Systems and Methods for Treating Essential Tremor or Restless Leg Syndrome Using Spinal Cord Stimulation

Abstract

A method for treating essential tremor or restless leg syndrome using spinal cord stimulation includes implanting a lead near a spinal cord of a patient. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed on a distal end of the lead and electrically coupled to at least one contact terminal disposed on a proximal end of the lead. Electrical signals are provided from a control module coupled to the lead to stimulate a portion of the spinal cord of the patient using at least one of the electrodes. The electrical signals reduce, alleviate, or eliminate at least one adverse effect of essential tremor or restless leg syndrome.

1 . A method for treating essential tremor using spinal cord stimulation, the method comprising:
 implanting a lead near a spinal cord of a patient, the lead comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed on a distal end of the lead and electrically coupled to at least one contact terminal disposed on a proximal end of the lead; and   providing electrical signals from a control module coupled to the lead to stimulate a portion of the spinal cord of the patient using at least one of the electrodes, wherein the electrical signals reduce, alleviate, or eliminate at least one adverse effect of essential tremor.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein implanting the lead near the spinal cord of the patient comprises implanting the lead such that at least one of the electrodes is in proximity to a segment of the spinal cord to which at least one nerve attaches, the at least one nerve also attaching to at least one skeletal muscle at a portion of the patient's body that is adversely affected by essential tremor. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein implanting the lead near the spinal cord of the patient comprises implanting the lead in an epidural space of the patient. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein implanting the lead comprises implanting the lead near a portion of the spinal cord with nerve roots extending to an upper extremity. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein implanting the lead comprises implanting the lead near a portion of the spinal cord with nerve roots extending to a lower extremity. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical signals reduce, alleviate, or eliminate tremors associated with essential tremor. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical signals reduce, alleviate, or eliminate pain associated with essential tremor. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein implanting the lead adjacent to the spinal cord of the patient comprises implanting at least one of a percutaneous lead, a paddle lead, or a cuff lead. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting stimulation parameters of the electrical signals to reduce, alleviate, or eliminate the at least one adverse effect of essential tremor. 
   
   
       10 . An implantable system for treating essential tremor comprising:
 a lead having a distal end and a proximal end and configured and arranged for implantation near a spinal cord of a patient, the lead comprising
 a plurality of electrodes disposed on the distal end, 
 a plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end, and 
 a plurality of conductors, each conductor electrically coupling at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminal; and 
   a control module configured and arranged to electrically couple to the lead, the control module comprising
 a housing, and 
 an electronic subassembly disposed in the housing. 
   
   
   
       11 . The implantable system of  claim 10 , wherein the control module is configured and arranged for implantation in the patient. 
   
   
       12 . A method for treating restless leg syndrome using spinal cord stimulation, the method comprising:
 implanting a lead near a spinal cord of a patient, the lead comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed on a distal end of the lead and electrically coupled to at least one contact terminal disposed on a proximal end of the lead; and   providing electrical signals from a control module coupled to the lead to stimulate a portion of the spinal cord of the patient using at least one of the electrodes, wherein the electrical signals reduce, alleviate, or eliminate at least one adverse effect of restless leg syndrome.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein implanting the lead near the spinal cord of the patient comprises implanting the lead such that at least one of the electrodes is in proximity to a segment of the spinal cord to which at least one nerve attaches, the at least one nerve also attaching to at least one skeletal muscle at a portion of the patient's body that is adversely affected by restless leg syndrome. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein implanting the lead near the spinal cord of the patient comprises implanting the lead in an epidural space of the patient. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein implanting the lead comprises implanting the lead near a portion of the spinal cord with nerve roots extending to an upper extremity. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein implanting the lead comprises implanting the lead near a portion of the spinal cord with nerve roots extending to a lower extremity. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical signals reduce, alleviate, or eliminate unpleasant sensations associated with restless leg syndrome. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical signals reduce, alleviate, or eliminate pain associated with restless leg syndrome. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein implanting the lead adjacent to the spinal cord of the patient comprises implanting at least one of a percutaneous lead, a paddle lead, or a cuff lead. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising adjusting stimulation parameters of the electrical signals to reduce, alleviate, or eliminate the at least one adverse effect of restless leg syndrome. 
   
   
       21 . An implantable system for treating restless leg syndrome comprising:
 a lead having a distal end and a proximal end and configured and arranged for implantation near a spinal cord of a patient, the lead comprising
 a plurality of electrodes disposed on the distal end, 
 a plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end, and 
 a plurality of conductors, each conductor electrically coupling at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminal; and 
   a control module configured and arranged to electrically couple to the lead, the control module comprising
 a housing, and 
 an electronic subassembly disposed in the housing. 
   
   
   
       22 . The implantable system of  claim 21 , wherein the control module is configured and arranged for implantation in the patient.