Peripheral nerve field stimulation and spinal cord stimulation

US8644941B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Medtronic, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Ethan A. Rooney · White Bear Lake, US
• Carl D. Wahlstrand · Lino Lakes, US
• Gary W. King · Fridley, US
• Thomas E. Cross, Jr. · St. Francis, US
• Jeffrey S. Evanson · Minneapolis, US
• Kenneth T. Heruth · Edina, US
• Paul W. Wacnik · Minneapolis, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 9, 2006
• Grant date: Feb 4, 2014
• Expiry date: Sep 26, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/3756
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Delivery of peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) in combination with one or more other therapies is described. The other therapy delivered in combination with PNFS may be, for example, a different type of neurostimulation, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS), or a drug. PNFS and the other therapy may be delivered simultaneously, in an alternating fashion, according to a schedule, and/or selectively, e.g., in response to a request received from a patient or clinician. A combination therapy that includes PNFS may be able to more completely address complex or multifocal pain than would be possible through delivery of either PNFS or other therapies alone. Further, the combination of PNFS with one or more other therapies may reduce the likelihood that neural accommodation will impair the perceived effectiveness PNFS or the other therapies.