Lead and methods for brain monitoring and modulation

Abstract

An apparatus, a system and methods for modulating and monitoring tissue have an elongate member with proximal and distal ends and a plurality of annular stimulating electrodes axially arranged along the elongate member. The stimulating electrodes are disposed near the distal end and are adapted to pass current into tissue. At least one of the annular stimulating electrodes has at least three independent stimulation points on the electrode. The apparatus also includes a plurality of recording electrodes that are adapted to measure local tissue potentials and a plurality of conductors are coupled with the recording and stimulating electrodes. An optional multiple contact connecting terminal may be coupled with the conductors and is disposed near the proximal end of the elongate member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrical stimulation lead, comprising:
 an elongate body having a circumference, a proximal portion, and a distal portion;   a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal portion of the elongate body;   a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal portion of the elongate body; and   a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the electrodes and the terminals, wherein the conductors are separated into two concentric, annular spaces extending along the elongate body.   
     
     
         2 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 1 , wherein the two concentric, annular spaces comprise a first annular space and a second annular space with the first annular space having an inner radius and the second annular space having an outer radius that is smaller than the inner radius of the first annular space. 
     
     
         3 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate body defines a central lumen having an outer radius that is smaller than an inner radius of the second annular space. 
     
     
         4 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 3 , wherein the elongate body comprises a polymer tube between the central lumen and the second annular space. 
     
     
         5 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate body comprises a layer disposed between the first annular space and the second annular space. 
     
     
         6 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises a plurality of sets of independent stimulating electrodes disposed at each of a plurality of axial position along the distal portion of the elongate body, each set of independent stimulating electrodes being disposed at a different axial position along the distal portion of the elongate body and arranged around the circumference of the elongate body. 
     
     
         7 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 6 , wherein, for each of the sets of independent stimulating electrodes, the conductors coupled to the electrodes of the respective set are all arranged in only one of concentric, annular spaces. 
     
     
         8 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 1 , wherein the conductors are wound in two helices. 
     
     
         9 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 8 , wherein the two helices are wound in opposite orientations. 
     
     
         10 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 8 , wherein the two helices have different pitches. 
     
     
         11 . An electrical stimulation lead, comprising:
 an elongate body having a circumference, a proximal portion, and a distal portion;   a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal portion of the elongate body;   a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal portion of the elongate body, the plurality of electrodes comprises a plurality of sets of independent stimulating electrodes, each set of independent stimulating electrodes being disposed at a different axial position along the distal portion of the elongate body and arranged around the circumference of the elongate body with insulating material disposed between the independent stimulating electrodes of the set; and   a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the electrodes and the terminals, wherein the plurality of conductors is arranged in at least a first group and a second group, wherein the conductors in the first group extend through the elongate body in a first annular space and the conductors in the second group extend through the elongate body in a second annular space that is spaced-apart from the first annular space.   
     
     
         12 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 11 , wherein the first annular space and second annular space are concentric. 
     
     
         13 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 12 , wherein the first annular space has an inner radius and the second annular space has an outer radius that is smaller than the inner radius of the first annular space. 
     
     
         14 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 13 , wherein the elongate body defines a central lumen having an outer radius that is smaller than an inner radius of the second annular space. 
     
     
         15 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 14 , wherein the elongate body comprises a polymer tube between the central lumen and the second annular space. 
     
     
         16 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 11 , wherein the elongate body comprises a layer disposed between the first annular space and the second annular space. 
     
     
         17 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 11 , wherein, for each of the sets of independent stimulating electrodes, the conductors coupled to the electrodes of the respective set are all arranged in only one of the first group or the second group. 
     
     
         18 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 11 , wherein the conductors arranged in the first group are wound in a first helix. 
     
     
         19 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 18 , wherein the conductors arranged in the second group are wound in a second helix. 
     
     
         20 . The electrical stimulation lead of  claim 19 , wherein the first helix and second helix are wound in opposite orientations.