Spinal cord electrode assembly having laterally extending portions

• US 6,175,769 B1
• Filed: 06/14/1999
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Electrocore Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Electrocore Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Errico, Joseph P., Errico, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US09/332,805
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 607/117
• US Class Current: 607/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes

Abstract

A spinal electrode for use in spinal cord stimulation having portions which are specifically provided for coupling the electrode to the adjacent spinal tissue so that displacement of the electrode cannot easily occur by normal bodily motion as is a failure mechanism of prior electrode designs. The distal end of the electrode which includes the electrical contacts also includes at least one laterally extending non-electrical portion. The extending portions are provided for receiving a suture or wire therethrough. The laterally extending portions may include a readily identifiable distinguishing feature, such as a color dye or a textural difference, so that it can be readily seen as a safe region through which a suture may be passed. Alternatively (or in addition), the laterally extending portions may include a through hole so that the tip of the electrode may be tied to the spinous process (or other spinal bone) by a wire.

Claims

1. A spinal stimulation electrode comprising:

a flexible and electrically insulating sheath, said sheath having a proximal end and a distal end;

a plurality of wire leads extending within said sheath, from said proximal end to said distal end;

a plurality of electrical contacts formed at the proximal and distal ends of said sheath, the contacts at the proximal end being coupled to the contacts at said distal end by said wire leads;

said distal end of said sheath further including an electrical contact containing portion and at least one laterally extending portion, for receiving therethrough a means for coupling said distal portion to an adjacent tissue.

2. The spinal stimulation electrode as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one laterally extending portion further includes a through hole.

3. The spinal stimulation electrode as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one laterally extending portion comprises means for being readily distinguished from the electrical contact containing portion.

4. The spinal stimulation electrode as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means for being readily distinguished is selected from the group of sensory distinguishing features consisting of color dyes, textures, and topology.

5. The spinal stimulation electrode as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one laterally extending portion comprises a through hole for receiving therethrough a wire for securing said distal portion to a bone.

6. A spinal stimulation electrode for implantation within a human body, adjacent to nerve tissue, comprising:

a plurality of wire leads having electrical contacts formed at the ends thereof for placement adjacent to the nerve tissue;

a sheath for containing said wire leads, said sheath having a distal end which includes the electrical contacts;

said distal end of said sheath further including at least one laterally extending portion for coupling the electrode to non-nervous tissue which is adjacent to said nerve tissue.

7. The spinal stimulation electrode as set forth in claim 6, wherein the at least one laterally extending portion comprises a through hole.

8. The spinal stimulation electrode as set forth in claim 6, wherein the at least one laterally extending portion comprises means for being readily distinguished from the remainder of the distal portion.

9. The spinal stimulation electrode as set forth in claim 8, wherein said means for being readily distinguished is selected from the group of sensory distinguishing features consisting of color dyes, textures, and topology.