Catheter leads for the intrathecal space and method of use
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A stimulation lead to lie along and stimulate tissue comprising:
- a sheath to be placed in the intrathecal space having a distal and proximal end;
at least one electrode along the exterior of the distal end of the sheath to lie along tissue;
a fixing element on the sheath configured to fix the electrodes in place along the tissue;
a passage extending from an inlet at the proximal end of the sheath to one or more outlets at the distal end of the sheath;
a wire extension extending from a distal portion of the sheath to the proximal end of the sheath;
an additional electrode on the wire extension and spaced from the at least three electrodes spaced along the exterior of the sheath; and
the additional electrode having a surface area length on the sheath greater than the surface area of each of the at least three electrodes.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Various stimulation catheters are disclosed to lie along and stimulate tissue in the intrathecal space. The electrodes on the leads are various sizes to conserve the battery as well as allowing a more defined area of stimulation. It may also include multiple channels or passages for delivery of drugs, thermal or photonic energy. The sheath includes a fixing element configured to fix the electrode in place along the tissue.
-
Citations
10 Claims
-
1. A stimulation lead to lie along and stimulate tissue comprising:
-
a sheath to be placed in the intrathecal space having a distal and proximal end; at least one electrode along the exterior of the distal end of the sheath to lie along tissue; a fixing element on the sheath configured to fix the electrodes in place along the tissue; a passage extending from an inlet at the proximal end of the sheath to one or more outlets at the distal end of the sheath; a wire extension extending from a distal portion of the sheath to the proximal end of the sheath; an additional electrode on the wire extension and spaced from the at least three electrodes spaced along the exterior of the sheath; and the additional electrode having a surface area length on the sheath greater than the surface area of each of the at least three electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method of neurostimulation using a catheter electrode assembly including a sheath having a distal and proximal end, at least three in-line electrodes spaced along the exterior of the distal end of the sheath to lie in-line along the spinal cord, and a fixing element configured to fix the electrodes in place along the spinal cord;
- the method comprising;
inserting a catheter electrode assembly, whose electrodes each extend no greater than 60 degrees about the exterior of the sheath, into the intrathecal space and positioning adjacent a spinal cord where it enters the spinal cord; fixing the electrodes at a desired location along the spinal cord using the fixing element; providing stimulation pulses to a selected pair of electrodes; and wherein the catheter includes an optical channel with one or more ports at a distal end of the catheter and including providing stimulating pulse of photonic energy to the optical channel in combination with or in lieu of the pulses to the electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (10)
- the method comprising;
Specification