Fully implantable miniature neurostimulator for stimulation as a therapy for epilepsy

• US 6,788,975 B1
• Filed: 01/24/2002
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics Corporation (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Whitehurst, Todd K., McGivern, James P., Kuzma, Janusz A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jastrzab, Jeffrey R.
• Application Number:
  US10/057,115
• Publication Number:
  US 20040172089A1
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 607/45, 607/72, 607/115, 607/116, 607/118
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36064 Epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula

Abstract

A small implantable stimulator(s) with at least two electrodes is small enough to have the electrodes located adjacent to a nerve structure at least partially responsible for epileptic seizures. The small stimulator provides a means of stimulating a nerve structure(s) when desired, and may be implanted via a minimal surgical procedure.

Claims

1. A method for treating a patient with epilepsy, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one means for stimulating tissue;

implanting the at least one stimulating means adjacent to at least one nerve structure at least in part responsible for epileptic seizures;

providing operating power to the at least one stimulating means;

transmitting stimulation parameters to the at least one stimulating means using at least one external appliance;

receiving and storing the stimulation parameters;

generating stimulation pulses in accordance with the stimulation parameters; and

delivering the stimulation pulses to nerves structures adjacent to the at least one stimulating means;

wherein the stimulating means has a size and shape suitable for placement near the at least one nerve and has leads up to 150 mm long.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the body of the stimulator is no more than 150 mm from the at least one nerve structure to be stimulated.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one nerve structure comprises at least one of a trigeminal nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve, a trigeminal ganglion, an ophthalmic nerve, a branch of the ophthalmic nerve, a maxillary nerve, a branch of the maxillary nerve, a mandibular nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve, a greater occipital nerve, a branch of the greater occipital nerve, a lesser occipital nerve, a branch of the lesser occipital nerve, a third occipital nerve, a branch of the third occipital nerve, a facial nerve, a branch of the facial nerve, a glossopharyngeal nerve, and a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve.