ELECTRODE IMPLANT FOR THE NEURO-STIMULATION OF THE SPINAL CORD

• US 3,724,467 A
• Filed: 04/23/1971
• Issued: 04/03/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James G. Wepsic, Roger E. Avery
• Original Assignee: James G. Wepsic, Roger E. Avery
• Inventors: Avery, Roger E., Wepsic, James G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/136,924
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.6E,2.1E,404,410,411,416,417,418,419C,419E,419R,DIG.4
• US Class Current: 607/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes

Abstract

An improved implantable device for electrically stimulating a selected portion of the spinal cord is provided. A relatively thin and flexible strip of physiologically inert plastic is provided with a plurality of electrodes. Lead wires that are also encapsulated in the same physiologically inert plastic material are secured to the electrodes and extend therefrom at approximately the same angle as the spine'"'"''"'"'s posterior process. A packing gland may be positioned about the lead wires to the electrodes to minimize leakage of spinal fluids.

Claims

1. An improved implant for the electrical stimulation of selected portions of the spinal cord of a human being, said implant comprising a relatively thin, physiologically inert plastic body portion having upper and lower surfaces, said body portion being substantially flat and sufficiently flexible so as to conform to the shape of the surface of the spinal column of a human being, a plurality of metallic electrodes secured to said body portion of said implant, said electrodes being adapted to be placed in contact with a selected portion of the spinal column of a human being, the contact surface of said electrodes being in a plane that is outward of the plane of said lower surface of said body portion of said implant and lead means coupled to said electrodes, said lead means being positioned at an angle of between 15* to forty-five degrees with respect to the plane of said body portion to thereby approximate the angle of the spine'"'"''"'"'s posterior process for minimizing the likelihood of pulling the implant away from the spinal cord due to motion of the human'"'"''"'"'s back or the muscles surrounding said implant, said lead means extending from said upper surface of said body portion opposed to said electrodes.

2. The implant in accordance with claim 1 wherein said angle is thirty degrees.

3. The implant in accordance with claim 1, wherein said body portion extends laterally beyond said electrodes in at least one direction for defining an extension that is trimmable after said implant final location is determined.

4. The implant in accordance with claim 3 wherein said body portion extends laterally in two opposite directions beyond said electrodes.

5. The implant in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electrodes are arrayed in an alternating pattern on opposite sides of a longitudinal line defined by the juncture of said lead means and said body portion.

6. The implant in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electrodes are arrayed along a linear path that is laterally spaced from and substantially parallel to a longitudinal line defined by the juncture of said lead means and said body portion.

7. The implant in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is further included a recess in said body portion for receiving each of said electrodes.

8. An improved implant for the electrical stimulation of selected portions of the spinal cord, said implant comprising a physiologically inert plastic body portion, a plurality of metallic electrodes secured to said body portion, lead means coupled to said electrodes,said lead means being positioned at an angle of between 15* to 45* with respect to the plane of said body portion and strain relieving means comprising a physiologically inert strip wrapped around said lead means remotely from said body portion of said implant, said strain relieving means being adapted to be sutured in said remote location.

9. An improved implant for the electrical stimulation of selected portions of the spinal cord, said implant comprising a physiologically inert plastic body portion, a plurality of metallic electrodes secured to said body portion, lead means coupled to said electrodes, and strain relieving means comprising a physiologically inert strip wrapped around said lead means remotely from said body portion of said implant, said strain relieving means being adapted to be sutured in said remote location.

10. An improved implant for the electrical stimulation of selected portions of the spinal cord, said implant comprising a physiologically inert plastic body portion, a plurality of metallic electrodes secured to said body portion, lead means coupled to said electrodes, said lead means being positioned at an angle of between 15* to 45* with respect to the plane of said body portion of said implant and a packing gland surrounding said lead means at a position proximate said body portion of said implant for minimizing leakage of cerebral spinal fluid, said packing gland being comprised of a plurality of fibers bonded to said lead means.

11. An improved implant for the electrical stimulation of selected portions of the spinal cord, said implant comprising a physiologically inert plastic body portion, a plurality of metallic electrodes secured to said body portion and a packing gland surrounding said lead means at a position proximate said body portion of said implant for minimizing leakage of cerebral spinal fluid, said packing gland comprising a plurality of fibers bonded to said lead means.