Stimulation components

• US 20060052856A1
• 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 University)
• Original Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford University)
• Inventors: Imran, Mir A., Kim, Daniel H.
• Application Number:
  US11/222,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20060052856A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/117
• 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 component, comprising:

a proximal connector;

a distal electrode configured to be implanted within the body at a stimulation site;

an electrical lead connected to the proximal connector and the distal electrode;

a strain relief mechanism in proximity to the stimulation site; and

a fixation element adapted to reduce the amount of movement of the electrical lead proximal to a fixation point in an anatomical structure proximal to the stimulation site.

2. The stimulation component according to claim 1 further comprising an anchoring mechanism proximal to the distal electrode.

3. The stimulation component according to claim 1 wherein the distal electrode is a monopolar electrode.

4. The stimulation component according to claim 1 wherein the distal electrode is a bi-polar electrode.

5. The stimulation component according to claim 1 wherein the stimulation site is a spinal dorsal root ganglion.

6. The stimulation component according to claim 1 wherein the electrical lead has a diameter of less than 1 mm.

7. The stimulation component according to claim 1 wherein the anatomical structure proximal to the stimulation site is a bony portion of the spine.

8. The stimulation component according to claim 2 wherein the anchoring mechanism is adapted to anchor the distal electrode within the stimulation site.

9. The stimulation component according to claim 3 wherein the distal electrode comprises at least one pair of capacitive plates.

10. The stimulation component according to claim 3 wherein the distal electrode is a ring.

11. The stimulation component according to claim 3 wherein the distal electrode is formed from a loop of the electrical lead without insulation.

12. The stimulation component according to claim 3 wherein the distal electrode area is less than 1 mm².

13. The stimulation component according to claim 3 wherein the distal electrode area is less than 0.5 mm².

14. The stimulation component according to claim 3 wherein the distal electrode area is less than 3 mm².

15. The stimulation component according to claim 3 wherein the volume of the distal electrode implanted into the stimulation site is less than 1 mm³.

16. The stimulation component according to claim 4 wherein the distal electrode comprises at least one pair of capacitive plates.

17. The stimulation component according to claim 4 wherein the distal electrode is a ring.

18. The stimulation component according to claim 4 wherein the distal electrode is formed from a loop of the electrical lead without insulation.

19. The stimulation component according to claim 4 wherein the distal electrode area is less than 0.5 mm².

20. The stimulation component according to claim 4 wherein the distal electrode area is less than 3 mm².

21. The stimulation component according to claim 4 wherein the volume of the distal electrode implanted into the stimulation site is less than 1 mm³.

22. The stimulation component according to claim 4 wherein the distal electrode area is less than 1 mm².

23. The stimulation component according to claim 8 wherein the anchoring mechanism and the distal electrode are integrally formed.

24. The stimulation component according to claim 8 wherein the anchoring mechanism is formed from a polymer or a silicone.