METHOD OF MOUNTING MINIMALLY INVASIVE PLUG ELECTRODES WITHIN CRANIUM OF PATIENT

• US 20090118804A1
• Filed: 11/05/2007
• Published: 05/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics Corporation (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Moffitt, Michael Adam, Funderburk, Jeffery Van
• Application Number:
  US11/935,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20090118804A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6864 Burr holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0539 Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

A method of performing a medical procedure on a patient comprises forming a burr hole through the cranium of the patient, mounting a permanently integrated plug electrode within the burr hole, and electrically coupling the plug electrode to an electronics device. Another method of performing a medical procedure on a patient comprises forming a burr hole through the cranium of the patient, mounting an electrode within the burr hole, such that the electrode does not extend within the brain of the patient, and electrically coupling the electrode to an electronics device. A hybrid plug/electrode comprises a plug body configured for being anchored within a burr hole formed within a cranium of a patient, at least one electrode disposed on a distal-facing surface of the plug body, and at least one electrode lead affixed within the plug body in electrical communication with the at least one electrode.

Claims

1. A method of performing a medical procedure on a patient, comprising:

forming a burr hole through the cranium of the patient;

mounting a permanently integrated plug electrode within the burr hole; and

electrically coupling the plug electrode to an electronics device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the burr hole has a diameter of 10 mm or less.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the burr hole has a diameter of 5 mm or less.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein mounting the plug electrode within the burr hole comprises screwing the plug electrode within the burr hole.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plug electrode has at least one electrode formed on an external surface of the plug electrode.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one electrode contact comprises a plurality of electrodes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plug electrode has at least one electrode disposed within the burr hole when the plug electrode is mounted within the burr hole.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a proximal portion of the plug electrode is electrically insulated from the patient, and a distal portion of the plug electrode is exposed to form at least one electrode.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the burr hole within the cranium of the patient and mounting the plug electrode within the burr hole comprises screwing the plug electrode directly into the cranium of the patient.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein electrically coupling the plug electrode to the electronics device comprises connecting an electrical lead between the plug electrode and the electronics device.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising implanting the electronics device within the patient.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronics device is a neurostimulator, the method further comprising:

forming another burr hole through the cranium of the patient;

mounting another plug electrode within the burr hole; and

electrically coupling the other plug electrode to an electrical signal recorder.

13. A method of performing a medical procedure on a patient, comprising:

forming a burr hole through the cranium of the patient;

mounting an electrode within the burr hole, such that the electrode does not extend into a brain of the patient; and

electrically coupling the electrode to an electronics device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the burr hole has a diameter of 10 mm or less.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the burr hole has a diameter of 5 mm or less.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising mounting a plug within the burr hole to secure the electrode within the burr hole.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plug and electrode form a permanently integrated plug electrode that is mounted within the burr hole to secure the electrode within the burr hole.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the electrode is carried by a lead, and the lead is affixed within the plug to secure the electrode within the burr hole.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the electrode is mounted within the burr hole, such that the electrode does not extend into a cranial cavity of the patient.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising implanting the electronics device within the patient.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the electronics device is a neurostimulator, the method further comprising:

forming another burr hole through the cranium of the patient;

mounting another electrode within the other burr hole, such that the other electrode does not extend within a cranial cavity of the patient; and

electrically coupling the other electrode to an electrical signal recorder.

22. A hybrid plug/electrode, comprising:

a plug body configured for being anchored within a burr hole formed within a cranium of a patient, the plug body having a distal-facing surface;

at least one electrode disposed on the distal-facing surface of the plug body; and

at least one electrode lead affixed within the plug body in electrical communication with the at least one electrode.

23. The hybrid plug/electrode of claim 22, wherein the plug body comprises a cylindrical outer wall configured for engaging an inner surface of the burr hole.

24. The hybrid plug/electrode of claim 23, wherein the plug body comprises at least one fastening mechanism disposed on the cylindrical outer wall for anchoring the plug body to the inner surface of the burr hole.

25. The hybrid plug/electrode of claim 24, wherein the at least one fastening mechanism is a thread.

26. The hybrid plug/electrode of claim 22, wherein the at least one electrode comprises a plurality of electrodes.

27. The hybrid plug/electrode of claim 26, wherein the at least one electrode lead comprises a plurality of electrode leads.

28. The hybrid plug/electrode of claim 22, further comprising a connector affixed to the plug body in electrical communication with the at least one electrode lead, the connector configured for being externally accessible when the plug body is anchored within the burr hole.

29. The hybrid plug/electrode of claim 28, wherein the connector is configured for receiving a lead extension.

30. A medical system, comprising:

the hybrid plug/electrode of claim 22; and

an electronics device coupled to the one or more electrode leads.

31. A method of performing a medical procedure on a patient, comprising:

forming the burr hole through the cranium of the patient;

anchoring the hybrid plug/electrode of claim 22 within the burr hole; and

electrically coupling the hybrid plug/electrode to an electronics device.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one electrode does not extend within a cranial cavity of the patient when the hybrid plug/electrode is anchored within the burr hole.

33. A method of performing a medical procedure on a patient, comprising conveying electrical energy from the at least one electrode of the hybrid plug/electrode of claim 22 to stimulate cortical brain tissue of the patient.

34. A method of performing a medical procedure on a patient, comprising recording electrical signals from the cortical brain tissue using the at least one electrode of the hybrid plug/electrode of claim 22.