STIMULATION OF A STIMULATION SITE WITHIN THE NECK OR HEAD

• US 20110060382A1
• Filed: 11/05/2010
• Published: 03/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Jaax, Kristen N., Whitehurst, Todd K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,315,704 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0582 Suture sleeves

Abstract

Methods of applying a stimulus to a stimulation site within the neck or head of a patient include implanting a distal portion of one or more leads adjacent to the stimulation site, forming a loop with a proximal portion of the one or more leads, and securing the distal and proximal portions of the one or more leads to one or more securing sites with one or more securing devices. The distal portion of the one or more leads includes a number of electrodes disposed thereon that are configured to deliver the stimulus to the stimulation site. Systems for applying a stimulus to a stimulation site within the neck or head of a patient include one or more leads having a number of electrodes disposed on a distal portion thereof and one or more securing devices configured to secure the one or more leads to one or more securing sites. The distal portion of the one or more leads is implanted adjacent to the stimulation site and the electrodes are configured to deliver the stimulus to the stimulation site. The proximal portion of the one or more leads is formed in a loop.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a lead having a distal portion configured to be adjacent to a stimulation site within a patient and a proximal portion configured to be formed into at least a complete loop;

a stimulator coupled to a proximal end of said lead;

a first suture sleeve configured to secure said lead to a first securing site to maintain said distal portion of said lead adjacent to said stimulation site; and

a second suture sleeve configured to be located along said loop and secure said lead at a second securing site;

wherein at least one of the first suture sleeve or the second suture sleeve comprises at least one slit disposed in a body of the suture sleeve, wherein the at least one slit is bound on four sides by a first pair of surfaces of the body that oppose and face each other and a second pair of surfaces of the body that oppose and face each other and that connect the first pair of surfaces, and wherein the at least one slit extends from an exterior of the suture sleeve to a lumen of the suture sleeve.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said stimulation site comprises at least one or more of a greater occipital nerve, a lesser occipital nerve, and a greater auricular nerve.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said one or more securing sites comprise at least one or more of a fascia and a bone.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said suture sleeves comprises:

a lumen configured to facilitate passage therethrough of said lead;

at least one slit disposed in a body of the suture sleeve;

at least one groove disposed on the body of the suture sleeve;

at least one wing member extending away from the body of the suture sleeve, and

one or more holes disposed in the at least one wing member for suturing said suture sleeves to said securing sites.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

another lead having a distal portion configured to be adjacent to another stimulation site within said patient, a proximal portion configured to be formed into at least a complete loop, and a distal end configured to be coupled to said stimulator;

a third suture sleeve configured to secure said another lead to a third securing site to maintain said distal portion of said another lead adjacent to said another stimulation site; and

a fourth suture sleeve configured to be located along said loop of said another lead and secure said another lead at a fourth securing site.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein:

said loop of said lead is configured to be located entirely to the right of a midline of said patient; and

said loop of said another lead is configured to be located entirely to the left of said midline of said patient.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said lead has at least one electrode disposed thereon, and wherein said stimulator is configured to apply an electrical stimulation current to said stimulation site via said at least one electrode.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said electrical stimulation current is configured to treat a headache.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one catheter coupled to the stimulator.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one slit is linear.