Methods for stimulating a dorsal root ganglion

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia. Some other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for selective neurostimulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia as well as techniques for applying neurostimulation to the spinal cord. Still other embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia in combination with a pharmacological agent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of modulating a dorsal root ganglion comprising:
 positioning an elongate body into an epidural space, wherein the elongate body has a conduit for delivery of a pharmacological agent;   advancing the elongate body along a nerve root and positioning an outlet of the conduit near the dorsal root ganglion associated with the nerve root; and   delivering a pharmacological agent through the conduit so that the pharmacological agent pharmacologically modulates the dorsal root ganglion without pharmacologically modulating an associated ventral root.