Adjustable simulation device and method of using same

• US 7,715,924 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2003
• Issued: 05/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Original Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Inventors: Sharan, Ashwini, Rezai, Ali R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Evanisko; George R
• Application Number:
  US10/503,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20050131506A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,654 Days
• Field of Search: 607/116, 607/117, 607/148, 607/152
• US Class Current: 607/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4494 data driven

Abstract

A device and method for stimulating neural tissue in a patient comprising: providing a lead having opposed first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis therebetween wherein the lead having at least one electrode provided thereon for delivering electrical stimulation; implanting the lead adjacent the neural tissue; applying electrical signals to the at least one electrode to provide electrical stimulation to the neural tissue; closing all incisions made to implant the lead so that the lead is completely implanted in the patient; and adjusting, at any time after the step of closing all the incisions, the position of the lead so that it moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lead.

Claims

1. An adjustable stimulation device comprising:

an elongated lead body having opposed first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, said lead body having at least one electrode for delivering electrical stimulation to targeted tissue;

a position control mechanism for permitting adjustment of the position of said lead body in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said lead body;

a housing base extending along a plane parallel to said longitudinal axis and having a structure for guiding the movement of said lead body relative to said housing base;

said lead body having a cooperating structure that is in continuous sliding engagement with said housing base structure during adjustment of the position of said lead body in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said lead body and along a plane substantially parallel to said housing base plane,

wherein said cooperating structure defines a groove extending substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said lead body and said structure comprises a tongue member extending from said housing base that engages said groove,

wherein said cooperating structure further comprises a pair of guide shoes where each of said guide shoes includes a first portion that extends from said bottom portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to said bottom portion and a second portion that extends from said first portion in a direction substantially parallel to and spaced from said bottom portion.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said groove defines a T-shaped profile and said tongue member defines a corresponding T-shaped profile.

3. An adjustable stimulation device comprising:

an elongated lead body having opposed first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, said lead body having at least one electrode for delivering electrical stimulation to targeted tissue;

a position control mechanism for permitting adjustment of the position of said lead body in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said lead body;

a housing base extending along a plane parallel to said longitudinal axis and having a structure for guiding the movement of said lead body relative to said housing base;

said lead body having a cooperating structure that is in continuous sliding engagement with said housing base structure during adjustment of the position of said lead body in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said lead body and along a plane substantially parallel to said housing base plane,

wherein said structure defines a track disposed in said housing base and said cooperating structure comprises a rail extending substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said lead body that engages said channel.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said position control mechanism comprises a rack gear coupled to said lead body in a substantially perpendicular orientation and a pinion gear engaged with said rack gear such that rotation of said pinion gear causes rack gear to move in a direction only perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said pinion gear includes a hexagonal recess for received a hexagonal-tipped needle.

6. An adjustable stimulation device comprising:

an elongated lead body having opposed first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, said lead body having at least one electrode for delivering electrical stimulation to targeted tissue;

a position control mechanism for permitting adjustment of the position of said lead body in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said lead body;

a housing base extending along a plane parallel to said longitudinal axis and having a structure for guiding the movement of said lead body relative to said housing base; and

a housing cover releasably secured to said housing base, said housing cover comprising a plurality of electrically conductive panels having a top surface and a bottom surface, each of said plurality of electrically conductive panels is surrounded by an electrically insulated frame,

said lead body having a cooperating structure that is in continuous sliding engagement with said housing base structure during adjustment of the position of said lead body in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said lead body and along a plane substantially parallel to said housing base plane.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein a top surface of said electrode in electrical contact with said bottom surface f at least a portion of said plurality of electrically conductive panels such that said panels in electrical contact with said electrode are electrically active when said electrode is active.