# US 2026/0061186 A1 · Methods and systems for implanting a neuromodulation system at a surgically open spinal treatment site > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2026/0061186 A1 - Document ID: US20260061186A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 19/384,459 - Filed: 2025-11-10 - Published: 2026-03-05 - Earliest claimed: 2018-07-24 - Assignees: SynerFuse, Inc. - Applicants: SynerFuse, Inc. - Inventors: Michael Park; Matthew Hunt; Nazmi Peyman; Justin D. Zenanko; Christopher G. Frank; Beth A. Lindborg; Kyle Grube; Kathy Hill; Gregory F. Molnar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20260061186A1 ## CPC - A61N 1/0558: {Anchoring or fixation means therefor} - A61B 17/7002: {Longitudinal elements, e.g. rods} - A61B 17/7043: {with a longitudinal element fixed to one or more transverse elements which connect multiple screws or hooks} - A61B 17/7049: {Connectors, not bearing on the vertebrae, for linking longitudinal elements together (A61B17/7055, A61B17/7053, A61B17/7019 take precedence)} - A61N 1/36062: {Spinal stimulation} - A61N 1/36071: {Pain} - A61N 1/37518: {Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation} - A61B 5/4824: {Touch or pain perception evaluation (A61B5/4821 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/7074: {Tools specially adapted for spinal fixation operations other than for bone removal or filler handling (A61B17/7062, A61B17/808, A61B17/8858 take precedence; for spinal image producing devices A61B90/36, A61B34/20; markers A61B90/39)} - A61B 2017/564: {Methods for bone or joint treatment} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract The present invention provides a single surgical method, procedure and/or system that creates open visual and physical access to an identified spinal treatment site that initially comprises spinal levels to be treated, wherein the spinal levels comprise at least one dorsal root ganglion. A spinal treatment procedure is performed generally in combination with implantation of a neuromodulation system that may comprise placement of electrical lead(s) on the at least one dorsal root ganglion, wherein each lead is in operative connection with a pulse generator that may also be implanted during the surgical method. Electrical stimulation may be generated with the pulse generator through the electrical leads to the at least one dorsal root ganglion during and/or after the closure of the identified spinal treatment site. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for treating pain generated by a patient's spinal column in a combined procedure using vertebral stabilization and neuromodulation stimulation, comprising: identifying two or more targeted vertebral levels for vertebral stabilization; identifying one or more targeted spinal levels for neuromodulation stimulation, wherein the one or more targeted spinal levels comprise at least one targeted dorsal root ganglion; creating an open access into a resulting spinal treatment site and providing direct physical and visual access to the at least one targeted dorsal root ganglion; stabilizing the identified vertebral levels; and placing, using the direct physical and visual access, a neuromodulation system comprising: an implantable pulse generator, at least one electrical lead in operative electrical communication with the implantable pulse generator that is routed from the implantable pulse generator to the at least one dorsal root ganglion, and at least one electrode disposed at a distal end of the at least one electrical lead, wherein the at least one electrode is placed, using the direct physical and visual access, in direct contact with each of the at least one dorsal root ganglion at each of the one or more target spinal levels; and closing the open access, wherein the stabilizing of the identified vertebral levels comprises securing the identified vertebral levels with two bilaterally spaced apart fixation rods, wherein each fixation rod is secured to vertebral bone with two or more pedicle screws. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering a neuromodulation stimulation therapy with the neuromodulation system after closing the open access. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering a neuromodulation stimulation therapy with the neuromodulation system before closing the open access. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising: waiting a predetermined time period after closing the open access, then delivering neuromodulation stimulation therapy. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising: monitoring the patient's pain after closing the open access and, if not sufficiently mitigated, then delivering neuromodulation stimulation therapy. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein at least one identified targeted spinal level is located at least one level above the identified targeted vertebral levels. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein at least one identified targeted spinal level is located at least one level below the identified targeted vertebral levels. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein at least one identified targeted spinal level overlaps with the identified targeted vertebral levels. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein at least one identified targeted spinal level overlaps with the identified targeted vertebral levels. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein at least one identified targeted spinal level overlaps with the identified targeted vertebral levels. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying the midline of the patient's spinal column, and placing the implantable pulse generator along the midline of the patient's spinal column. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising routing the at least one electrical lead without crossing the midline of the patient's spinal column. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising placing the implantable pulse generator below each of the at least one electrodes placed in therapeutic proximity with each of the at least one targeted dorsal root ganglion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising placing the implantable pulse generator below at least one of the at least one electrodes placed in therapeutic proximity with each of the at least one targeted dorsal root ganglion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising placing the implantable pulse generator on one side of the midline of the spinal column. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising routing at least one electrical lead to cross the midline of the patient's spinal column. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising placing the implantable pulse generator below at least one of the at least one electrodes placed in therapeutic proximity with each of the at least one targeted dorsal root ganglion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the implantable pulse generator is affixed to at least one of the bilaterally spaced fixation rods. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the implantable pulse generator is secured along at least one of the bilaterally spaced fixation rods with at least one pedicle screw. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising a spanning rod fixed between the two bilaterally spaced fixation rods. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising affixing the implantable pulse generator to the spanning rod.