US 8,554,337 B2Granted

Electrode paddle for neurostimulation

OwnerGiancarlo Barolatinventor

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Abstract

An implantable electrode paddle for use in a neurostimulation system may include a dorsally-projecting lead that allows all of the edges of the electrode paddle to be situated near a vertebral body for stimulation of neural structures. Embodiments may include one or more flanges for cooperating with a vertebral body and thereby stabilizing the electrode paddle. Embodiments of the present invention may also include features to allow an electrode paddle to be divided during surgery. Embodiments of the present invention may also include an electrode paddle having a plurality of paddle sections, wherein at least one of the paddle sections comprises a plurality of asymmetrically configured contacts. Embodiments of the invention include a method of assembling a neurostimulation system and a method of implanting an implantable system in a body, wherein the implantable system includes an electrode paddle that may be divided into a plurality of paddle sections.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method of assembling a neurostimulation system that is implantable in a patient to stimulate neural structures, comprising:

providing an implantable pulse generator;
providing an implantable lead for transmitting an electrical stimulation pulse from the implantable pulse generator;
and
providing an electrode paddle having a plurality of separable paddle sections, wherein at least a first paddle section and a second paddle section of the plurality of separable paddle sections include a plurality of contacts;
wherein at least two contacts of the plurality of contacts of the first paddle section are aligned along a first axis and wherein at least two contacts of the plurality of contacts of the first paddle section are aligned along a second axis, and wherein the first axis of the first paddle section is substantially perpendicular to the second axis of the first paddle section;
wherein at least two contacts of the plurality of contacts of the second paddle section are aligned along a first axis and at least two contacts of the plurality of contacts of the second paddle section are aligned along a second axis wherein the first axis of the second paddle section is substantially perpendicular to the second axis of the second paddle section;
and
wherein the electrode paddle is electrically connected or interconnectable to the implantable pulse generator by the implantable lead.

5 more elements

An electrode paddle for use in an implantable neurostimulation system for implanting into a patient to stimulate neural structures within the patient, the implantable neurostimulation system including an implantable pulse generator and an electrode lead, the electrode lead in electrical communication with the implantable pulse generator, the implantable pulse generator for sending an electrical current to the electrode paddle by way of the electrode lead, the electrode paddle comprising:

a plurality of paddle sections formed of an implantable tissue compatible material including a first paddle section and a second paddle section wherein each of the plurality of paddle sections includes a stimulation surface including a plurality of conductive contacts in electrical communication with the electrode lead and an opposing insulating surface, wherein each of the plurality of paddle sections has a thickness between the stimulation surface and the opposing insulating surface, each of the paddle sections further including a length extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposing second end, and a width extending between a first lateral side and an opposing second lateral side, the length being greater than the width and the width being greater than the thickness, the first paddle section detachably attached to the second paddle section;
a stabilization flange formed of an implantable tissue compatible material located along at least a portion of the first paddle section;
a lead connection joined to the opposing insulating surface of the first paddle section and extending substantially perpendicular away from the opposing insulating surface of the first paddle section, the lead connection spaced from the first end, second end, first lateral side, and second lateral side;
and
a plurality of electrical conductors extending through the lead connection to the plurality of conductive contacts disposed on the stimulation surface of the first paddle section,
wherein the stabilization flange extends laterally away from the first lateral side of the first paddle section, the stabilization flange configured to engage adjacent tissue of a patient to stabilize the position of the electrode paddle, and
wherein the stimulation surface lies within a first plane, and the stabilization flange lies within a second plane, the second plane intersecting the first plane.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.