Stimulation method for the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerve, or vidian nerve for treatment of medical conditions

Abstract

A method is provided for the suppression or prevention of pain, movement disorders, epilepsy, cerebrovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, sleep disorders, autonomic disorders, urinary bladder disorders, abnormal metabolic states, disorders of the muscular system, and neuropsychiatric disorders in a patient. The method comprises positioning at least one electrode on or proximate to at least one of the patient's sphenopalatine ganglia (“SPG”), sphenopalatine nerves (“SPN”), or vidian nerves (“VN”), and activating the at least one electrode to apply an electrical signal to at least one of the SPG, SPN, or VN. In a further embodiment of the invention used to treat the same conditions, the electrode used is capable of dispensing a medication solution or analgesic which is applied via an electrode to at least one of the SPG, SPN, or VN. A method is also provided for surgically implanting an electrode on or proximate to at least one of the SPG, SPN, or VN of a patient.

It is claimed: 
     
       1. A method for suppressing or preventing pain a patient, the method comprising:
 advancing at least one electrode, without penetrating the cranium, into the pterygopalatine fossa so that the at least one electrode is positioned on or proximate to at least one of the patient's sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves; and   activating the at least one electrode to apply an electrical signal to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves;   wherein the at least one electrode is advanced without penetrating the nasal cavity or the palate.   
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein activation of the electrical signal generates heat insufficient to cause a lesion on at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves. 
     
     
       3. A method for suppressing or preventing a medical condition in a patient, the method comprising:
 advancing at least one electrode, without penetrating the cranium, into the pterygopalatine fossa so that the at least one electrode is positioned on or proximate to at least one of the patient's sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves; and   activating the at least one electrode to apply an electrical signal to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves;   wherein the at least one electrode is advanced on or proximate to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves without piercing the palate or the nasal cavity of the subject.   
     
     
       4. A method for suppressing or preventing pain in a patient, the method comprising:
 receiving at least one electrode, without penetrating the cranium, so that the at least one electrode is positioned on or proximate to at least one of the patient's sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves; and   activating the at least one electrode to apply an electrical signal to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves;   wherein the at least one electrode is received without entering the nasal cavity and without penetrating the palate.    
     
     
       5. The method of claim 4, wherein activation of the electrical signal generates heat insufficient to cause a lesion on at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves.  
     
     
       6. A method for suppressing or preventing a medical condition in a patient, the method comprising:
 receiving at least one electrode, without penetrating the cranium, so that the at least one electrode is positioned on or proximate to at least one of the patient's sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves; and   activating the at least one electrode to apply an electrical signal to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves;   wherein the at least one electrode is received on or proximate to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves without penetrating the palate and without entering the nasal cavity of the subject.    
     
     
       7. A method for suppressing or preventing pain a patient, the method comprising:
 advancing at least one electrode, without penetrating the cranium, into the pterygopalatine fossa so that the at least one electrode is positioned on or proximate to at least one of the patient's sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves; and   activating the at least one electrode to apply an electrical signal to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves;   wherein the at least one electrode is advanced without entering the nasal cavity and without penetrating the palate.    
     
     
       8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein activation of the electrical signal generates heat insufficient to cause a lesion on at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves.  
     
     
       9. A method for suppressing or preventing a medical condition in a patient, the method comprising:
 advancing at least one electrode, without penetrating the cranium, into the pterygopalatine fossa so that the at least one electrode is positioned on or proximate to at least one of the patient's sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves; and   activating the at least one electrode to apply an electrical signal to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves;   wherein the at least one electrode is advanced on or proximate to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves without penetrating the palate and without entering the nasal cavity of the subject.