ELECTRICAL SPINAL CORD STIMULATING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANAGEMENT OF PAIN

• US 3,822,708 A
• Filed: 12/07/1972
• Issued: 07/09/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Serge Zilber
• Original Assignee: Serge Zilber
• Inventors: Zilber, Serge
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/312,935
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419R,418,404
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators

Abstract

Intractable pain that is transmitted by the spinal cord and sensed by the human body is suppressed by implanting an electrode carrying device near a nerve bundle in the spinal cord. The device is constructed of an electrical insulating substance inert to the body fluids and tissue and carries electrodes for supplying electric current to the spinal cord thereby suppressing the sensed quantity of pain. These electrodes are in aligned, spaced relationship with the alignment extending transversely of the nerve bundle. A switch may be positioned within the body and used to supply the current to certain of the electrodes in response to the quantity of pain sensed thereby controlling same by varying the area of the spinal cord affected.

Claims

1. A method of suppressing pain by stimulating a preselected spinal cord level, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning at least three electrodes in a single row in at least a portion of said spinal cord substantially longitudinal to the length of said spinal cord along the natural separation of said spinal cord, generating electrical energy in a source of electric power, and electrically connecting said electrodes with the source of electric power, thereby establising a plurality of electric dipoles having their fields oriented longitudinally with said spinal cord.

2. The method as in claim 1 including the step of varying the area of said spinal cord being managed in accordance with the amount of pain sensed by the body.

3. The method as in claim 2 wherein said area varying step includes the step of providing electric current to preselected combinations of said electrodes.

4. A device for managing pain, said device being of the type that is implantable in the body within the spinal cord and adjacent a nerve transmitting intractable pain, said device including an electrode carrying member constructed of electrical insulating material and of the type that will not be rejected by the body, the electrode carrying member having a surface portion extending substantially perpendicular thereto, said perpendicular surface having a plurality of apertures defined therein, the perpendicular surface and the apertures facilitating the attachment of the electrode carrying member to said spinal cord, and the perpendicular surface facilitating post operative sealing of the dura incision, a plurality of electrodes positioned longitudinally in a spaced apart relationship in said member with a surface of each of said electrodes being located substantially near the exterior of said member to enable electric current flow between said electrode, said surfaces of said electrodes having a predetermined portional surface area to achieve a preselected current density, an electrical conductor extending from said electrodes, and means for supplying electrical power to said conductors to thereby cause a current flow between said electrodes, thereby establishing electric fields oriented longitudinally along the spinal cord.

5. The combination as in claim 4 wherein said device includes an odd number of at least three electrodes, a centeR electrode, said center electrode having a larger area and operable to achieve a predetermined current density between said adjacent electrodes when a current flows between certain ones of said adjacent electrodes and said center electrodes.

6. The combination as in claim 5 including means for selectively supplying current to certain ones of said electrodes in accordance with the quantity of pain sensed, said selective current supplying means thereby permitting the controlling of pain by varying the area of said spinal cord being managed.

7. The combination as in claim 4 wherein said device comprises an odd number of electrodes arranged longitudinally in a spaced apart relationship, a first group of electrodes connected together said first group being comprised of the first, third, and similarly odd numbered electrodes, a second group of electrodes connected together, said second group being comprised of the second, fourth, and similarly even numbered electrodes, said first group and said second group operative to form an even number of longitudinally aligned electric dipoles when excited by said energy source, said device thereby concentrating electric current in preselected regions of the spinal cord to minimize unnecessary spinal cord current spread and root pain associated therewith.