Refillable Reservoir Lead Systems

• US 20100331762A1
• Filed: 09/13/2010
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neuropace Inc.
• Original Assignee: Neuropace Inc.
• Inventors: Morrell, Martha J., Boling, C. Lance, Wingeier, Brett M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,160,720 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/21
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0536 Preventing neurodegenerative response or inflammatory reaction
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0568 with drug delivery

Abstract

Medical electrical lead systems and related methods are described. The medical electrical lead systems may be configured to be at least partially implanted in a body of a subject. Some variations of the medical electrical lead systems may comprise a lead body comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending at least partially therebetween, at least one electrode in the proximity of the distal end of the lead body, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the lumen, where the reservoir is located at a position removed from the distal end of the lead body. Certain variations of the medical electrical lead systems may comprise a lead body comprising a proximal end and a distal end and first and second lumens extending at least partially therebetween, and at least one electrode in the proximity of the distal end of the lead body.

Claims

1. A method of treating epilepsy in a subject comprising:

at least partially implanting a medical electrical lead system in a brain of a subject, wherein the lead system comprises a lead body comprising a lumen and a refillable reservoir that is in fluid communication with the lumen of the lead body; and

detecting epileptiform activity or an electrographic seizure in the brain of the subject,

wherein the lead system is configured to deliver at least one bioactive agent to the brain of the subject upon such detection.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one bioactive agent comprises at least one antiepileptic drug.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one antiepileptic drug is selected from the group consisting of acetazolamide, carbamazepine, clonazepam, clorazepate, benzodiazepine derivatives, divalproex, ethosuximide, ethotoin, felbamate, fosphenytoin, gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, mephobarbital, methsuximide, oxcarbazepine, phenacemide, phenobarbital, phenytoin, pregabalin, primidone, thiopental, tiagabine, topiramate, trimethadione, valproate, zonisamide, tetrodotoxin, and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one antiepileptic drug comprises a benzodiazepine derivative.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one antiepileptic drug comprises diazepam.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one antiepileptic drug is selected from the group consisting of allopregnanolone, ganaxolone, and combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one bioactive agent comprises tetrodotoxin.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one bioactive agent is adapted to facilitate neurostimulation.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one bioactive agent is adapted to facilitate the recording of one or more signals from a brain of a subject.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying neurostimulation to a region of the brain of the subject.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one bioactive agent is adapted to facilitate neurostimulation.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising refilling the refillable reservoir with the at least one bioactive agent.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein refilling the refillable reservoir comprises injecting the refillable reservoir with the at least one bioactive agent.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the refillable reservoir is secured to the skull of the subject.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the lead system is connected to an implantable medical device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the refillable reservoir is secured to the implantable medical device.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the refillable reservoir is secured to tissue of the subject.

19. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the lead system is configured to allow the at least one bioactive agent to passively advance from the lumen of the lead body into the brain of the subject by at least one of diffusion, elution, or effusion.

18. A method comprising:

at least partially implanting a medical electrical lead system in a brain of a subject, the lead system comprising a lead body comprising a lumen and a reservoir that is in fluid communication with the lumen of the lead body, the reservoir containing at least one bioactive agent,

wherein the lead system is configured to allow the at least one bioactive agent to passively advance from the lumen of the lead body into a brain of a subject.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the reservoir is in the form of a protrusion extending from the lumen of the lead body.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising applying pressure to the protrusion to result in advancement of the at least one bioactive agent from the lumen of the lead body into the brain of the subject.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the reservoir and the lumen of the lead body are separated by a valve.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the valve is configured to open when the valve is exposed to a first magnet.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the valve comprises a second magnet.

25. The method of claim 18, further comprising electrostatically drawing the at least one bioactive agent out of the reservoir.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising applying a charge to expel at least one bioactive agent out of the reservoir.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein the lead system comprises at least one electrode configured to apply charge to expel the at least one bioactive agent out of the reservoir.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the electrode is located within the reservoir.

29. The method of claim 18, wherein the subject has epilepsy.

30. The method of claim 18, wherein the subject has a movement disorder.

31. The method of claim 18, wherein the subject has at least one disorder selected from the group consisting of essential tremor, major depression disorder, bipolar disorder, and Tourette'"'"'s syndrome.

32. The method of claim 18, wherein the lead system is configured to allow the at least one bioactive agent to passively advance from the lumen of the lead body into the brain of a subject at predetermined intervals.

33. A method comprising:

at least partially implanting a medical electrical lead system in a subject, the lead system comprising a lead body comprising a lumen and a reservoir that is in fluid communication with the lumen of the lead body, the reservoir containing at least one bioactive agent,

wherein the lead system is configured to allow the at least one bioactive agent to passively advance from the lumen of the lead body into a subject.

34. The lead system of claim 33, wherein the lead system is configured to allow the at least one bioactive agent to passively advance from the lumen of the lead body into the subject by at least one of diffusion, elution, or effusion.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the reservoir is in the form of a protrusion extending from the lumen of the lead body.

36. The method of claim 33, further comprising applying pressure to the protrusion to result in advancement of the at least one bioactive agent from the lumen of the lead body into the subject.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the reservoir and the lumen of the lead body are separated by a valve.

38. The method of claim 33, further comprising electrostatically drawing the at least one bioactive agent out of the reservoir.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising applying a charge to expel at least one bioactive agent out of the reservoir.

40. The method of claim 33, wherein the lead system comprises at least one electrode configured to apply charge to expel the at least one bioactive agent out of the reservoir.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the electrode is located within the reservoir.

42. The method of claim 33, wherein the lead system is configured to allow the at least one bioactive agent to passively advance from the lumen of the lead body into the subject at predetermined intervals.

43. The method of claim 33, further comprising refilling the reservoir.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the step of refilling comprises injecting at least one bioactive agent into the reservoir.