Combination electrical stimulating and infusion method

• US 8,323,277 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2011
• Issued: 12/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley D. Vilims
• Original Assignee: Bradley D. Vilims
• Inventors: Vilims, Bradley D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Scott, Amanda
• Application Number:
  US13/271,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20120029420A1
• Time in Patent Office: 419 Days
• Field of Search: 606 32- 45
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0044 Spinal cord
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0043 characterised by structural features
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts

Abstract

A combined electrical and chemical stimulation lead is especially adapted for providing treatment to the spine and nervous system. The stimulation lead includes electrodes that may be selectively positioned along various portions of the stimulation lead in order to precisely direct electrical energy to ablate or electrically stimulate the target tissue. The invention also includes a method of activating electrodes in the electrical stimulation lead whereby an ablative lesion can be formed in a desired shape and size. The invention further includes a method of managing pain in a sacrum of a patient, and a method of assembling an electrical stimulation device.

Claims

1. A method of managing SI joint pain in a sacrum of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a stimulation lead having (i) a body with a curve extending along a length thereof, and said stimulation lead having a distal end with a bend incorporated thereon to assist in steering said stimulation lead and (ii) a plurality of electrodes positioned on said stimulation lead, said electrodes communicating with a source of electrical energy;

inserting the stimulation lead into a patient in a position to lie captured under an ilium of the patient and in contact with a sacrum of the patient, on or directly medial to a dorsal SI joint of the patient; and

activating said plurality of electrodes to denervate tissue surrounding the stimulation lead, including lateral branches of nerves within a defined enclosed space between the ilium and sacrum and spaced from an origin of the lateral branches.

2. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further including the step of:

infusing through said stimulation lead at least one chemical selected from the group consisting of an anesthetic, a neurolytic, a proliferant, and a nutrient.

3. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said plurality of electrodes are spaced along a length of said stimulation lead.