Apparatus and method for providing an electrical field to a targeted area

• US 20070010862A1
• Filed: 12/23/2005
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Neuropoint Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Neuropoint Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Osypka, Thomas, Kim, Hyound-Ihl
• Application Number:
  US11/317,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20070010862A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/115
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0539 Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system

Abstract

An electrical stimulation apparatus for providing a unipolar electrical field over a targeted area, which includes an elongated flexible lead body having opposed proximal and distal end portions, the proximal end portion of the lead body including a connector for operative connection with a pulse generator, and an electrode assembly connected with the distal end portion of the lead body and electrically connected to the connector. The electrode assembly includes a paddle member having defining a plurality of corner sections. Suture sites located on the paddle member for anchoring the paddle member at an implantation site adjacent a targeted area, and a plurality of electrodes supported on the paddle member and connected to the lead body, wherein each corner section of the paddle member supports a respective one of the plurality of electrodes so as to define an electrode array for generating a unipolar electrical field at the targeted area.

Claims

1. Electrical stimulation apparatus for providing a unipolar electrical field over a targeted area comprising:

a) an elongated flexible lead body having opposed proximal and distal end portions, the proximal end portion of the lead body including a connector for operative connection with a pulse generator; and

b) an electrode assembly operatively associated with the distal end portion of the lead body and electrically connected to the connector, the electrode assembly including;

i) a generally planar paddle member having defining a plurality of corner sections;

ii) at least one suture site located on the paddle member for anchoring the paddle member at an implantation site adjacent a targeted area; and

iii) a plurality of electrodes supported on the paddle member and operatively connected to the lead body, wherein each corner section of the paddle member supports a respective one of the plurality of electrodes so as to define an electrode array for generating a unipolar electrical field over the targeted area.

2. The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a central electrode supported on the paddle member equidistant from each of the corner supported electrodes.

3. The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pulse generator operatively associated with the connector at to the proximal end of the lead body.

4. The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising electrical conducting means extending through the lead body form electrically connecting the electrodes of the electrode assembly with the connector at the proximal end pf the lead body.

5. The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the paddle member has a generally polygonal shape.

6. The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 1, wherein a suture site is associated with each corner section of the paddle member.

7. The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 1, wherein a suture site is defined at least in part by an aperture.

8. The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 1, wherein each electrode of the electrode assembly is defined by an annular ring electrode.

9. The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal end portion of the lead body is operatively associated with a corner section of the paddle member.

10. Electrical stimulation apparatus for providing a unipolar electrical field over a targeted area of the brain, comprising:

a) an elongated flexible lead body having opposed proximal and distal end portions;

b) a connector operatively associated with the proximal end portion of the lead body for operative connection with an implanted pulse generator;

c) an electrode assembly operatively associated with the distal end portion of the lead body and electrically connected to the connector, the electrode assembly including;

i) a generally polygonal paddle member defining a plurality of corner sections;

ii) a suture site located at each corner section for securing the paddle member at an implantation site adjacent a targeted area of the brain; and

iii) an electrode disposed at each corner section of the paddle member so as to define an electrode array for generating a unipolar electrical field over the targeted area; and

d) conductor means extending through the lead body for electrically connecting the electrodes of the electrode assembly to the connector.

11. The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a central electrode supported on the paddle member equidistant from each of the corner supported electrodes.

12. The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 11, wherein the paddle member has a generally square configuration defining four corner sections.

13. The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 12, wherein the suture site located at each corner section of the paddle member is spaced outwardly from the electrode disposed at such corner section of the paddle member.

14. The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 10, wherein each suture site is defined at least in part by an aperture.

15. The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 10, wherein each electrode of the electrode assembly is defined by an annular ring electrode.

16. The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 10, wherein the distal end portion of the lead body is operatively associated with a corner section of the paddle member.

17. Electrical stimulation apparatus for providing a unipolar electrical field over a targeted area of the brain, comprising:

a) an elongated flexible lead body having opposed proximal and distal end portions;

b) a connector operatively associated with the proximal end portion of the lead body for operative connection with an implanted pulse generator;

c) an electrode assembly operatively associated with the distal end portion of the lead body and electrically connected to the connector, the electrode assembly including;

i) a generally square paddle member defining four corner sections;

ii) a suture aperture located at each corner section for securing the paddle member at an implantation site adjacent a targeted area of the brain; and

iii) an electrode disposed at each corner section of the paddle member so as to define an electrode array for generating a unipolar electrical field over the targeted area; and

d) conductor means extending through the lead body for electrically connecting the electrodes of the electrode assembly to the connector.

18. The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a central electrode supported on the paddle member equidistant from each of the corner supported electrodes.

19. The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 17, wherein each electrode of the electrode assembly is defined by an annular ring electrode and the distal end portion of the lead body is operatively associated with a corner section of the paddle member.

20. A method for settling stem cells as therapy comprising the steps of:

implanting stem cells locally in a lesioned area;

facilitating settlement of the stem cells by generating a positively-charged electrical field over the targeted area such that the positively-charged electrical field helps to collect and stabilize electrically charged stem cells thereto.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the step of charging the stem cells.