Multiple electrode lead and a system for deep electrical neurostimulation including such a lead

Abstract

A lead for deep electrical neurostimulation, the lead comprising: a rod of biocompatible material; and a blade, also of biocompatible material, secured to one end of said rod and in alignment therewith; in which said blade presents two main faces and a plurality of electrodes disposed on at least one of said two main faces in a two-dimensional configuration, said electrodes being connected to conductor elements disposed inside or on a surface of said rod. A deep electrical neurostimulation system comprising: an electrical pulse generator for deep electrical neurostimulation; and at least one lead of the above-described type, having its electrodes electrically connected to said electrical pulse generator.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A lead for deep electrical neurostimulation, the lead comprising:
 a rod of biocompatible material, having a stiffness which is sufficient for allowing its insertion into a brain of a patient, wherein said rod presents a hollow section with a lumen extending longitudinally therein;   a rigid stylet inserted removably within said lumen in order to make said rod stiff enough to allow insertion of the lead into a brain of a patient; and   a blade, also of biocompatible material, secured to one end of said rod and in alignment therewith;   in which said blade presents two main faces and a plurality of electrodes disposed on at least one of said two main faces in a two-dimensional configuration, said electrodes being connected to conductor elements disposed inside or on a surface of said rod;   
       wherein said blade is hollow and capable of stretching reversibly during insertion of said stylet so as to be capable of returning to its original shape when the stylet is withdrawn. 
     
     
         22 . A lead according to  claim 21 , in which said blade presents a plurality of electrodes disposed on its two opposite main faces. 
     
     
         23 . A lead according to  claim 21 , in which the number of electrodes placed on said or each main face of said blade lies in the range 1 to 40. 
     
     
         24 . A lead according to  claim 21 , in which said rod is substantially rectilinear. 
     
     
         25 . A lead according to  claim 21 , in which said rod and said blade are made, at least in part, out of a biocompatible material selected from: silicones; siloxanes; polyurethane; polyvinyl chloride; benzocyclobutene; polyimides; and parylen. 
     
     
         26 . A lead according to  claim 21 , in which said rod and said blade are made as a single piece. 
     
     
         27 . A lead according to  claim 21 , presenting a total length lying in the range 4 cm to 10 cm. 
     
     
         28 . A lead according to  claim 21 , presenting a substantially planar shape, with a thickness lying in the range 25 μm to 3 mm. 
     
     
         29 . A lead according to  claim 21 , in which said main faces of the blade present an area lying in the range 10 mm 2  to 500 mm 2 . 
     
     
         30 . A lead according to  claim 21 , in which said blade presents a sickle shape, an elliptical shape, or a shape that matches the outline of a CG25 zone of a human brain. 
     
     
         31 . A lead according to  claim 21 , including longitudinal stiffener beams incorporated in said rod. 
     
     
         32 . A lead according to  claim 35 , in which said longitudinal stiffener beams are made of a material selected from non-magnetic metals and alloys and carbon fibers. 
     
     
         33 . A lead according to  claim 21 , in which said electrodes present a covering of electrically-conductive carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         34 . A lead according to  claim 33 , in which said carbon nanotubes are multi-wall nanotubes covering pellets of silicon fitted onto the surface of said electrodes. 
     
     
         35 . A deep electrical neurostimulation system comprising:
 an electrical pulse generator for deep electrical neurostimulation; and   at least one lead for deep electrical neurostimulation, having its electrodes electrically connected to said electrical pulse generator,   wherein the lead comprises:
 a rod of biocompatible material, having a stiffness which is sufficient for allowing its insertion into a brain of a patient, wherein said rod presents a hollow section with a lumen extending longitudinally therein; 
 a rigid stylet inserted removably within said lumen in order to make said rod stiff enough to allow insertion of the lead into a brain of a patient; and 
 a blade, also of biocompatible material, secured to one end of said rod and in alignment therewith; 
   wherein said blade presents two main faces and a plurality of electrodes disposed on at least one of said two main faces in a two-dimensional configuration, said electrodes being connected to conductor elements disposed inside or on a surface of said rod;   and wherein said blade is hollow and capable of stretching reversibly during insertion of said stylet so as to be capable of returning to its original shape when the stylet is withdrawn.   
     
     
         36 . A deep electrical neurostimulation system according to  claim 35 , wherein said electrical pulse generator is configured to generate electrical impulsion adapted for treating clinical depression by stimulating a CG25 zone of a human brain.