APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR STIMULATING TISSUE

• US 20080275515A1
• Filed: 07/15/2008
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Bradley, Kerry
• Application Number:
  US12/173,169
• Publication Number:
  US 20080275515A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for stimulating tissue employing local current imbalance to facilitate more effective stimulation regimens.

Claims

1. A method, comprising the steps of:

generating action potentials in neural fibers in first and second neural fiber bundles with a first electrode that is a first distance from the first neural fiber bundle and is a second distance, that is greater than the first distance, from the second neural fiber bundle; and

blocking at least some of the action potentials in the first neural fiber bundle with a second electrode that is the first distance from the first neural fiber bundle and the second distance from the second neural fiber bundle.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

generating action potentials comprises sinking a portion of current from the second electrode at the first electrode;

and further comprising the step of;

sinking another portion of the current from the second electrode at a remote electrode.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein blocking at least some of the action potentials comprises blocking at least some of the action potentials in the first neural fiber bundle with second and third electrodes that are each the first distance from the first neural fiber bundle and the second distance from the second neural fiber bundle and are located on opposite sides of the first electrode.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein

generating action potentials comprises sinking a portion of current from the second and third electrodes at the first electrode;

and further comprising the step of;

sinking another portion of the current from the second and third electrode at a remote electrode.

5-13. -13. (canceled)

14. A method, comprising the steps of:

sourcing current into neural tissue with a first electrode on an implantable lead;

sinking a portion of the current from the first electrode at a second electrode on the implantable lead; and

sinking another portion of the current from the first electrode at a remote electrode.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein

sourcing current into neural tissue comprises sourcing current into neural tissue with first and third electrodes located on the implantable lead and on opposite sides of the second electrode.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein

all of the current sourced at the first and third electrodes is sunk at the second electrode and the remote electrode.

17. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein

sinking a portion of the current from the first electrode at a second electrode comprises sinking current sufficient to generate action potentials in the neural tissue at the second electrode.

18. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein

sourcing current into neural tissue with first electrode comprises sourcing current sufficient to block action potentials as the first electrode.

19. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein

sinking another portion of the current from the first electrode comprises sinking another portion of the current form the first electrode at a case electrode.

20. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the neural tissue comprises elongate fibers, the method further comprising the step of:

orienting the implantable lead transverse to the elongate fibers.