Corpus callosum neuromodulation assembly

• US 7,725,196 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2005
• Issued: 05/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Original Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Inventors: Machado, Andre, Rezai, Ali R.
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHAETZLE, KENNEDY
• Application Number:
  US11/121,057
• Publication Number:
  US 20050288760A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,847 Days
• Field of Search: 607/116, 600/378
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0539 Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Neuromodulation assemblies with lead bodies having curvatures that mimic the curvatures of the splenium, trunk, genu, or rostrum of the corpus callosum. Methods of stimulating the corpus callosum and methods of securing an electrical lead in the brain are also provided.

Claims

1. A neuromodulation assembly comprising:

a lead body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the lead body is configured to retain a pre-set curvature that mimics the curvature of the trunk, genu, splenium, or rostrum of the corpus callosum in an operative position of the lead body;

an electrical contact exposed at the bottom surface and not the top surface of the lead body;

a conductor coupled to the electrical contact and extending from the lead body; and

an anchor disposed on the conductor.

2. The neuromodulation assembly of claim 1, wherein the lead body retains a pre-set curvature that mimics the curvature of the trunk of the corpus callosum in the operative position of the lead body.

3. The neuromodulation assembly of claim 2, wherein the conductor extends from substantially the center of the lead body.

4. The neuromodulation assembly of claim 1, wherein the lead body retains a pre-set curvature that mimics the curvature of the rostrum of the corpus callosum in the operative position of the lead body.

5. The neuromodulation assembly of claim 1, wherein the lead body retains a pre-set curvature that mimics the curvature of the splenium of the corpus callosum in the operative position of the lead body.

6. The neuromodulation assembly of claim 1, wherein the lead body retains a pre-set curvature that mimics the curvature of the genu of the corpus callosum in the operative position of the lead body.

7. The neuromodulation assembly of claim 1, wherein the lead body is fabricated from a flexible material and is deformable from a pre-operative position to the operative position.

8. The neuromodulation assembly of claim 7, wherein the material is a shape memory alloy.

9. The neuromodulation assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor comprises a plurality of anchors.

10. The neuromodulation assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor is selected from the group consisting of:

a tine, a hook, and a suture sleeve.

11. The neuromodulation assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor is slidably disposed on the conductor.

12. The neuromodulation assembly of claim 1, wherein the lead body further comprises a fastener.

13. The neuromodulation assembly of claim 12, wherein the fastener comprises a pair of fasteners.

14. An electrical stimulation kit comprising the neuromodulation assembly of claim 13, and further comprising an installation tool having a proximal portion comprising a handle and a distal portion comprising a pair of arms that are connected by a first pivot, the pair of arms having distal ends configured to releasably cooperate with the pair of fasteners of the lead body.

15. The electrical stimulation kit of claim 14, wherein the installation tool further comprises a second pivot connecting the pair of arms, the second pivot located proximal to the first pivot.

16. The electrical stimulation kit of claim 14, wherein the pair of fasteners of the lead body comprise male fasteners and the distal ends of the pair of arms comprise female fasteners, the male and female fasteners acting in cooperation with each other to secure the installation tool to the lead body.

17. The neuromodulation assembly of claim 12, wherein the fastener comprises a male fastener for cooperation with a female fastener.

18. The neuromodulation assembly of claim 12, wherein the fastener comprises a strap, a groove, a buckle, a throughhole, or a snap.

19. The electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the electrical contact comprises a plurality of electrical contacts.

20. The neuromodulation assembly of claim 1, wherein the lead body has a J-shaped curvature in the operative position of the lead body.

21. The neuromodulation assembly of claim 1, wherein the lead body has a cambered curvature in the operative position of the lead body.

22. A neuromodulation assembly comprising:

a lead body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the lead body having a curvature that mimics the curvature of the trunk, genu, splenium, or rostrum of the corpus callosum in an operative position of the lead body;

an electrical contact exposed at the bottom surface and not the top surface of the lead body;

a fastener on the lead body for receiving an installation tool;

a conductor coupled to the electrical contact and extending from the lead body; and

an anchor disposed on the conductor.

23. A neuromodulation assembly comprising:

a lead body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the lead body having a curvature that mimics the curvature of the trunk, genu, splenium, or rostrum of the corpus callosum in an operative position of the lead body;

an electrical contact exposed at the bottom surface and not the top surface of the lead body;

a conductor coupled to the electrical contact and extending from the lead body;

an anchor disposed on the conductor; and

a pulse generator programmed to stimulate a region of the corpus callosum.

24. A method of stimulating a corpus callosum, the method comprising:

placing the neuromodulation assembly of claim 1 in communication with a corpus callosum; and

activating the electrical contact to apply an electrical signal to the corpus callosum to stimulate the corpus callosum.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the electrical contact comprises a plurality of electrical contacts.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the lead body of the neuromodulation assembly is delivered to the corpus callosum intravascularly.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the corpus callosum has an under-surface and the lead body is placed on the under-surface of the corpus callosum.