S1 nerve root stimulation systems and methods

A system for treating a patient presenting with peripheral vascular disease, the system comprising:

• a treatment device having an electrode region, a spacer region located proximal to the electrode region, and a tined region located proximal to the spacer region, wherein the treatment device is configured for anchoring within the patient, such that the tined region is disposed dorsal to an S1 posterior sacral foramen of the patient, the spacer region is disposed within the spinal canal and lateral to a thecal sac of the patient, a proximal portion of the electrode region is disposed within the spinal canal, a distal portion of the electrode region is disposed anterior to an S1 anterior sacral foramen corresponding to the S1 posterior sacral foramen, and an electrode of the electrode region is disposed at a spinal nerve root of an S1 nerve of the patient, distal to a dorsal root ganglion of the S1 nerve, distal to a dorsal ramus of the S1 nerve, and adjacent to an entry zone of a gray rami communicans of the S1 nerve;
• a processor;
• an electronic storage location operatively coupled with the processor;
• and
• processor executable code stored on the electronic storage location and embodied in a tangible non-transitory computer readable medium,
• wherein the processor executable code, when executed by the processor, causes the treatment device to deliver an electrical stimulation treatment from the electrode region of the treatment device to the patient, to simultaneously modulate visceral afferent fibers and postganglionic sympathetic neurons of the patient.

A method of stimulating a spinal nerve root of an S1 nerve of a patient, the method comprising:

• advancing a treatment device along an insertion path into the patient, wherein the treatment device comprises an electrode region, a spacer region located proximal to the electrode region, and a tined region located proximal to the spacer region, and wherein the insertion path is disposed lateral to a thecal sac, through a spinal canal, and into and through an S1 foramen of a sacral vertebral body of the patient;
• anchoring the treatment device within the patient, such that the tined region is disposed dorsal to the spinal canal, the spacer region is disposed lateral to the thecal sac, and an electrode of the electrode region is disposed to an anterior border of the sacral vertebral body of the patient;
• and
• delivering an electrical stimulation treatment from the electrode of the treatment device to a treatment location of the patient, wherein the treatment location is disposed on a spinal nerve root of an S1 nerve of the patient, distal to a dorsal root ganglion of the S1 nerve, distal to a dorsal ramus of the S1 nerve, and adjacent to an entry zone of a gray rami communicans of the S1 nerve, and wherein delivery of the electrical stimulation treatment operates to simultaneously modulate visceral afferent fibers and postganglionic sympathetic neurons at the treatment location,
• wherein the patient presents with a condition selected from the group consisting of peripheral vascular disease, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome, and Raynaud's syndrome.

A method of treating a patient, the method comprising:

• advancing a treatment device along an insertion path into the patient, wherein the treatment device comprises an electrode region, and wherein the insertion path is disposed through a foramen of a vertebral body of the patient;
• anchoring the treatment device within the patient, such that a distal portion of the electrode region is in an extraforaminal region;
• and
• delivering an electrical stimulation treatment from the electrode region of the treatment device to a treatment location of the patient, wherein the treatment location is disposed on a spinal nerve root of a spinal nerve of the patient, and wherein delivery of the electrical stimulation treatment operates to simultaneously modulate visceral afferent fibers and postganglionic sympathetic neurons at the treatment location.