Techniques for positioning therapy delivery elements within a spinal cord or a brain

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problems associated with lead migration, patient movement or position, histological changes, neural plasticity or disease progression. The present invention discloses techniques for implanting a lead having therapy delivery elements, such as electrodes or drug delivery ports, within a vertebral or cranial bone so as to maintain these elements in a fixed position relative to a desired treatment site. The therapy delivery elements may thereafter be adjusted in situ with a position control mechanism and/or a position controller to improve the desired treatment therapy. The present invention also discloses techniques for non-invasively positioning and re-positioning therapy delivery elements after implant to provide electrical stimulation and/or drug infusion to a precise target. A position control mechanism and/or a position controller are provided for adjusting in situ the position of the therapy delivery elements relative to the targeted tissue of interest. The therapy delivery elements may be positioned laterally in any direction relative to the targeted treatment site or toward or away from the targeted treatment site. A control system may be provided for open- or closed-loop feedback control of the position of the therapy delivery elements as well as other aspects of the treatment therapy.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.