MULTIPLE TUNABLE CENTRAL CATHODES ON A PADDLE FOR INCREASED MEDIAL-LATERAL AND ROSTRAL-CAUDAL FLEXIBILITY VIA CURRENT STEERING

• US 20100057177A1
• Filed: 09/04/2008
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Bradley, Kerry, Moffitt, Michael, Peterson, David K.L., Lee, Dongchul
• Granted Patent: US 9,717,910 B2
• 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 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration

Abstract

A neurostimulation paddle lead, method of neurostimulation, and neurostimulation system are provided. The neurostimulation paddle lead carries a plurality of electrodes comprising at least four columns of electrodes having a spacing between two inner electrode columns less than a spacing between the inner electrode columns and adjacent outer electrode columns. The inner electrode columns may also be longitudinally offset from the outer electrode columns. The methods and neurostimulation systems steer current between the electrodes to modify a medial-lateral electrical field created adjacent spinal cord tissue.

Claims

1. A neurostimulation paddle lead, comprising:

an elongated lead body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis;

a plurality of terminals carried by the proximal end of the lead body;

a paddle-shaped membrane disposed on the distal end of the lead body; and

a plurality of electrodes arranged on an exterior surface of the paddle-shaped membrane in electrical communication with the respective terminals, the plurality of electrodes comprising at least four columns of electrodes, each column extending along the paddle-shaped membrane in a longitudinal direction, the at least four electrode columns having at least two inner electrode columns and two outer electrode columns flanking the at least two inner electrode columns, wherein at least one of the at least two inner electrode columns is offset from the outer electrode columns in the longitudinal direction.

2. The neurostimulation paddle lead of claim 1, wherein the at least two inner electrode columns comprises first and second immediately adjacent inner electrode columns, a first one of the outer electrode columns is immediately adjacent the first inner electrode column, and a second one of the outer electrode columns is immediately adjacent the second inner electrode column.

3. The neurostimulation paddle lead of claim 2, wherein a first transverse spacing between the first and second inner electrode columns is different from each of a second transverse spacing between the first inner electrode column and the first outer column and the second outer electrode column.

4. The neurostimulation paddle lead of claim 3, wherein the first transverse spacing is less than each of the second and third transverse spacings.

5. The neurostimulation paddle lead of claim 3, wherein the first transverse spacing is within the range of 1.5-4.0 mm, and each of the second and third transverse spacings is within the range of 1.5-4.0 mm.

6. The neurostimulation paddle lead of claim 3, wherein a transverse spacing between the first and second outer electrode columns is within the range of 4.5-11.0 mm.

7. The neurostimulation paddle lead of claim 3, wherein the second and third transverse spacings are equal.

8. The neurostimulation paddle lead of claim 1, wherein at least one electrode in each of the at least two inner electrode columns is equidistant between two immediately adjacent electrodes in each of the outer electrode columns.

9. The neurostimulation paddle lead of claim 1, wherein the at least four electrode columns comprises only four electrode columns.

10. The neurostimulation paddle lead of claim 1, wherein the paddle-shaped membrane is sized to be deployed within the epidural space of a patient.

22. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least four electrode columns are disposed within the epidural space of a patient.

11. A method of providing therapy to a patient, comprising:

disposing at least four columns of electrodes adjacent spinal cord tissue of the patient, the at least four electrode columns having at least one two inner electrode columns and outer electrode columns flanking the at least two inner electrode columns;

configuring at least one electrode in the at least two inner electrode columns as a cathode, and at least two immediately adjacent electrodes in each of at least one of the outer electrode columns as anodes, the anodes being positioned both rostrally and caudally relative to the cathode; and

conveying electrical energy between the cathode and the anodes to create a medial-lateral electrical field that stimulates the spinal cord tissue.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one electrode in each of the two inner electrode columns is configured as a cathode, and the electrical energy is conveyed between the cathodes and the anodes to create a medial-lateral electrical field that stimulates the spinal cord tissue.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the cathodes are immediately adjacent to each other.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one of the outer electrode columns comprises both outer electrode columns.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one electrode in only one of the two inner electrode columns is configured as a cathode, and the electrical energy is conveyed between the cathode and the anodes to create a medial-lateral electrical field that stimulates the spinal cord tissue.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one of the outer electrode columns comprises both outer electrode columns.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one of the outer electrode columns comprises only one outer electrode column.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the only one outer electrode column is immediately adjacent the only one of the two inner electrode columns.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the only one outer electrode column is immediately adjacent the other one of the two inner electrode columns.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least two inner electrode columns comprise first and second inner electrode columns that are immediately adjacent to each other, and the outer electrode columns comprise a first outer electrode column immediately adjacent to the first inner electrode column, a second outer electrode column immediately adjacent to the second inner electrode column, a first transverse spacing between the first and second inner electrode columns is different from each of a second transverse spacing between the first inner electrode column and the first outer electrode column, and a third transverse spacing between the second inner electrode column and the second outer electrode column.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first transverse spacing is less than each of the second and third transverse spacings.