Peripheral nerve stimulation to treat auditory dysfunction

• US 8,433,418 B2
• Filed: 11/02/2009
• Issued: 04/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: DeRidder, Dirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATTON, AMANDA K
• Application Number:
  US12/610,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20100256707A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,275 Days
• Field of Search: 607 1- 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 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/361 Phantom sensations, e.g. tinnitus
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue

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.

Claims

1. A method of alleviating auditory dysfunction comprising:

identifying a neurological auditory dysfunction in a patient;

positioning at least one stimulation lead having a plurality of electrodes within the patient such that at least one electrode of the stimulation lead is positioned in subcutaneous tissue of an occipital area of the patient and the stimulation lead is positioned below the skin and superior to the periosteum; and

generating electrical pulses from an implantable pulse generator through the stimulation lead to electrically stimulate the occipital area thereby alleviating auditory dysfunction in the patient.

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