Non-linear electrode array

• US 20070150007A1
• Filed: 03/31/2006
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics Corporation (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Pianca, Anne, Anderson, Meredith
• Granted Patent: US 7,672,734 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy

Abstract

A system for stimulation includes an implantable pulse generator, a lead, and conductors. The lead includes an array body disposed at a distal end of the lead and electrodes concentrically arranged on the array body. A center electrode may also be disposed on the array body. The electrodes may be arranged in more than one concentric ring. A method of using an implantable stimulator includes implanting an implantable stimulator and providing an electrical signal to at least one electrode of the implantable stimulator to stimulate a tissue. The electrical signal may be provided between diametrically opposed electrodes or between electrodes that are not diametrically opposed. If the implantable stimulator has a center electrode, the electrical signal may be provided between the center electrode and at least one concentrically arranged electrode.

Claims

1. A lead comprising:

an array body disposed at a distal end of the lead; and

a plurality of electrodes concentrically arranged on the array body.

2. The lead of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes are arranged symmetrically with respect to one or more central axes.

3. The lead of claim 1, wherein at least two electrodes are diametrically opposed.

4. The lead of claim 1, wherein no two electrodes are diametrically opposed.

5. The lead of claim 1, further comprising a center electrode disposed on the array body and centrally located with respect to the plurality of electrodes.

6. The lead of claim 1, wherein at least one electrode is a non-circular electrode.

7. The lead of claim 6, wherein the at least one electrode is a non-circular electrode having a major axis and a minor axis.

8. The lead of claim 7, wherein the plurality of electrodes are arranged in more than one concentric ring, and wherein the major axis of at least one electrode in a first one of the concentric rings is arranged radially and the major axis of at least one electrode in a second one of the concentric rings is arranged tangentially.

9. The lead of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes are concentrically arranged in more than one concentric ring.

10. The lead of claim 9, wherein no electrode in a first concentric ring is aligned coaxially with an electrode in a second concentric ring.

11. The lead of claim 9, wherein at least one electrode in a first concentric ring is aligned coaxially with at least one electrode in a second concentric ring.

12. The lead of claim 1, wherein the array body is circular.

13. The lead of claim 1, wherein the array body is elliptical.

14. A system for stimulation comprising:

an implantable pulse generator;

a lead comprising an array body disposed at a distal end of the lead and a plurality of electrodes concentrically arranged on the array body; and

a plurality of conductors, wherein a one of the conductors is attached to each electrode, and wherein the conductors are configured and arranged to couple the electrodes to the implantable pulse generator.

15. A method of using an implantable stimulator, comprising:

implanting an implantable stimulator comprising a lead comprising an array body disposed at a distal end of the lead and a plurality of electrodes concentrically arranged on the array body; and

providing an electrical signal to at least one electrode to stimulate a tissue.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein providing an electrical signal comprises bilaterally stimulating the tissue.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein providing an electrical signal comprises providing an electrical signal between diametrically opposed electrodes.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein providing an electrical signal comprises providing an electrical signal between electrodes that are not diametrically opposed.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the stimulator further comprises a center electrode disposed on the array body and centrally located with respect to the plurality of electrodes.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein providing an electrical signal comprises providing an electrical signal between the centrally located electrode and at least one of the concentrically arranged electrodes.