Apparatus and method for treating headaches
AssigneeSpr Therapeutics, Inc.
InventorsJoseph W. Boggs, II, Amorn Wongsarnpigoon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure generally relates to a system for treating headaches and other pain associated with the occipital nerves. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a system of treating pain by selectively activating specific nerve fibers with a single, fault-resistant contact situated proximate to, but not in direct contact with, portions of one or more the occipital nerves. Additional measures ensure the lead does not migrate or fracture, resulting in long-lasting pain relief.
Claims17
A method for treating pain in a patient, the method comprising:
- verifying the pain is associated with regions innervated by at least one of the patient's occipital nerves so as to identify a targeted region of at least one occipital nerve;
- positioning a flexible, coiled neurostimulation lead having a single electrode percutaneously proximate to, but not in direct physical contact with, the targeted region, wherein the electrode comprises a plurality of conductive members, each conductive member being wired in parallel to an electrical stimulation device;
- delivering preliminary therapy for a period of time via the lead while simultaneously preventing migration of the lead, the preliminary therapy comprising pulsed electrical signals sufficient to activate the occipital nerve to provide pain relief without stimulating muscle contractions and sensations of discomfort;
- and
- removing the lead after the patient reports a reduction in pain.
A method for treating pain in a patient, the method comprising:
- verifying the pain is associated with regions innervated by at least one of the patient's occipital nerves so as to identify a targeted region of at least one occipital nerve;
- positioning a flexible, coiled neurostimulation lead having a single electrode percutaneously proximate to, but not in direct physical contact with, the targeted region, wherein the electrode comprises a plurality of conductive members;
- surgically implanting a subcutaneous electrical stimulation device proximate to one of the patient's upper chest, clavicle, skull and neck;
- connecting the lead to the electrical stimulation device so that each conductive member is wired in parallel to the electrical stimulation device;
- subcutaneously fixing the electrical stimulation device within the patient;
- and
- delivering neurostimulation therapy via the electrode while simultaneously preventing migration of the lead, the therapy comprising pulsed electrical signals sufficient to activate the occipital nerve to provide pain relief without stimulating muscle contractions and sensations of discomfort.
A method for treating pain in a patient, the method comprising:
- verifying the pain is associated with regions innervated by at least one of the patient's occipital nerves so as to identify a targeted region of at least one occipital nerve;
- positioning a flexible, coiled neurostimulation lead having a single electrode percutaneously proximate to, but not in direct physical contact with, the targeted region, wherein the electrode comprises a plurality of conductive members wired in parallel to an electrical stimulation device;
- and
- delivering therapy for a period of time via the lead while simultaneously preventing migration of the lead, the therapy comprising pulsed electrical signals sufficient to sufficient to activate the occipital nerve to provide pain relief without stimulating muscle contractions and sensations of discomfort.
The method according to 7, wherein the lead includes shielding to directionally transmit the pulsed signals to the targeted region while simultaneously preventing the pulsed signals from stimulating non-targeted nerves.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.