US 6,529,774 B1Granted

Extradural leads, neurostimulator assemblies, and processes of using them for somatosensory and brain stimulation

AssigneeNeuroPace, Inc.

InventorDavid A. Greene

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Abstract

This is directed to a neurostimulator assembly that is preferably implantable and is suitable for treating epilepsy and other neurological disorders. The assembly includes inventive leads that are suitable both for providing electrical somatosensory stimulation, extradurally applied, as well as electrical stimulation that is applied to the central nervous system. The leads are preferably also suitable for sensing electrical signals in the brain. The invention includes processes of using the neurostimulator and its leads. The neurostimulator may independently provide a variety of different electrical stimulation, e.g., non-responsive electrical stimulation signals applied to the central nervous system to reduce the likelihood of a seizure or other undesirable neurological even from occurring, electrical stimulation signals applied to the central nervous system when the neurostimulator determines that epileptiform waveforms are impending or extant, and extradural electrical somatosensory stimulation signals. The responsive electrical stimulation signal or signals are intended to terminate epileptiform activity, e.g., to desynchronize abnormally synchronous brain electrical activity.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A combination lead having multiple electrodes configured both to provide extradural electrical stimulation to an electrically sensitive region of a human body and to provide intracranial electrical stimulation to the brain, comprising

a.) an elongate member having a distal and a proximal end,
b.) at least one or more electrodes located relatively distally on said elongate member for at least one of providing electrical stimulation to said human brain or sensing electrical activity in said brain,
c.) at least one somatosensory stimulation electrode located relatively more proximal with respect to said distal at least one or more electrodes on said elongate member and further placed on and situated on said elongate member to provide electrical stimulation extradurally to said electrically sensitive region of a human body when said at least one distal electrode is in contact with said human brain, and
d.) at least one contact for electrical connection to an implanted implantable neurostimulator central unit, said at least one contact located most proximal on said elongate member and equaling in number the sum of the at least one distal electrodes plus said at least one somatosensory stimulation electrode and each at least one contact is uniquely, electrically connected to a one of said at least one distal electrodes or said at least one somatosensory stimulation electrode.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.