Methods and systems for treating osteoarthritis

• US 20070156180A1
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Carbunaru, Rafael, Jaax, Kristen, Whitehurst, Todd
• Granted Patent: US 7,610,100 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/054 with electrotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8243 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula

Abstract

Methods of treating osteoarthritis include applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient with an implanted system control unit in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. Systems for treating osteoarthritis include a system control unit configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters.

Claims

1. A method of treating osteoarthritis, said method comprising:

applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient with an implanted system control unit in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters;

wherein said stimulus is configured to treat said osteoarthritis.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulation site comprises at least one or more of a joint affected by said osteoarthritis, an intraarticular joint space of said affected joint, an artery supplying said affected joint, a peripheral nerve innervating said affected joint, a spinal cord, a spinal segment supplying somatic sensation at said affected joint, a spinal segment supplying sympathetic control of said affected joint, a sympathetic ganglia, a nucleus gracilis, a nucleus cuneatis, a cranial nerve, a deep brain location, a hypothalamus, a thalamus, and a motor cortex.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling said system control unit to said stimulation site.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said system control unit is coupled to one or more electrodes, and wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered via said electrodes.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulus comprises one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered to said stimulation site and one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing at least one indicator related to said osteoarthritis and using said at least one sensed indicator to adjust one or more of said stimulation parameters.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one indicator comprises at least one or more of a synovial fluid level within said affected joint, the viscosity of synovial fluid within said affected joint, a distance across said affected joint;

a pressure distribution across said affected joint;

a vibration resulting from movement of said affected joint, a range of motion of said affected joint, an activity level of said affected joint, a smoothness of trajectory of said joint, a force exerted by one or more muscles surrounding said affected joint, electrical brain activity, a neurotransmitter level, a hormone level, a blood flow rate in said affected joint, and a medication level.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said system control unit comprises a microstimulator.

10. A system for treating osteoarthritis, said system comprising:

a system control unit configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters;

wherein said system control unit is implanted within said patient and wherein said stimulus is configured to treat said osteoarthritis.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said stimulation site comprises at least one or more of a joint affected by said osteoarthritis, an intraarticular joint space of said affected joint, an artery supplying said affected joint, a peripheral nerve innervating said affected joint, a spinal cord, a spinal segment supplying somatic sensation at said affected joint, a spinal segment supplying sympathetic control of said affected joint, a sympathetic ganglia, a nucleus gracilis, a nucleus cuneatis, a cranial nerve, a deep brain location, a hypothalamus, a thalamus, and a motor cortex.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said system control unit is coupled directly to said stimulation site.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said system control unit is coupled to one or more electrodes, and wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered via said electrodes.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein said stimulus comprises one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered to said stimulation site and one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

16. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a sensor device for sensing at least one indicator related to said osteoarthritis;

wherein said system control unit uses said at least one sensed indicator to adjust one or more of said stimulation parameters.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said at least one indicator comprises at least one or more of a synovial fluid level within said affected joint, the viscosity of synovial fluid within said affected joint, a distance across said affected joint;

a pressure distribution across said affected joint;

a vibration resulting from movement of said affected joint, a range of motion of said affected joint, an activity level of said affected joint, a smoothness of trajectory of said joint, a force exerted by one or more muscles surrounding said affected joint, electrical brain activity, a neurotransmitter level, a hormone level, a blood flow rate in said affected joint, and a medication level.

18. A system for treating osteoarthritis, said system comprising:

means for applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters; and

means for adjusting said stimulation parameters such that said stimulus is effective to treat said osteoarthritis.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered to said stimulation site.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein said stimulus comprises one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.