Patent · US Active

System and method for electrical stimulation of the intervertebral disc

US8359101B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by

31References

7Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. · US

Inventors

Philip M. Finch · Gidgegannup, AU
Scott Drees · McKinney, US
John H. Erickson · Plano, US

Key dates

Filing date	Dec 23, 2011
Grant date	Jan 22, 2013
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Dec 23, 2031

Classification

Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
CPC primaryA61N1/0558
WIPO fieldMedical technology
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method electrically stimulates an area in a spinal disc. The method comprises: implanting at least one steerable lead at a placement site for stimulating a spinal disc such that the lead is disposed exterior and immediately adjacent to and circumferentially along an annulus of the spinal disc, the at least one lead including a plurality of electrodes distributed along a majority of a circumference of the annulus; connecting the lead to a signal generator; and generating electrical stimulation pulses using the generator to stimulate targeted portions of the spinal disc, wherein the stimulation of the targeted portion of the spinal disc sufficiently stimulates nerve tissue within the spinal disc to prevent communication of pain signals originating in the spinal disc without damaging tissue of the spinal disc.

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