Spinal cord stimulation to treat auditory dysfunction

• US 7,613,520 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2005
• Issued: 11/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: De Ridder, Dirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Sykes; Angela D
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATTON, AMANDA K
• Application Number:
  US11/254,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20060116742A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,475 Days
• Field of Search: 607/1, 607/2, 607/45, 607 55- 57, 607/116, 607/139
• US Class Current: 607/55
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36036 of the outer, middle or inner ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3606 adapted for a particular treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36085 Eating disorders or obesity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36096 Mood disorders, e.g. depression, anxiety or panic disorder
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/361 Phantom sensations, e.g. tinnitus
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3611 Respiration control stimulating respiratory organs A61N1/3601
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue

Abstract

A system and 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 subcutaneously implanted in communication with a predetermined spinal cord site. The stimulation portion of the probe may be implanted externally to the spinal cord, or may be implanted epidurally. The stimulation portion may be a laminotomy, paddle, surgical, or multiple electrode lead. The device to stimulate the probe may also be implanted subcutaneously.

Claims

1. A method of treating auditory dysfunction comprising the steps of:

implanting at least an electrical lead within a patient such that at least one electrode of the electrical lead is disposed adjacent to the dorsal column of the spinal cord associated with a vertebral segment;

selecting a plurality of operating parameters for an electrical spinal cord stimulation system that are effective for treating auditory dysfunction;

programming the electrical spinal cord stimulation system according to the plurality of operating parameters; and

activating the electrical stimulation system to deliver electrical pulses to the dorsal column of the spinal cord associated with the vertebral segment thereby treating the patient'"'"'s auditory dysfunction.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the vertebral segment is a cervical vertebral segment selected from the group consisting of C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, and a combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrical stimulation delivers electrical pulses on a substantially continuous basis.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of operating parameters include a pulse amplitude parameter, a pulse width parameter, and a pulse frequency parameter.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the pulse frequency parameter is within the range of about 3 to about 80 Hz.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrical stimulation delivers electrical pulses on a temporary basis in response to receiving an initiation signal from an external control device operated by the patient.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the selecting comprises:

temporarily delivering electrical pulses according to the plurality of operating parameters to the dorsal column of the spinal cord associated with the vertebral segment; and

monitoring the auditory dysfunction while the temporarily delivering is performed.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the monitoring comprises:

determining an improvement in the auditory dysfunction.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the auditory dysfunction is tinnitus, hyperacousis, phonophobia, misophonia, auditory agnosia, auditory spatial dysfunction or auditory hallucinations.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the lead comprises a plurality of electrodes and the plurality of operating parameters include an electrode configuration.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting stimulation parameters to optimize auditory dysfunction treatment.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the auditory dysfunction is tinnitus.