Devices and methods for brain stimulation

• US 8,938,308 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2014
• Issued: 01/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Meadows, Paul M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gedeon, Brian T
• Application Number:
  US14/274,606
• Publication Number:
  US 20140249598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 256 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 607/115
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• 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 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

A device for brain stimulation that includes n lead having a longitudinal surface; at least one stimulation electrode disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead; and at least one recording electrode, separate from the at least one stimulation electrode, disposed along she longitudinal surface of the lead.

Claims

1. A device for electrical stimulation, comprising:

a lead having a longitudinal surface and a circumference;

a plurality of first electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead, each first electrode being a ring; and

a plurality of second electrodes separate from the first electrodes, wherein the second electrodes are divided into a plurality of sets, each set comprising at least two second electrodes disposed at intervals around the circumference of the lead at a same longitudinal position along the lead, wherein at least one of the first electrodes is separated from all other first electrodes by at least one set of second electrodes.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein each set of second electrodes is separated from other sets of second electrodes by at least one of the first electrodes.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the second electrodes of each set are disposed at regular intervals around the circumference of the lead.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sets of second electrodes comprises four second electrodes disposed around the circumference of the lead at 90°

intervals.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sets of second electrodes comprises three second electrodes disposed around the circumference of the lead at 120°

intervals.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the lead defines a lumen having a non-circular lateral cross-section extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the lead.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the lumen has a cruciform lateral cross-section.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the lumen has a star-shaped lateral cross-section.

9. The device of claim 6, further comprising a stylet having a lateral cross-section corresponding to the lateral cross-section of the lumen.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a microdrive motor system coupled to the lead to facilitate positioning of the lead in a brain of a patient.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the microdrive motor system is configured and arranged to be responsive to signals from at least one of the first or second electrodes.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein each set of second electrodes comprises at least three second electrodes.

16. A method for brain stimulation, the method comprising:

inserting the lead of the device of claim 1 into a patient;

identifying target neurons using the second electrodes; and

stimulating the target neurons using at least one of the first electrodes.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising inserting a stylet into the lead to assist in inserting the lead into the patient.

18. The method of claim 17, where the lead defines a lumen having a non-circular lateral cross-section extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the lead and the stylet has a corresponding non-circular lateral cross-section, the method further comprising rotating the lead by rotating the stylet.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein inserting the lead comprising using a microdrive motor system coupled to the lead to insert and position of the lead in the patient.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein using a microdrive motor system comprises rotating the lead using the microdrive motor system in response to signals from at least one of the first or second electrodes.

13. A device for electrical stimulation, comprising:

a lead having a longitudinal surface and a circumference, wherein the lead is configured and arranged for implantation in a patient;

a plurality of stimulation electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead and configured and arranged for stimulation of patient tissue, each stimulation electrode having a square or rectangular shape; and

a plurality of sets of recording electrodes separate from the at least one stimulation electrode each set of recording electrodes comprises a plurality of recording electrodes disposed at intervals around the circumference of the lead at a same longitudinal position along the lead, wherein at least one of the stimulation electrodes is separated from all other stimulation electrodes by at least one set of recording electrodes.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein at least one of the recording electrodes is surrounded by a one of the stimulation electrodes.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein each set of second electrodes is separated from other sets of second electrodes by at least one of the first electrodes.