Methods and systems for placing an implanted stimulator for stimulating tissue

• US 20070066997A1
• Filed: 09/21/2005
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Whitehurst, Todd, Mann, Alfred, He, Tom, Johnson, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,684,858 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula

Abstract

Systems for providing stimulation with an implantable system control unit and for optimally positioning that system control unit include a system control unit configured to provide a stimulus to a patient with a member attached to the system control unit for pulling the system control unit into position within the patient. Methods of optimally positioning the implantable system control unit within a patient such that the system control unit is proximal to target tissue that is to be stimulated by the system control unit include threading a member through a patient'"'"'s body using a needle, the member passing proximal to the target tissue and being attached to the system control unit, and pulling the system control unit into place with the member.

Claims

1. A system control unit comprising:

an implantable system control unit (SCU) configured to provide a stimulus to a patient; and

a member attached to said SCU for pulling said SCU into position within said patient.

2. The system control unit of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of electrodes configured to deliver an electrical stimulation to said patient.

3. The system control unit of claim 1, further comprising a pump for delivering a drug stimulation.

4. The system control unit of claim 1, wherein said member comprises a line.

5. The system control unit of claim 4, wherein said line comprises suture silk.

6. The system control unit of claim 4, further comprising two lines attached to said SCU for pulling said SCU in different directions during placement of said SCU within said patient.

7. The system control unit of claim 4, further comprising an eyelet on said SCU to which said line is attached.

8. The system control unit of claim 4, further comprising a cap disposed over an attachment point between said line and said SCU.

9. The system control unit of claim 8, wherein said cap comprises a polymer.

10. The system control unit of claim 9, wherein said cap comprises silicone.

11. A method of positioning an implantable system control unit within a patient such that said system control unit is proximal to a target tissue that is to be stimulated by said system control unit, said method comprising:

threading a member through a patient'"'"'s body, said member passing proximal to said target tissue and being attached to said system control unit; and

pulling said system control unit into place with said member.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising applying an electrical stimulation pulse to said needle when inserting said needle proximal to said target tissue to confirm that said needle is passing proximal to said target tissue.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising repositioning said needle based on effects of said electrical stimulation pulse.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said member comprises a line that is threaded through said patient'"'"'s body with a needle.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising pulling said system control unit in a different direction using a second line attached to said system control unit to position said system control unit.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising flossing said system control unit into position by pulling selectively on both said line and said second line.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising securing said system control unit in position.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein securing said system control unit is performed by securing said line at a needle insertion point and securing said second line at a needle exit point.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein securing said line and said second line comprises suturing said line at said needle insertion point and suturing said second line at said needle exit point.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein said target tissue is located in a neck of said patient and said threading said member comprising threading said member through a portion of said patient'"'"'s neck.

21. The method of claim 11, wherein said target tissue is located in a limb of said patient and said threading said member comprising threading said line through said member of said patient'"'"'s neck.

22. The method of claim 14, further comprising threading said line through an anchor point to curve a path of implantation.

23. A system control unit comprising:

an implantable system control unit (SCU) configured to provide a stimulus to a patient; and

means for pulling said SCU into position within said patient.

24. A method of treating symptoms of inactivity in limbs of a patient by stimulating target tissue in an inactive limb of said patient with an implanted system control unit proximal to said target tissue, said method comprising positioning said system control unit by:

threading a member through said inactive limb using a needle, said member passing proximal to said target tissue and being attached to said system control unit; and

pulling said system control unit into place with said member.

25. A method of treating pain of a patient by stimulating target tissue in a limb of said patient with an implanted system control unit proximal to said target tissue, said method comprising positioning said system control unit by:

threading a member through said limb using a needle, said member passing proximal to said target tissue and being attached to said system control unit; and

pulling said system control unit into place with said member.

26. A method of treating a condition in a neck or head of a patient by stimulating target tissue in said patient'"'"'s neck or head with an implanted system control unit proximal to said target tissue, said method comprising positioning said system control unit by:

threading a member through said neck of said patient or under skin on said head of said patient, said member passing proximal to said target tissue and being attached to said system control unit; and

pulling said system control unit into place with said member.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising stimulating said target tissue with said system control unit to treat headaches of said patient.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising stimulating said target tissue with said system control unit to treat pain of said patient.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising stimulating said target tissue with said system control unit to treat epilepsy in said patient.