Multiple lead stimulation system and method

• US 20060161235A1
• Filed: 01/19/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: King, Gary W.
• Application Number:
  US11/038,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20060161235A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain

Abstract

A lead system for stimulating two sites of neurological tissue. The lead system includes at least a paddle lead and another lead. The paddle lead includes an anchor channel configured for anchoring the two leads together. A method for implanting a lead system for stimulating two sites is also provided.

Claims

1. A lead system for stimulating two sites of neurological tissue comprising:

(a) a first lead comprising a first set of electrodes having at least two electrodes;

(b) a paddle lead comprising;

(i) a paddle lead body, the paddle lead body comprising an anchor channel configured for anchoring the first lead to the paddle lead; and

(ii) a second set of electrodes coupled to the paddle lead body, the second set of electrodes including at least first, second and third electrodes.

2. The lead system of claim 1 wherein the anchor channel is a protrusion defining a hole configured to receive the first lead.

3. The lead system of claim 2 wherein the protrusion further comprises a longitudinal slit for placement of the first lead into the channel.

4. The lead system of claim 1 wherein the anchor channel is defined by a hole through the paddle lead body.

5. The lead system of claim 1 wherein the anchor channel is an indentation in the paddle lead body.

6. The lead system of claim 1 wherein the anchor channel is sized to provide a friction fit with the first lead to prevent movement of the first lead relative to the paddle lead.

7. The lead system of claim 1 further comprising a third lead, and wherein the paddle lead body further comprises a second anchor channel for anchoring the third lead to the paddle lead body.

8. The lead system of claim 1 wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned on opposite sides of an imaginary longitudinal axis that passes through the center of the third electrode.

9. The lead system of claim 1 wherein the first lead is a substantially cylindrical lead.

10. The lead system of claim 5 wherein the paddle lead body further comprises a suture channel for receipt of a suture for anchoring the first lead to the paddle lead.

11. A lead system for stimulating two sites of neurological tissue comprising:

(a) a first lead comprising a first set of electrodes having at least three electrodes;

(b) a paddle lead comprising;

(i) a second set of electrodes including first, second and third electrodes; and

(ii) an anchor means for coupling the first lead to the second lead.

12. The lead system of claim 11 wherein the first set of electrodes is distal relative to the second set of electrodes when the first lead and the paddle lead are coupled together.

13. The lead system of claim 11 wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned on opposite sides of an imaginary longitudinal axis that passes through the center of the third electrode.

14. The lead system of claim 11 wherein the first lead is a substantially cylindrical lead.

15. A method of implanting a lead system, the lead system including a paddle lead and a second lead, the method comprising:

(a) determining the appropriate spacing between the paddle lead and the second lead for stimulation of two anatomical sites;

(b) anchoring the second lead to the paddle lead to achieve the appropriate spacing resulting in a combined lead;

(c) implanting the combined lead.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein implanting the combined lead comprises surgical implantation of the paddle lead portion of the combined lead.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the paddle lead includes first, second and third electrodes and wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned on opposite sides of an imaginary longitudinal axis that passes through the center of the third electrode, the method further comprising generating a first stimulation pulse to at least one of the first, second and third electrodes, and generating a second stimulation pulse to one of the other of the first, second and third electrodes, wherein the first and second stimulation pulses overlap in time.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein anchoring the second lead to the paddle lead comprises suturing the second lead to the paddle lead.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein anchoring the second lead to the paddle lead comprises adhering the second lead to the paddle lead using a medical grade adhesive.

20. An implantable medical device comprising:

(a) a pulse generator capable of generating stimulation pulses, wherein the stimulation pulses have a pulse amplitude; and

(b) a first lead capable of receiving the stimulation pulses, the first lead comprising a first set of electrodes having at least two electrodes;

(c) a paddle lead capable of receiving the stimulation pulses, the paddle lead comprising;

(i) a second set of electrodes including at least first and second electrodes; and

(ii) an anchor channel configured for coupling the first lead to the paddle lead.

21. The implantable medical device of claim 20 wherein the second set of electrodes of the second lead further comprises a third electrode wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned on opposite sides of an imaginary longitudinal axis that passes through the center of the third electrode.

22. The implantable medical device of claim 21 wherein the pulse generator is capable of independently controlling the pulse amplitude on at least two of the three electrodes of the second set of electrodes.