Patent · US Active

Surgical lead paddle

US8108051B2 · kind B2 · utility

41Cited by

32References

19Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Medtronic, Inc. · US

Inventors

Thomas E. Cross, Jr. · St. Francis, US
Gabor Racz · Lubbock, US

Key dates

Filing date	Feb 22, 2010
Grant date	Jan 31, 2012
Priority date	—
Expiry date	May 20, 2030

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10T29/49174
WIPO fieldMedical technology
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention provides for an improved apparatus and method for electrical stimulation. A paddle having a thickness up to 0.030 inches is implanted adjacent the spinal cord dura mater to reduce the likelihood of paralysis due to stress on the spinal cord attributed to bulkier leads. The paddle is then positioned so that at least one of a plurality of electrodes is positioned over the area of the spinal cord requiring pain treatment; and then electric stimulation is applied to the electrodes to effect pain treatment. In another embodiment the paddle is curved about a vertical axis to substantially match the shape of a human spinal cord dura mater to help reduce lead migration.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.