Abstract: A device for brain stimulation includes a lead having a longitudinal surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a lead body. The device also includes a plurality of electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead near the distal end of the lead. The plurality of electrodes includes a first set of segmented electrodes comprising at least two segmented electrodes disposed around a circumference of the lead at a first longitudinal position along the lead; and a second set of segmented electrodes comprising at least two segmented electrodes disposed around a circumference of the lead at a second longitudinal position along the lead. The device further includes one or more conductors that electrically couple together all of the segmented electrodes of the first set of segmented electrodes.

Abstract: One embodiment is a stimulation lead including a lead body comprising a longitudinal surface, a distal end, and a proximal end; and multiple electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead body near the distal end of the lead body. The multiple electrodes include multiple segmented electrodes with each of the segmented electrodes having an exterior surface, an interior surface opposite the exterior surface, a proximal end, and a distal end. At least one of the segmented electrodes includes one or more of a) at least one channel formed in the segmented electrode and extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the segmented electrode, b) an arcuate groove formed in at least one of the distal end surface or the proximal end surface, or c) a notch formed in the segmented electrode and extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the segmented electrode.

Abstract: One embodiment is a stimulation lead including a lead body comprising a longitudinal surface, a distal end, and a proximal end; and multiple electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead body near the distal end of the lead body. The multiple electrodes include multiple segmented electrodes. At least a first portion of the lead body, proximal to the electrodes, is transparent or translucent and at least a second portion of the lead body, separating two or more of the segmented electrodes, is opaque so that the segmented electrodes separated by the second portion of the lead body are visually distinct. Alternatively or additionally, the stimulation lead can include an indicator ring, a stripe, a groove, or a marking aligned with one or more of the segmented electrodes.

Abstract: A device for brain stimulation includes a cannula configured and arranged for insertion into a brain of a patient; at least one cannula electrode disposed on the cannula; and an electrode lead for insertion into the cannula, the electrode lead comprising at least one stimulating electrode.

Abstract: A device for brain stimulation includes a lead having a longitudinal surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a lead body. The device also includes a plurality of electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead near the distal end of the lead. The plurality of electrodes includes a first set of segmented electrodes comprising at least two segmented electrodes disposed around a circumference of the lead at a first longitudinal position along the lead; and a second set of segmented electrodes comprising at least two segmented electrodes disposed around a circumference of the lead at a second longitudinal position along the lead. The device further includes one or more conductors that electrically couple together all of the segmented electrodes of the first set of segmented electrodes.

Abstract: A device for brain stimulation includes a lead having a longitudinal surface, a proximal end and a distal end; and a plurality of electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead near the distal end of the lead. The plurality of electrodes includes at least four segmented electrodes having exposed surfaces where each exposed surface has a center point. The center points of the at least four segmented electrodes are disposed on a substantially helical path about the longitudinal surface of the lead.

Abstract: One embodiment is a stimulation lead including a lead body comprising a longitudinal surface, a distal end, and a proximal end; and multiple electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead body near the distal end of the lead body. The multiple electrodes include multiple segmented electrodes. At least a first portion of the lead body, proximal to the electrodes, is transparent or translucent and at least a second portion of the lead body, separating two or more of the segmented electrodes, is opaque so that the segmented electrodes separated by the second portion of the lead body are visually distinct. Alternatively or additionally, the stimulation lead can include an indicator ring, a stripe, a groove, or a marking aligned with one or more of the segmented electrodes.

Abstract: A stimulation system is disclosed that may include a stimulator unit coupled to electrode contacts on a cuff. In one embodiment, the cuff may be placed at least partially around a nerve. The stimulation system may include at least two electrode contacts disposed on the cuff such that a distance between the at least two electrode contacts various along a length of the electrode contacts. In another embodiment, a plurality of electrode contacts are disposed on the cuff such that distances between at least one electrode contact within the plurality of electrode contacts and each electrode contact immediately adjacent to the at least one electrode contact are different. The stimulator unit may also be implantable.

Abstract: One embodiment is a stimulation lead including a lead body comprising a longitudinal surface, a distal end, and a proximal end; and multiple electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead body near the distal end of the lead body. The multiple electrodes include multiple segmented electrodes with each of the segmented electrodes having an exterior surface, an interior surface opposite the exterior surface, a proximal end, and a distal end. At least one of the segmented electrodes includes one or more of a) at least one channel formed in the segmented electrode and extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the segmented electrode, b) an arcuate groove formed in at least one of the distal end surface or the proximal end surface, or c) a notch formed in the segmented electrode and extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the segmented electrode.

Abstract: A lead extension for an electrical stimulation system includes a connector disposed on a first end of a body. The connector includes a housing defining at least one port. Each of the at least one ports is configured to receive a proximal end of a lead. A plurality of connector contacts are disposed in each of the at least one ports. The connector contacts are configured to electrically couple to terminals of a lead when the lead is received by the housing. A first connector flange extends outwardly from a first side of the housing. A plurality of conductors extend along a length of the lead extension and electrically couple at least one of the connector contacts to at least one terminal disposed on a second end of the body.

Abstract: One embodiment is a stimulation lead that includes a lead body having a longitudinal surface, a distal end, and a proximal end; and multiple electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead body near the distal end of the lead body. The electrodes include multiple groups of segmented electrodes with each group of segmented electrodes having multiple segmented electrodes disposed at a same longitudinal position along the lead. For at least one first group of segmented electrodes, a first pair of the segmented electrodes in the first group are disposed on opposite sides of the lead body and are electrically ganged together by a conductor therebetween.

Abstract: One embodiment is a stimulation lead including a lead body comprising a longitudinal surface, a distal end, and a proximal end; and multiple electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead body near the distal end of the lead body. The multiple electrodes include multiple segmented electrodes. At least a first portion of the lead body, proximal to the electrodes, is transparent or translucent and at least a second portion of the lead body, separating two or more of the segmented electrodes, is opaque so that the segmented electrodes separated by the second portion of the lead body are visually distinct. Alternatively or additionally, the stimulation lead can include an indicator ring, a stripe, a groove, or a marking aligned with one or more of the segmented electrodes.

Abstract: A device for brain stimulation includes a lead having a longitudinal surface, a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of electrodes are disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead near the distal end of the lead. At least one marker is disposed on the longitudinal surface of the lead. The at least one marker is configured and arranged to identify a relative position of the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: A neurostimulation system comprises an implantable neurostimulation lead, an implantable neurostimulator configured for delivering stimulation energy to the implantable neurostimulation lead, an actuating device configured for modifying a linear shape of the lead after it has migrated from a baseline position, memory configured for storing a threshold value, and a processor configured for determining a magnitude at which the lead has migrated from the baseline position, comparing the determined magnitude to the threshold value, and prompting the actuating device to modify the linear shape of the lead based on the comparison. A method of correcting the migration of a neurostimulation lead implanted within the patient comprises determining a magnitude at which the implanted lead has migrated from a baseline position, comparing the determined magnitude to a threshold value, and modifying the linear shape of the lead based on the comparison.

Abstract: A device for brain stimulation includes a lead having a longitudinal surface, a proximal end and a distal end; and a plurality of electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead near the distal end of the lead. The plurality of electrodes includes at least four segmented electrodes having exposed surfaces where each exposed surface has a center point. The center points of the at least four segmented electrodes are disposed on a substantially helical path about the longitudinal surface of the lead.

Abstract: A stimulation system is disclosed that may include a stimulator unit coupled to electrode contacts on a cuff. In one embodiment, the cuff may be placed at least partially around a nerve. The stimulation system may include at least two electrode contacts disposed on the cuff such that a distance between the at least two electrode contacts various along a length of the electrode contacts. In another embodiment, a plurality of electrode contacts are disposed on the cuff such that distances between at least one electrode contact within the plurality of electrode contacts and each electrode contact immediately adjacent to the at least one electrode contact are different. The stimulator unit may also be implantable.

Abstract: A stimulation system is disclosed that may include a stimulator unit coupled to electrode contacts on a cuff. In one embodiment, the cuff may be placed at least partially around a nerve. The stimulation system may include at least two electrode contacts disposed on the cuff such that a distance between the at least two electrode contacts various along a length of the electrode contacts. In another embodiment, a plurality of electrode contacts are disposed on the cuff such that distances between at least one electrode contact within the plurality of electrode contacts and each electrode contact immediately adjacent to the at least one electrode contact are different. The stimulator unit may also be implantable.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and external programmers provide therapy to a patient having a dysfunction. In one aspect, electrical energy is conveyed between electrodes to create a stimulation region in tissue adjacent the electrodes. Physiological information from the patient is acquired and analyzed, and a locus of the stimulation region is electronically displaced relative to the tissue based on the analysis of the acquired physiological information. In another aspect, electrical energy is delivered to tissue of the patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. A cognitive brain signals is sensed and analyzed, and the stimulation parameter(s) are modified based on the analysis of the cognitive brain signal.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure on a patient comprises forming a burr hole through the cranium of the patient, mounting a permanently integrated plug electrode within the burr hole, and electrically coupling the plug electrode to an electronics device. Another method of performing a medical procedure on a patient comprises forming a burr hole through the cranium of the patient, mounting an electrode within the burr hole, such that the electrode does not extend within the brain of the patient, and electrically coupling the electrode to an electronics device. A hybrid plug/electrode comprises a plug body configured for being anchored within a burr hole formed within a cranium of a patient, at least one electrode disposed on a distal-facing surface of the plug body, and at least one electrode lead affixed within the plug body in electrical communication with the at least one electrode.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and external programmers provide therapy to a patient having a dysfunction. In one aspect, stimulation energy is conveyed from a neurostimulator to electrodes located within a tissue region of the patient, thereby changing the status of the dysfunction. A physiological end-function of the patient indicative of the changed status of the dysfunction is measured, and stimulation parameters are programmed into the neurostimulator based on the measured physiological end-function. In another aspect, electrodes are placed adjacent to a tissue region of the patient, and stimulation energy is conveyed from the electrodes to the tissue region in accordance with the stimulation parameters, thereby changing the status of the dysfunction. A physiological end-function of the patient indicative of the changed status of the dysfunction is measured, and the stimulation parameters are adjusted based on the measured physiological end-function.