dorsal root ganglion upstream of at least one ganglion of the sympathetic nerve chain to influence functional activation of an organ associated with the at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain.

10. The method according to claim 7 wherein stimulating a spinal dorsal root ganglion comprises stimulating a spinal dorsal root ganglion upstream of at least one ganglion of the sympathetic nerve chain to influence functional inhibition of a bodily system associated with the at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain.

11. The method according to claim 7 wherein stimulating a spinal dorsal root ganglion comprises stimulating a spinal dorsal root ganglion upstream of at least one ganglion of the sympathetic nerve chain to influence functional inhibition of an organ associated with the at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain.

12. The method according to claim 7 wherein the at least one ganglion of the sympathetic nerve chain is a cervical ganglion.

13. The method according to claim 7 wherein the at least one ganglion of the sympathetic nerve chain is a thoracic ganglion.

14. The method according to claim 7 wherein the at least one ganglion of the sympathetic nerve chain is a lumbar ganglion.

15. The method according to claim 7 wherein the applying step is performed using an electrode exposed to the spinal dorsal root ganglion epinurium.

16. The method according to claim 7 wherein the applying stimulation step is performed using an electrode within the dorsal root ganglion.

17. The method according to claim 7 further comprising applying stimulation to the at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain.

18. The method according to claim 16 wherein the applying stimulation step for the at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain is performed using an electrode exposed to the at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain.

19. The method according to claim 16 wherein the applying stimulation step for the at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain is performed using an electrode implanted within the at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain.