Systems and methods for selectively stimulating nerve roots

Abstract

Various system embodiments comprise an implantable lead, an implantable housing, a neural stimulation circuit in the housing, and a controller in the housing and connected to the neural stimulation circuit. The lead has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is adapted to deliver neural stimulation pulses to the ventral nerve root and the dorsal nerve root. The proximal end of the lead is adapted to connect to the housing. The neural stimulation circuit is adapted to generate neural stimulation pulses to stimulate the ventral nerve root or the dorsal nerve root using the implantable lead. The controller is adapted to control the neural stimulation circuit to deliver a neural stimulation treatment.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An implantable system, comprising:
 an implantable lead with a proximal end and a distal end;   a plurality of electrodes near the distal end of the lead;   an implantable housing connected to the proximal end of the lead and configured to house circuitry; and   a neural stimulation circuit arranged within the housing and configured to generate neural stimulation pulses via at least one of the plurality of electrodes to selectively stimulate one of a ventral nerve root or a dorsal nerve root.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the neural stimulation circuit and the implantable lead are configured to target the ventral nerve root. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the neural stimulation circuit and the implantable lead are configured to target the dorsal nerve root. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a feedback circuit arranged within the housing and configured to receive a signal indicating an efficacy of the neural stimulation pulses. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a physiological sensor, and wherein the physiological sensor communicates the signal indicating the efficacy of the neural stimulation pulses signal. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the physiological sensor is configured to sense a physiological function that depends in part on neural stimulation. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the physiological function comprises at least one of heart rate, blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG) wave-forms, respiration, acceleration, and motion. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the physiological sensor is at least one of a heart rate sensor, a blood pressure sensor, and an acoustic sensor configured to sense blood flow. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one of a pacemaker and an anti-arrhythmia device, and wherein at least one of the pacemaker and the anti-arrhythmia device communicates the signal indicating the efficacy of the neural stimulation pulses signal. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the neural stimulation pulses are configured to treat at least one of hypertension, cardiac rhythm management, myocardial infarctions, ischemia, heart failure, pain control, preventing ventricular remodeling, and treating ventricular remodeling. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the neural stimulation circuit is configured to stimulate the ventral nerve root to stimulate efferent sympathetic activity from the ventral nerve root. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the neural stimulation circuit is configured to stimulate afferent sympathetic activity from the dorsal nerve root. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are arranged circumferentially on the lead. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a controller arranged within the housing, wherein the controller is configured to control the neural stimulation circuit to deliver a neural stimulation treatment executed by the neural stimulation pulses. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is configured to select one or more of the plurality of electrodes and deliver directional stimulation of the neural stimulation pulses. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller arranged within the housing, wherein the controller is configured to control the neural stimulation circuit to deliver a neural stimulation treatment executed by the neural stimulation pulses. 
     
     
         17 . An implantable system, comprising:
 an implantable lead with a proximal end and a distal end;   a plurality of electrodes near the distal end of the lead;   an implantable housing connected to the proximal end of the lead and configured to house circuitry;   a controller arranged within the housing, wherein the controller is configured to control the neural stimulation circuit to deliver a neural stimulation treatment; and   a neural stimulation circuit arranged within the housing and configured to generate neural stimulation pulses thereby delivering the neural stimulation treatment via at least one of the plurality of electrodes to selectively stimulate a ventral nerve root.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the neural stimulation circuit is configured to stimulate the ventral nerve root to stimulate efferent sympathetic activity from the ventral nerve root. 
     
     
         19 . An implantable system, comprising:
 an implantable lead with a proximal end and a distal end;   a plurality of electrodes near the distal end of the lead;   an implantable housing connected to the proximal end of the lead and configured to house circuitry;   a controller arranged within the housing, wherein the controller is configured to control the neural stimulation circuit to deliver a neural stimulation treatment; and   a neural stimulation circuit arranged within the housing and configured to generate neural stimulation pulses thereby delivering the neural stimulation treatment via at least one of the plurality of electrodes to selectively stimulate a dorsal nerve root.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the neural stimulation circuit is configured to stimulate afferent sympathetic activity from the dorsal nerve root.