Peripheral nerve stimulation to treat auditory dysfunction
First Claim
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1. A method of treating auditory dysfunction comprising the steps of:
- implanting an electrical lead subcutaneously within a patient such that at least one electrode of the electrical lead is disposed directly next to or on the occipital nerve;
selecting a plurality of operating parameters for an electrical stimulation system that are effective for treating auditory dysfunction;
programming the electrical stimulation system according to the plurality of operating parameters; and
activating the electrical stimulation system to deliver electrical pulses to the occipital nerve thereby treating the patient'"'"'s auditory dysfunction.
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Abstract
A system and/or method for treating auditory dysfunction by somatosensory system stimulation. The system and/or method comprises a probe and a device to stimulate the probe. The probe has a stimulation portion implanted in communication with a predetermined peripheral nerve site. The stimulation portion of the probe may be implanted in contact with a peripheral nerve dorsal root ganglia, cranial nerve or dermatome area, for example C2 dermatome area or a trigeminal dermatome area. The stimulation portion may be a laminotomy, paddle, surgical, or multiple electrode lead. The device to stimulate the probe may be implanted subcutaneously or transcutaneously.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of treating auditory dysfunction comprising the steps of:
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implanting an electrical lead subcutaneously within a patient such that at least one electrode of the electrical lead is disposed directly next to or on the occipital nerve; selecting a plurality of operating parameters for an electrical stimulation system that are effective for treating auditory dysfunction; programming the electrical stimulation system according to the plurality of operating parameters; and activating the electrical stimulation system to deliver electrical pulses to the occipital nerve thereby treating the patient'"'"'s auditory dysfunction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of treating tinnitus comprising the steps of:
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implanting an electrical lead within a patient such that at least one electrode of the electrical lead is disposed within an occipital area wherein the occipital area comprises subocciptial nerve, greater occipital nerve, lesser occipital nerve or combinations thereof selecting a plurality of operating parameters for an electrical stimulation system that are effective for treating tinnitus; programming the electrical stimulation system according to the plurality of operating parameters; and activating the electrical stimulation system to deliver electrical pulses to the occipital nerve thereby treating the patient'"'"'s tinnitus.
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Specification