Abstract: According to one aspect, a stimulation system is provided for electrically stimulating a predetermined site to treat a neurological condition. The system includes an electrical stimulation lead adapted for implantation into a subcutaneous area in communication with a predetermined site, wherein the site is neuronal tissue that is associated with C2/C3 dermatome area, or stimulating cervical nerve roots and/or stimulating cranial nerves and/or stimulating any area associated with the occipital area. The stimulation lead includes one or more stimulation electrodes adapted to be positioned in the predetermined site. The system also includes a stimulation source that generates the stimulation pulses for transmission to the one or more stimulation electrodes of the stimulation lead to deliver the stimulation pulses to the predetermined site to treat a neurological disorder or condition.

Abstract: There is disclosed various embodiments of an electrical connection for electrically connecting implantable medical devices together, such as an electrical connector for connecting an implantable pulse generator to a medical lead. In one embodiment, the electrical connection may include a body having a longitudinal opening defined therein for receiving an electrode of the medical lead and a spring coupled to the body and positioned within the opening, the spring having a curved surface for engaging the surface of the electrode.

Abstract: The present application relates to a new stimulation design which can be utilized to treat neurological conditions. The stimulation system produces a burst mode stimulation which alters the neuronal activity of the predetermined site, thereby treating the neurological condition or disorder. The burst stimulus comprises a plurality of groups of spike pulses having a maximum inter-spike interval of 100 milliseconds. The burst stimulus is separated by a substantially quiescent period of time between the plurality of groups of spike pulses. This inter-group interval may comprise a minimum of 5 seconds.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of fabricating stimulation leads, the method comprises: providing a spool of polymer film; providing a plurality of payout carriers of wires; drawing the polymer film from the spool and the wires from the plurality of payout carriers over a rotating drum, wherein the drum comprises a plurality of grooves over an outer circumferential surface of the drum for directing the wires from the plurality of payout carriers, wherein a distance of each groove from an edge of the drum is varied about the circumference of the drum; bonding the wires to the polymer film while performing the drawing to form an intermediate assembly comprising the polymer film as a carrier with the bonded wires in a repeating pattern along a length of the intermediate assembly.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of obesity or other disorders by electrical activation or inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system is disclosed. This activation or inhibition can be accomplished by stimulating the greater splanchnic nerve or other portion of the sympathetic nervous system using an electrode. This nerve activation can result in reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure.

Abstract: The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for intracranial electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. The methods in accordance with the invention can be used to treat brain damage (e.g., stroke, trauma, etc.), brain disease (e.g., Alzheimer's, Pick's, Parkinson's, etc.), and/or brain disorders (e.g., epilepsy, depression, etc.). The methods in accordance with the invention can also be used to enhance neural-function of normal, healthy brains (e.g., learning, memory, etc.), or to control sensory functions (e.g., pain).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrode for use in electrostimulation is provided, where the electrode comprises a notch that operates to substantially eliminate gaseous material from being trapped about the electrode during a molding process of an electrostimulation lead.

Abstract: A method is described for the treatment of obesity or other disorders, by electrical activation or inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system. This activation or inhibition can be accomplished by electrically stimulating the greater splanchnic nerve or other portion of the sympathetic nervous system using an implantable pulse generator. This nerve activation can result in reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure. Reduced food intake may occur through a variety of mechanisms that reduce appetite and cause satiety. Increased adrenal gland hormone levels will result in increased energy expenditure. Fat and carbohydrate metabolism, which are also increased by sympathetic nerve activation, will accompany the increased energy expenditure.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide voltage conversion in increments less than integer multiples of a power supply (e.g., battery) voltage. A representative embodiment provides power supply voltage multipliers in a binary ladder distribution to provide a desired number of output voltage steps using a relatively uncomplicated circuit design. By using different sources in various combinations and/or by “stacking” different sources in various ways, the voltage multiplier circuit may be used to provide desired voltages. In order to minimize the number of components used in a voltage converter of an embodiment, a capacitive voltage converter circuit uses one or more storage capacitors in place of pump capacitors in a voltage generation cycle. Also, certain embodiments do not operate to generate an output voltage until the time that voltage is needed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of inspecting a lead body comprising a plurality of wire conductors helically wound in groups separated by respective gaps, the system comprises: providing a lead body comprising a plurality of wire conductors, helically wound in groups separated by respective gaps, in transparent insulative material, in a channel of a fixture; providing a sensor module; scanning the sensor module along a substantial length of the lead body to obtain image, interferometric, or other data of the lead body; electronically processing the data to calculate respective distances from given turns within a group of the wire conductors from an other sheath of the lead body; determining whether the calculated respective distances correspond to expected values within defined tolerances; and generating an inspection report for the lead body based on the determining.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide trial stimulators suited for use interoperatively and during patient trial. Trial stimulator embodiments provide a patient interface and/or clinician interface which appears and functions substantially the same as an interface of a pulse generator controller which will be used after a trial period. A compliance monitor feature may be provided to facilitate verifying the proper use of the trial stimulator during a trial period. A diagnostic feature may be provided to facilitate verifying proper operation of various aspects of a trial stimulator, such as electrode impedance analysis. Trial stimulators of embodiments provide stimulation to a plurality of tissues and/or areas of the body, such as spinal cord stimulation, deep brain stimulation, etcetera. Embodiments provide for multi-electrode stimulation and multi-stimulation programs.

Abstract: A method is described for the treatment of obesity or other disorders, by electrical activation or inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system. This activation or inhibition can be accomplished by electrically stimulating the greater splanchnic nerve or other portion of the sympathetic nervous system using an implantable pulse generator. This nerve activation can result in reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure. Reduced food intake may occur through a variety of mechanisms that reduce appetite and cause satiety. Increased adrenal gland hormone levels will result in increased energy expenditure. Fat and carbohydrate metabolism, which are also increased by sympathetic nerve activation, will accompany the increased energy expenditure.

Abstract: A wire wrapping device that includes a turntable assembly that is made up of a turntable and a driver adapted to rotate the turntable. Also, a set of payout carriers are mounted on the turntable, each payout carrier adapted to let out wire to be wrapped. A driver is adapted to turn each payout carrier relative to the turn table, the driver being user adjustable to turn each payout carrier by a selectable amount, per each complete rotation of the turntable.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method of treating a patient by electrically stimulating a predetermined site to treat a neurological condition. The method includes implanting a lead into subcutaneous tissue of the C2 dermatome/C3 dermatome area.

Abstract: An implantable stimulation system including epidural lead for spinal cord stimulation that includes a paddle having a curved proximal end and lateral winged tips and an array of electrodes coupled to conductors within a lead body. The conductors couple to a pulse generator or other stimulation device. The curved and winged paddle provides more complete electrical stimulation coverage to targeted human tissue by minimizing the potential gap between electrodes and targeted fibers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a process, for fabricating a medical lead for stimulation of tissue of a patient, comprises: providing a plurality of wires; increasing an exterior surface area of each wire of the plurality of wires; arranging the plurality of wires angularly around a longitudinal axis; extruding polymer material of the plurality of wires; forming a lead body with a proximal end and a distal end after performing the extruding; and forming a plurality of terminals at a proximal end of the lead body; forming a plurality of segmented electrodes at a distal end of the lead body.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a process, for fabricating a medical lead comprises: providing a splicing tube having a plurality of angularly spaced longitudinal grooves; placing a first plurality of conductors within the plurality of angularly spaced grooves defined on an exterior surface of the splicing tube; placing a second plurality of conductors within the plurality of angularly spaced grooves and adjacent to the first plurality of conductors such that a portion of the distal ends overlap a portion of the proximal ends; positioning conductive filler material adjacent to the overlapped portions of the distal and proximal ends; electrically coupling the proximal ends of the first plurality of electrodes to respective proximal ends of the second plurality of electrodes; molding insulative material about at least the electrode assembly and the splicing tube; and fusing the splicing tube with the insulative material from the molding and the lead body.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a process, for fabricating a medical lead for stimulation of tissue of a patient, comprises: forming a plurality of electrode assemblies wherein each electrode assembly of the plurality of electrode assemblies comprises a respective plurality of segmented electrodes angularly separated by ribs formed in one or more segments of thermoplastic tape; electrically coupling a conductor to each segmented electrode; molding polymer material around each segmented electrode of the plurality of segmented electrodes to interlock each segmented electrode with polymer material to form a distal end of the medical lead; and fusing the one or more segments of thermoplastic tape of each of the plurality of electrode assemblies with the polymer material.

Abstract: The present application relates to a new stimulation design which can be utilized to treat neurological conditions. The stimulation system produces a burst mode stimulation which alters the neuronal activity of the predetermined site, thereby treating the neurological condition or disorder. The burst stimulus comprises a plurality of groups of spike pulses having a maximum inter-spike interval of 100 milliseconds. The burst stimulus is separated by a substantially quiescent period of time between the plurality of groups of spike pulses. This inter-group interval may comprise a minimum of 5 seconds.

Abstract: A system and/or method for treating auditory dysfunction by somatosensory system stimulation. The system and/or method comprises a probe and a device to stimulate the probe. The probe has a stimulation portion implanted in communication with a predetermined peripheral nerve site. The stimulation portion of the probe may be implanted in contact with a peripheral nerve dorsal root ganglia, cranial nerve or dermatome area, for example C2 dermatome area or a trigeminal dermatome area. The stimulation portion may be a laminotomy, paddle, surgical, or multiple electrode lead. The device to stimulate the probe may be implanted subcutaneously or transcutaneously.