Systems and methods for restoring muscle function to the lumbar spine
First Claim
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1. A method for restoring muscle function to the lumbar spine, the method comprising:
- implanting one or more electrodes in or adjacent to tissue associated with control of the lumbar spine;
implanting an implantable pulse generator in communication with the one or more electrodes;
transmitting a stimulation command from an activator to the implantable pulse generator;
electrically stimulating the tissue via at least one electrode of the one or more electrodes responsive to the stimulation command;
improving lumbar spine stability by rehabilitating function of one or more of a multifidus, transverse abdominus, quadratus lumborum, psoas major, internus abdominus, obliquus externus abdominus, and erector spinae muscles responsive to the electrically stimulating.
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Abstract
A system for restoring muscle function to the lumbar spine to treat low back pain is provided. The system may include electrodes coupled to an implantable pulse generator (IPG), a handheld activator configured to transfer a stimulation command to the IPG, and an external programmer configured to transfer programming data to the IPG. The stimulation command directs the programmable controller to stimulate the tissue in accordance with the programming data. The system may include a software-based programming system run on a computer such that the treating physician may program and adjust stimulation parameters.
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Citations
70 Claims
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1. A method for restoring muscle function to the lumbar spine, the method comprising:
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implanting one or more electrodes in or adjacent to tissue associated with control of the lumbar spine; implanting an implantable pulse generator in communication with the one or more electrodes; transmitting a stimulation command from an activator to the implantable pulse generator; electrically stimulating the tissue via at least one electrode of the one or more electrodes responsive to the stimulation command; improving lumbar spine stability by rehabilitating function of one or more of a multifidus, transverse abdominus, quadratus lumborum, psoas major, internus abdominus, obliquus externus abdominus, and erector spinae muscles responsive to the electrically stimulating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for restoring muscle function to the lumbar spine, the method comprising:
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electrically stimulating tissue associated with control of the lumbar spine via one or more electrodes implanted in or adjacent to the tissue; improving lumbar spine stability by rehabilitating function of one or more of a multifidus, transverse abdominus, quadratus lumborum, psoas major, internus abdominus, obliquus externus abdominus, and erector spinae muscles responsive to the electrically stimulating. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. An activator for use in a system for restoring muscle function to the lumbar spine, the activator comprising:
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a user interface configured to interact with a user; an activator communications circuit configured to communicate with an implantable pulse generator (IPG) communications circuit; and a programmable controller configured to cause the activator communications circuit to transmit a stimulation command to the IPG communications circuit to cause one or more electrodes in communication with an IPG housing the IPG communications circuit to electrically stimulate tissue associated with control of the lumbar spine to improve lumbar spine stability and rehabilitate function of one or more of a multifidus, transverse abdominus, quadratus lumborum, psoas major, internus abdominus, obliquus externus abdominus, and erector spinae muscles responsive to electrical stimulation. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70)
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Specification