METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING STIMULATION OF ONE OR MORE STIMULATION SITES

• US 20110066197A1
• Filed: 11/17/2010
• Published: 03/17/2011
• 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: Watkins, Laurence Dale, Bennett, Daniel S., Makous, James C., Jaax, Kristen N.
• Granted Patent: US 8,224,451 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• 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 facilitating stimulation of a stimulation site within a patient include implanting a distal portion of a first stimulating member such that the distal portion of the first stimulating member is in communication with a first stimulation site located within a patient, securing the distal portion of the first stimulating member at a first securing site with a first securing device positioned proximal to the first stimulation site, forming a first loop of at least 360 degrees with a portion of the first stimulating member proximal to the first securing device, securing the first loop with a second securing device at a second securing site having a position that is greater than or equal to substantially 180 degrees but less than or equal to substantially 315 degrees along the first loop from the first securing site, and positioning the second securing device and a stimulator to be coupled to a proximal end of the first stimulating member to maintain a curve in the first stimulating member of at least 45 degrees between the second securing device and the stimulator.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

implanting a distal portion of a first stimulating member at a site located to the right of a midline of a patient such that said distal portion of said first stimulating member is in communication with a first stimulation site located within the head or neck of said patient;

implanting a distal portion of a second stimulating member at a site located to the left of said midline such that said distal portion of said second stimulating member is in communication with a second stimulation site located within the head or neck of said patient;

forming a first loop of at least 360 degrees with a proximal portion of said first stimulating member at a site located to the right of said midline;

forming a second loop of at least 360 degrees with a proximal portion of said second stimulating member at a site located to the left of said midline;

securing each of said loops to tissue with at least one securing device; and

coupling proximal ends of said first and second stimulating members to at least one stimulator.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said sites of said first and second loops are located within an upper portion of said neck, and wherein said method further comprises:

forming a third loop of at least 360 degrees with said proximal portion of said first stimulating member at a site located within a lower portion of said neck and to the right of said midline; and

forming a fourth loop of at least 360 degrees with said proximal portion of said second stimulating member at a site located within a lower portion of said neck and to the left of said midline.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second stimulating members each comprise a lead with one or more electrodes disposed thereon, and wherein said method further comprises applying a stimulus generated by said at least one stimulator to at least one of said stimulation sites via at least one of said electrodes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein securing each of said loops to tissue with said at least one securing device comprises:

securing said first loop with a first securing device to maintain a curve in said first stimulating member of at least 45 degrees between said first securing device and said at least one stimulator; and

securing said second loop with a second securing device to maintain a curve in said second stimulating member of at least 45 degrees between said second securing device and said at least one stimulator.

5. A system comprising:

a first stimulating member having a distal portion configured to be in communication with a first stimulation site within a patient and a proximal portion configured to be formed into at least a first loop of at least 360 degrees;

a stimulator coupled to a proximal end of said first stimulating member; and

first and second securing devices configured to secure said first stimulating member to first and second securing sites;

wherein said first securing device is configured to secure said distal portion of said first stimulating member at said first securing site;

wherein said second securing device is configured to secure said first loop at said second securing site having a position that is greater than or equal to substantially 180 degrees but less than or equal to substantially 315 degrees along said first loop from said first securing site; and

wherein said second securing device is further configured to maintain a curve in said first stimulating member of at least 45 degrees between said second securing device and said stimulator.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a second stimulating member having a distal portion configured to be in communication with a second stimulation site within said patient, a proximal portion configured to be formed into a second loop of at least 360 degrees, and a distal end configured to be coupled to said stimulator;

third and fourth securing devices configured to secure said second stimulating member to third and fourth securing sites;

wherein said third securing device is configured to secure said distal portion of said second stimulating member at said third securing site;

wherein said fourth securing device is configured to secure said second loop at said fourth securing site having a position that is greater than or equal to substantially 180 degrees but less than or equal to substantially 315 degrees along said second loop from said third securing site; and

wherein said fourth securing device is further configured to maintain a curve in said second stimulating member of at least 45 degrees between said fourth securing device and said stimulator.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein said first and second securing devices each comprise a suture sleeve having a lumen configured to facilitate passage therethrough of said first stimulating member.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein:

said lumen of said first securing device is configured to be substantially collinear with said distal portion of said first stimulating member; and

said lumen of said second securing device is configured to be substantially perpendicular to said distal portion of said first stimulating member.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein said first stimulating member comprises at least one of a lead having at least one electrode disposed thereon and a catheter.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein said fourth securing device is further configured to maintain a curve in said second stimulating member of at least 90 degrees between said fourth securing device and said stimulator.