METHOD OF NEUROSTIMULATION OF DISTINCT NEURAL STRUCTURES USING SINGLE PADDLE LEAD TO TREAT MULTIPLE PAIN LOCATIONS AND MULTI-COLUMN, MULTI-ROW PADDLE LEAD FOR SUCH NEUROSTIMULATION

• US 20100030310A1
• Filed: 10/13/2009
• Published: 02/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Claudio A. Feler, John H. Erickson
• Original Assignee: Claudio A. Feler, John H. Erickson
• Inventors: Erickson, John H., Feler, Claudio A.
• Application Number:
  US12/578,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20100030310A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration

Abstract

In some embodiments, a paddle lead is implanted within a patient such that the electrodes are positioned within the cervical or thoracic spinal levels. An electrode combination on a first row of electrodes can be determined that is effective for a first pain location with minimal effects on other regions of the body. The first pain location can be addressed by stimulating a first dorsal column fiber due to the relatively fine electrical field resolution achievable by the multiple columns. Then, another electrode combination on a second row of electrodes can be determined for a second pain location with minimal effects on other regions. The second pain location could be addressed by stimulating a second dorsal column fiber. After the determination of the appropriate electrodes for stimulation, the patient'"'"'s IPG can be programmed to deliver pulses using the first and second rows according to the determined electrode combinations.

Claims

1. A stimulation lead for electrically neurostimulating a patient, comprising:

a rigid paddle structure;

a plurality of electrodes disposed on the paddle structure, wherein the plurality of electrodes are mutually separated by insulative material, wherein the plurality of electrodes comprise at least five columns of electrodes disposed laterally along the paddle structure;

a lead body of insulative material coupled to the paddle structure at a distal end of the lead body;

a plurality of wire conductors encapsulated within the insulative material of the lead body;

a plurality of terminals on a proximal end of the lead body, wherein the plurality of terminals are electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes through the plurality of wire conductors.

2. The stimulation lead of claim 1 wherein the paddle structure is adapted for implantation in the epidural space within one or several cervical segments of a patient, and wherein the electrodes in the at least five columns are separated longitudinally by 1.5 mm.