Combination electrical stimulating and infusion medical device

A combined electrical and chemical stimulation lead especially adapted for inserting within an intervertebral disc for treatment of target tissue therein, said device comprising:

• an introducer needle having a proximal portion extending along a longitudinal axis, and a distal portion bent at a desired angle with respect to said longitudinal axis, said introducer needle having a central passageway formed therethrough;
• a stimulation lead having an elongate, tubular configuration, and a central lumen extending therethrough;
• a plurality of infusion ports communicating with said central lumen, said infusion ports enabling infusion of chemical/nutrients from the central lumen to tissue located exterior of said stimulation lead;
• a plurality of electrodes positioned on said stimulation lead adjacent said infusion ports, said electrodes communicating with a source of electrical energy for providing electrical/thermal stimulation of tissue adjacent said electrodes;
• and
• wherein said stimulation lead has a distal end bent at a desired angle enabling said stimulation lead to traverse in an arcuate path through said disc.

A stimulation system for stimulating target tissue within an intervertebral disc of a patient, said system comprising:

• an introducer needle extending into the disc;
• a stimulation lead having an elongate, tubular configuration, and a central lumen extending therethrough, said stimulation lead extending through the introducer needle and into the disc;
• a plurality of infusion ports formed on said stimulation lead and communicating with said central lumen, said infusion ports enabling infusion of chemical/nutrients from the central lumen to tissue located exterior of said stimulation lead;
• a plurality of electrodes positioned on said stimulation lead adjacent said infusion ports, said electrodes communicating with a source of electrical energy for providing electrical/thermal stimulation of tissue adjacent said electrodes, wherein said stimulation lead has a distal end bent at a desired angle enabling said stimulation lead to traverse in an arcuate path through said disc;
• an electrical stimulation source for generating electrical/thermal stimulation pulses for transmission through said stimulation lead to said electrodes to cause the electrodes to deliver electrical/thermal stimulation pulses to the target tissue;
• and
• a chemical stimulation source for supplying chemicals/nutrients through said stimulation lead and through said infusion ports for delivery of the chemical/nutrients to the target tissue.

A method for treating intervertebral disc ailments, said method comprising the steps of:

• inserting an introducer needle into the disc to be treated;
• introducing a combined electrical and chemical stimulation device through said introducer needle and into the disc, said device comprising:
• a stimulation lead having an elongate, tubular configuration, and a central lumen extending therethrough;
• a plurality of infusion ports formed on said stimulation lead and communicating with said central lumen, said infusion ports enabling infusion of chemical/nutrients from the central lumen to tissue located exterior of said stimulation lead;
• a plurality of electrodes positioned on said stimulation lead adjacent said infusion ports, said electrodes communicating with a source of electrical energy for providing electrical/thermal stimulation of tissue adjacent said electrodes wherein said stimulation lead has a distal end bent at a desired angle;
• maneuvering the stimulation lead through the disc in an arcuate pattern wherein the distal portion of said stimulation lead is placed adjacent the tissue to be treated;
• inserting an electrical stimulation source into the patient, the electrical stimulation source communicating with said stimulation lead to generate electrical pulses for energizing said electrodes and to deliver electrical/thermal energy to target tissue;
• and
• inserting a chemical stimulation source into the patient, said chemical stimulation source communicating with said stimulation lead to provide chemical/nutrients through said central lumen and through said infusion ports thereby delivering chemical/nutrients to the target tissue.

A method of managing intervertebral disc pain, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a stimulation lead having a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of infusion ports, said electrodes and infusion ports being selectively spaced and arranged with one another;
• implanting the stimulation lead in the disc so that the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of infusion ports lie adjacent to a targeted area within the disc;
• and
• delivering electrical energy from the electrodes to the disc;
• delivering at least one chemical through the infusion ports into the disc.

A method of stimulating a healing response from a damaged intervertebral disc, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a stimulation lead having a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of infusion ports, said electrodes and said infusion ports being selectievely spaced and arranged with one another;
• implanting the stimulation lead in the disc so that the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of infusion ports lie adjacent to a targeted area within the disc;
• delivering electrical energy from the electrodes to the disc;
• and
• delivering at least one chemical through the infusion ports into the disc.