| US 7,486,995 B2 | ||
| System and method for stimulation of a person's brain stem | ||
| Charles H. Tadlock, Henderson, Nev. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc., Plano, Tex. (US) | ||
| Filed on Dec. 20, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/316,648. | ||
| Application 11/316648 is a continuation of application No. 10/750788, filed on Jan. 02, 2004, granted, now 6,978,180. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2006/0136008 A1, Jun. 22, 2006 | ||
| Int. Cl. A61N 1/05 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 607—116 | 8 Claims |
| 1. A method for electrical stimulation of target nerve tissue in a person's brain stem, comprising:
selecting an electrical stimulation lead suited for implantation posteriorly on, in, or near the brain stem overlying the
medulla for electrical stimulation of target nerve tissue in the brain stem, the lead comprising a plurality of electrodes
adapted to be positioned posteriorly on, in, or near the brain stem overlying the medulla and to deliver electrical stimulation
energy to the target nerve tissue in the brain stem, the stimulation lead having a generally spiral natural configuration,
the spiral natural configuration comprising multiple turns, spacings between adjacent electrodes of the plurality of electrodes
being varied between respective turns of the spiral natural configuration;
creating an opening in the person's skull overlying the medulla;
inserting a guide wire into the lead;
inserting the lead, with the guide wire, through the opening in the skull overlying the medulla;
removing the guide wire from the lead; and
positioning the lead posteriorly on, in, or near the brain stem overlying the medulla for electrical stimulation of the target
nerve tissue in the brain stem, wherein, upon assuming its spiral natural configuration, electrodes of the stimulation lead
form a generally rectangular array overlying the medulla.
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