Spinal cord stimulation system

Abstract

A method for optimizing the stimulation of the dorsal column of the spinal cord is disclosed. The method includes providing a stimulating electrode array and a frame element. The frame element is configured to couple to the stimulating electrode array and guide the stimulating electrode array to a desired position proximate the dorsal column of the spinal cord of a subject.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stimulation system for stimulating the spinal cord of the body of a subject, the stimulation system comprising:
 a stimulating electrode array, the stimulating electrode array comprising a plurality of electrodes and having a top surface, a bottom surface, a peripheral side edge extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, and at least one engagement portion positioned along the peripheral side edge;   a frame element, the frame element configured to conform to at least a portion of the peripheral side edge of the stimulating electrode array, the frame element comprising a material that is more rigid than the stimulating electrode array, the frame element further comprising a distal portion having a beveled edge, wherein the frame element is configured for selective removable coupling to the stimulating electrode array by the at least one engagement portion of the stimulating electrode array,   wherein, upon coupling of the frame element to the stimulating electrode array, the beveled edge of the frame element is configured to form an insertion pathway within the body of the subject, and the coupled frame element and stimulating electrode array are configured for selective advancement into the body of the subject until reaching a desired position proximate the spinal cord of the subject, and   wherein, following positioning of the coupled frame element and stimulating electrode array at the desired position, the frame element is configured for disengagement from the at least one engagement portion of the stimulating electrode array such that the stimulating electrode array remains in the desired position.   
     
     
         2 . The stimulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame element comprises nitinol. 
     
     
         3 . The stimulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame element comprises at least one snare means, and wherein each snare means of the at least one snare means is configured for selectively coupling with a corresponding engagement portion of the stimulating electrode array. 
     
     
         4 . The stimulation system of  claim 3 , wherein the frame element comprises a handle portion, and wherein the handle portion of the frame element is configured to permit selective advancement of the coupled frame element and stimulating electrode array within the body of the subject. 
     
     
         5 . The stimulation system of  claim 4 , wherein the handle portion of the frame element comprises means for selectively deploying the at least one snare means. 
     
     
         6 . The stimulation system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the frame element comprises a radio-opaque material. 
     
     
         7 . The stimulation system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the frame element comprises a radio-lucent material. 
     
     
         8 . A method for optimizing stimulation of the dorsal column of the spinal cord of the body of a subject, the method comprising:
 providing a stimulating electrode array, the stimulating electrode array comprising a plurality of electrodes and having at least one engagement portion, the stimulating electrode array having a peripheral side edge;   providing a frame element configured to conform to at least a portion of the peripheral side edge of the stimulating electrode array, the frame element comprising a material that is more rigid than the stimulating electrode array, wherein the frame element comprises a distal portion having a beveled edge;   selectively coupling the frame element thereto the at least one engagement portion of the stimulating electrode array;   inserting the coupled frame element and stimulating electrode array into the body of the subject at a desired position proximate the dorsal column of the subject, wherein the step of inserting the coupled frame element and stimulating electrode array into the body of the subject comprises selectively advancing the frame element to form an insertion pathway; and   disengaging the frame element from the at least one engagement portion of the stimulating electrode array such that the stimulating electrode array remains in the desired position.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the frame element comprises nitinol. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the frame element comprises at least one snare means, and wherein selectively coupling the frame element thereto the at least one engagement portion of the stimulating electrode array comprises selectively coupling each snare means of the at least one snare means with a corresponding engagement portion of the stimulating electrode array. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the frame element comprises a handle portion, and wherein the handle portion of the frame element is moved to selectively advance the coupled frame element and stimulating electrode array within the body of the subject. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the handle portion of the frame element comprises means for selectively deploying the at least one snare means, and wherein selectively coupling the frame element thereto the at least one engagement portion of the stimulating electrode array comprises using the handle portion to deploy the at least one snare means to engage a corresponding engagement portion of the stimulating electrode array. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the frame element comprises a radio-opaque material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the frame element comprises a radio-lucent material.