Systems and methods for treating shoulder pain related to subacromial impingement syndrome

• US 9,381,343 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2014
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPR Therapeutics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SPR Therapeutics, LLC (SPR Therapeutics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bennett, Maria E., Boggs, Joseph W. II, Chae, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavert, Nicole F
• Application Number:
  US14/536,951
• Publication Number:
  US 20150134037A1
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 607/9, 607/116, 606/32, 606/45
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/025 Digital circuitry features of electrotherapy devices, e.g. memory, clocks, processors
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0502 Skin piercing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0504 Subcutaneous electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for treating chronic pain occurring secondarily to subacromial impingement syndrome in a human body. A system is provided to deliver percutaneous electrical stimulation through at least one electrode to neurological motor points of the posterior and middle deltoid muscles to mediate such pain. One-time, continued and/or periodic dosing of treatment methods according to the present invention may result in a change to central nervous system maladaptive neuroplasticity.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

percutaneously inserting a lead into a patient;

placing an electrode in subepidermal tissue of the patient, the electrode operatively coupled with the lead; and

delivering electrical stimulation through the electrode producing a muscle contraction in a target area and altering maladaptive neuroplasticity in a central nervous system of the patient producing a therapeutic effect.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein during the delivering step, a level of pain perceived by the patient, whereby the pain was caused by or occurring secondarily to subacromial impingement syndrome, is reduced.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient is a human.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the lead is attached with the electrode.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode is formed as part of the lead.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode is carried on the lead.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode extends from a conductor attached with the lead.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the lead includes a portion having an insulated body and the electrode is formed from a portion of the lead free of the insulated body.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic effect is a reduction in pain.

9. A method comprising the steps of:

percutaneously inserting a lead into a patient;

placing an electrode in subepidermal tissue of the patient, the electrode operatively coupled with the lead; and

delivering electrical stimulation through the electrode to generate a muscle contraction in a target area and reduce central hypersensitivity in the patient producing a therapeutic effect.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein parameters of the electrical stimulation comprise 12 Hz, 20 mA and a pulse duration of 60 μ

s.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the electrode is spaced an electrically effective distance from a neurological motor point.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the reduction central hypersensitivity in the patient reduces chronic pain in the patient.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the pain is caused by or secondarily to subacromial impingement syndrome.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the electrode is spaced an electrically effective distance from a neurological motor point.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the therapeutic effect is a reduction in pain.

17. A method comprising the steps of:

percutaneously inserting a lead into a patient;

placing an electrode in subepidermal tissue of the patient, the electrode operatively coupled with the lead; and

delivering electrical stimulation through the electrode to generate a muscle contraction in a target area and sustain functional reorganization of maladaptive neuroplastic changes of a nervous system of the patient associated with chronic pain.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the electrode is spaced an electrically effective distance from a neurological motor point.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein parameters of the electrical stimulation comprise 12 Hz, 20 mA and a pulse duration of 60 μ

s.

20. A method comprising the steps of:

percutaneously inserting a lead into a tissue of a human; and

delivering stimulation through at least one electrode operatively coupled with the lead to a neurological motor point of the human generating a muscle contraction in a target area changing central nervous system maladaptive neuroplasticity of the human producing a therapeutic effect.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the electrode is spaced an electrically effective distance from the neurological motor point.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein parameters of the stimulation comprise 12 Hz, 20 mA and a pulse duration of 60 μ

s.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one electrode consists of a single electrode.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the delivering step relieves chronic pain.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein parameters of the electrical stimulation comprise 12 Hz, 20 mA and a pulse duration of 60 μ

s.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein the therapeutic effect is a reduction in pain.