Electrode array device configured for placement inside the dura for direct spinal cord stimulation

US9364660B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• University of Iowa Research Foundation · US
• University of Virginia Patent Foundation · US

Inventors

• Matthew A. Howard · Iowa City, US
• Timothy Brennan · Glen Allen, US
• Brian Dalm · Coralville, US
• Marcel Utz · Charlottesville, US
• George T. Gillies · Charlottesville, US
• Steven Scott · Pleasanton, US
• Randall S. Nelson · Rochester, US
• Robert Shurig · Saint Paul, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 11, 2011
• Grant date: Jun 14, 2016
• Expiry date: Nov 11, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/49117
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for treating intractable pain via electrical stimulation of the spinal cord. Remote, non-contact stimulation of a selected region of spinal cord is achieved by placement of a transceiver patch directly on the surface of that region of spinal cord, with said patch optionally being inductively coupled to a transmitter patch of similar size on either the outer or inner wall of the dura surrounding that region of the spinal cord. By inductively exchanging electrical power and signals between said transmitter and transceiver patches, and by carrying out the necessary electronic and stimulus signal distribution functions on the transceiver patch, the targeted dorsal column axons can be stimulated without the unintended stray stimulation of nearby dorsal rootlets. Novel configurations of a pliable surface-sheath and clamp or dentate ligament attachment features which realize undamaging attachment of the patch to the spinal cord are described.