Stimulation of a stimulation site within the neck or head

• US 20060235484A1
• Filed: 10/25/2005
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Jaax, Kristen N., Whitehurst, Todd K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,853,321 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0582 Suture sleeves

Abstract

Methods of applying a stimulus to a stimulation site within the neck or head of a patient include implanting a distal portion of one or more leads adjacent to the stimulation site, forming a loop with a proximal portion of the one or more leads, and securing the distal and proximal portions of the one or more leads to one or more securing sites with one or more securing devices. The distal portion of the one or more leads includes a number of electrodes disposed thereon that are configured to deliver the stimulus to the stimulation site. Systems for applying a stimulus to a stimulation site within the neck or head of a patient include one or more leads having a number of electrodes disposed on a distal portion thereof and one or more securing devices configured to secure the one or more leads to one or more securing sites. The distal portion of the one or more leads is implanted adjacent to the stimulation site and the electrodes are configured to deliver the stimulus to the stimulation site. The proximal portion of the one or more leads is formed in a loop.

Claims

1. A method of applying a stimulus to a stimulation site within the neck or head of a patient, said method comprising:

implanting a distal portion of one or more leads adjacent to said stimulation site, said distal portion having a number of electrodes configured to deliver said stimulus disposed thereon;

forming a loop with a proximal portion of said one or more leads; and

securing said distal and proximal portions of said one or more leads to one or more securing sites with one or more securing devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said loop and said one or more securing devices are configured to minimize migration of said one or more leads.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulus is configured to treat a headache.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulation site comprises at least one or more of a greater occipital nerve, a lesser occipital nerve, and a greater auricular nerve.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more leads comprise a first lead configured to apply said stimulus to a stimulation site located on a right side of said patient and a second lead configured to apply said stimulus to a stimulation site located on a left side of said patient.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more securing devices comprise one or more suture sleeves configured to be sutured to said securing sites.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising filling said suture sleeves with an adhesive, said adhesive configured to secure said one or more leads to said suture sleeves.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said one or more suture sleeves comprise:

a distal suture sleeve having a long axis substantially collinear with a long axis of said distal portion of one of said one or more leads; and

a proximal suture sleeve having a long axis that is not parallel with the midline of said patient.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising using current steering to identify one or more optimal stimulation parameters for said patient.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling said one or more leads to one or more stimulators, said one or more stimulators configured to generate said stimulus.

11. A system for applying a stimulus to a stimulation site within the neck or head of a patient, said system comprising:

one or more leads having a number of electrodes disposed on a distal portion thereof, said electrodes configured to deliver said stimulus, wherein said distal portion of said one or more leads is implanted adjacent to said stimulation site; and

one or more securing devices configured to secure said one or more leads to one or more securing sites;

wherein a proximal portion of said one or more leads is formed in a loop and wherein said loop and said one or more securing devices are configured to minimize migration of said one or more leads.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said stimulus is configured to treat a headache.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said stimulation site comprises at least one or more of a greater occipital nerve, a lesser occipital nerve, and a greater auricular nerve.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein said one or more leads comprise a first lead configured to apply said stimulus to a stimulation site located on a right side of said patient and a second lead configured to apply said stimulus to a stimulation site located on a left side of said patient.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein said one or more securing sites comprise at least one or more of a fascia and a bone.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein said one or more securing devices comprise one or more suture sleeves configured to be sutured to said securing sites.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said one or more suture sleeves comprise:

a lumen for passage of said one or more leads;

a slit communicating with said lumen and an outer surface of said one or more suture sleeves; and

one or more holes for suturing said one or more suture sleeves to said one or more securing sites.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein said one or more suture sleeves comprise:

a distal suture sleeve having a long axis substantially collinear with a long axis of said distal portion of one of said one or more leads; and

a proximal suture sleeve having a long axis that is not parallel with the midline of said patient.

19. The system of claim 11, further comprising a stimulator configured to generate said stimulus, wherein said stimulator is coupled to a proximal end of said one or more leads.

20. A system for applying a stimulus to a stimulation site within the neck or head of a patient, said system comprising:

means for implanting a distal portion of one or more leads adjacent to said stimulation site, said distal portion having a number of electrodes configured to deliver said stimulus disposed thereon;

means for forming a loop with a proximal portion of said one or more leads; and

means for securing said distal and proximal portions of said one or more leads to one or more securing sites with one or more securing devices.