METHODS FOR STIMULATING A DORSAL ROOT GANGLION

• US 20090210041A1
• Filed: 02/11/2009
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories), Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford University)
• Original Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford University)
• Inventors: Imran, Mir A., Kim, Daniel H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,229,565 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1003 Spinal column
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/06 Body-piercing guide needles or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0568 with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36067 Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36139 with automatic adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36171 Frequency

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia. Some other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for selective neurostimulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia as well as techniques for applying neurostimulation to the spinal cord. Still other embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia in combination with a pharmacological agent.

Claims

1. A method of stimulating at least two dorsal root ganglion, comprising:

implanting a first electrode on a first spinal level to engage a first dorsal root ganglion;

implanting a second electrode to engage a second dorsal root ganglion;

connecting the first and second electrodes to a common signal generator; and

activating at least one of the first and second electrodes to stimulate an engaged dorsal root ganglion.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second electrode is on a second spinal level.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first and second spinal levels are adjacent to each other.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second electrode is on the first spinal level.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising implanting a third electrode wherein the third electrode engages a third dorsal root ganglion.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising advancing the first electrode toward the dorsal root ganglion by a lateral approach.