Method of intravascularly delivering stimulation leads into brain

Abstract

A method of treating a neurological disorder in a patient is provided. The method comprises intravascularly delivering a stimulation lead within the head of the patient, and placing the stimulation lead adjacent brain tissue (e.g., cortical brain tissue or deep brain tissue), the stimulation of which will treat the neurological disorder. The stimulation lead can be placed into indirect contact with the brain tissue (e.g., through a blood vessel) or indirect contact with the brain tissue (e.g., when placed within the ventricular cavity or by being introduced through an exit point within a vessel wall). Optionally, the method comprises implanting a source of stimulation within the patient's body, and then electrically coupling the proximal end of the stimulation lead, which conveniently extends from the access point within the circulatory system, to the implanted stimulation source. Using the stimulation lead, the brain tissue can then be stimulated in order to treat the neurological disorder.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is related to copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / ______ (attorney docket number 2024730-7037252001), filed on the same date, and expressly incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to the treatment of diseases, and in particular, the therapeutic treatment of tissue using electrical stimulation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] It is known to treat neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Tremor, and Epilepsy, and ischemia of the brain, such as stroke, by electrically stimulating selected portions of the brain. Currently, this is accomplished by first drilling a burr hole through the patient's cranium in order to gain access to the brain tissue. A stimulation lead, and in particular, a lead with multiple electrodes extending along its length, is then introduced through one or more burr holes into contact with the selected brain tissue. In a deep br...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] In accordance with the present invention, a method of treating a neurological disorder in a patient is provided. The neurological disorder can, e.g., be a degenerative disorder, such as Parkinson's, Essential Tremor, Epilepsy, and Huntington's, or a brain injury or infarction, such as stroke. The method comprises intravascularly delivering a stimulation lead within the head of the patient. For example, the stimulation lead can be delivered through the circulatory system, such as through a cerebral vein or artery. A suitable access point to the circulatory system, such as that made within the jugular vein, carotid artery, femoral vein, or femoral artery, can be used to introduce the stimulation lead into the circulatory system. Because the circulatory system extends throughout the brain tissue, it provides an excellent means for delivering a stimulation lead to virtually any region of the patient's brain in a minimally invasive manner. Alternatively, a stimulation lead can be delivered through the ventricular system, e.g., up the spinal canal and into the ventricular cavity deep within the patient's brain.

Problems solved by technology

Although the current brain stimulation techniques used to treat neurological disorders have proven to be successful, such techniques are still quite invasive, requiring the cranium to be opened through at least one burr hole.

In addition, the need for a burr hole further complicates the procedure-not only requiring the additional step of accessing the patient's cranium while attempting to minimize tissue trauma, but also requiring that the burr hole be capped at the end of the procedure.

Also, additional risks are posed by the possibility that the burr hole may become infected and the routing of the stimulation or extension leads through the neck in close proximity to the jugular veins and carotid arteries.

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