System and method for treating pain with peripheral and spinal neuromodulation

• US 20110022114A1
• Filed: 04/19/2010
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosa M. Navarro
• Original Assignee: Rosa M. Navarro
• Inventors: Navarro, Rosa M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,452,417 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer

Abstract

A system for treating pain uses spinal cord stimulation and peripheral subcutaneous field stimulation separately or in combination. The system includes an implantable device that is configured to deliver several electrical signals. Several electrical leads are connected to the implantable device. The electrical leads are implanted in the patient such that an electrical signal induces a current to flow between a subcutaneous lumbar region of the patient and a spinal cord region of the patient. The system can also include electrical leads that are implanted in the patient such that an electrical signal induces a current to flow across a lumbar region of the patient. A method for treating leg and back pain is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for treating pain comprising:

at least one implantable device that is configured to generate a plurality of electrical signals;

a first set of one or more electrodes in communication with the implantable device and adapted to be implanted proximate to a spinal cord;

a second set of one or more electrodes in communication with the implantable device and adapted to be implanted at least partially within subcutaneous tissue; and

a third set of one or more electrodes in communication with the implantable device and adapted to be implanted at least partially within subcutaneous tissue.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first set of electrodes are configured as anodes.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second set of electrodes are configured as cathodes.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the third set of electrodes are configured as cathodes.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein a current is induced to flow from the second and third sets of electrodes to the first set of electrodes.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second set of electrodes are disposed on a first side of the spinal cord and the third set of electrodes are disposed on a second side of the spinal cord.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrodes are arranged to form a polygon.

8. An apparatus for treating pain in a patient comprising:

at least one spinal lead for providing spinal cord stimulation;

at least one subcutaneous lead for providing peripheral subcutaneous field stimulation; and

at least one implantable device in communication with the spinal lead and the subcutaneous lead, the implantable device configured to generate at least one electrical signal that is conveyed between the subcutaneous lead and the spinal lead.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of subcutaneous leads.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the leads each have a set of electrodes.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electrodes are arranged to form a polygon.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the polygon is a triangle.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the spinal lead is configured as an anode.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the subcutaneous lead is configured as a cathode.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an external programming device in communication with the implantable device, the external programming device operable to define the electrical signal.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the implantable device has at least one memory, the external programming device causing the electrical signal to be stored in the memory.

17. An apparatus for treating pain comprising:

a first set of electrodes adapted to be implanted proximate to a spinal cord;

a second set of electrodes adapted to be implanted at least partially within subcutaneous tissue; and

at least one implantable device in communication with the first and second set of electrodes, the implantable device having a processor;

software operable on the processor to;

receive at least one instruction;

generate at least one electrical signal; and

supply the electrical signal to the first and second set of electrodes.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a third set of electrodes adapted to be implanted at least partially within subcutaneous tissue and in communication with the implantable device.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the electrodes are arranged to form a polygon.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first set of electrodes are configured as anodes and the second set of electrodes are configured as cathodes.