Systems and methods for treating essential tremor or restless leg syndrome using spinal cord stimulation

• US 9,561,371 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2014
• Issued: 02/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Elborno, Ahmed A.
• Primary Examiner(s): DIETRICH, JOSEPH M
• Application Number:
  US14/531,818
• Publication Number:
  US 20150066105A1
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36067 Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections

Abstract

A method for treating essential tremor or restless leg syndrome using spinal cord stimulation includes implanting a lead near a spinal cord of a patient. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed on a distal end of the lead and electrically coupled to at least one contact terminal disposed on a proximal end of the lead. Electrical signals are provided from a control module coupled to the lead to stimulate a portion of the spinal cord of the patient using at least one of the electrodes. The electrical signals reduce, alleviate, or eliminate at least one adverse effect of essential tremor or restless leg syndrome.

Claims

1. A method for treating essential tremor or Parkinsonism using spinal cord stimulation, the method comprising:

implanting a lead in an epidural space of a spinal cord of a patient at a position adjacent to one or more segments of the spinal cord, wherein each of the one or more segments are lumbar or sacral segments or thoracic segments in a range from T7 to T12, the lead comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed on a distal end of the lead and electrically coupled to at least one contact terminal disposed on a proximal end of the lead; and

providing electrical signals from a control module coupled to the lead to stimulate the one or more segments of the spinal cord of the patient adjacent to which the lead is implanted using at least one of the electrodes, wherein the electrical signals reduce, alleviate, or eliminate at least one adverse effect of essential tremor or Parkinsonism.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein implanting the lead comprises implanting the lead such that at least one of the electrodes is in proximity to a segment of the spinal cord to which at least one nerve attaches, the at least one nerve also attaching to at least one skeletal muscle at a portion of the patient'"'"'s body that is adversely affected by essential tremor or Parkinsonism.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein implanting the lead comprises implanting the lead near a portion of the spinal cord with nerve roots extending to a lower extremity.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical signals reduce, alleviate, or eliminate tremors associated with essential tremor or bradykinesia, shuffling gate, stooping posture, or tremors associated with Parkinsonism.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the electrical signals reduce, alleviate, or eliminate pain associated with essential tremor or Parkinsonism.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein implanting the lead comprises implanting at least one of a percutaneous lead, a paddle lead, or a cuff lead.

7. The method of claim 3, further comprising adjusting stimulation parameters of the electrical signals to reduce, alleviate, or eliminate the at least one adverse effect of essential tremor or Parkinsonism.

8. A method for treating restless leg syndrome using spinal cord stimulation, the method comprising:

implanting a lead in an epidural space of a spinal cord of a patient at a position adjacent to one or more segments of the spinal cord, wherein each of the one or more segments are lumbar or sacral segments or thoracic segments in a range from T7 to T12, the lead comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed on a distal end of the lead and electrically coupled to at least one contact terminal disposed on a proximal end of the lead; and

providing electrical signals from a control module coupled to the lead to stimulate the one or more segments of the spinal cord of the patient adjacent to which the lead is implanted using at least one of the electrodes, wherein the electrical signals reduce, alleviate, or eliminate at least one adverse effect of restless leg syndrome.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein implanting the lead comprises implanting the lead such that at least one of the electrodes is in proximity to a segment of the spinal cord to which at least one nerve attaches, the at least one nerve also attaching to at least one skeletal muscle at a portion of the patient'"'"'s body that is adversely affected by restless leg syndrome.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein implanting the lead comprises implanting the lead near a portion of the spinal cord with nerve roots extending to a lower extremity.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the electrical signals reduce, alleviate, or eliminate unpleasant sensations associated with restless leg syndrome.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the electrical signals reduce, alleviate, or eliminate pain associated with restless leg syndrome.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein implanting the lead comprises implanting at least one of a percutaneous lead, a paddle lead, or a cuff lead.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising adjusting stimulation parameters of the electrical signals to reduce, alleviate, or eliminate the at least one adverse effect of restless leg syndrome.