Patent ID: 8249713
Filing Date: 2012-08-21
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A method of treating chronic shoulder pain in an individual comprising: (i) identifying in the individual a site of chronic shoulder pain; (ii) targeting for electrical stimulation a region of shoulder muscle tissue near the site; (iii) providing an electrode that is size and configured for insertion into the targeted region of shoulder muscle tissue through an introducer without surgical exposure of the shoulder muscle tissue, the electrode including a component to anchor the electrode in the shoulder muscle tissue, the electrode being electrically coupled to an electrode lead that is sized and configured to extend from the electrode, when inserted into the targeted region of shoulder muscle tissue, percutaneously through the skin and including a portion that, in use, exits the skin and is exposed outside the individual; (iv) providing an external electrical stimulation pulse generator that is sized an configured, in use, to be carried outside the individual, the electrical pulse generator including a connector for electrically coupling to the portion of the electrode lead exposed outside the individual; (v) inserting the electrode through the introducer and skin into the targeted region of the shoulder muscle tissue without surgical exposure of the shoulder muscle tissue, wherein the electrode lead extends percutaneously through the skin of the individual with the section exiting the skin and exposed outside the individual; (vi) electrically coupling the connector of the external stimulation pulse generator to the section of the electrode lead exposed outside the individual; (vii) operating the external stimulation pulse generator according to a prescribed treatment regiment to deliver electrical stimulation pulses to the electrode via the electrode lead to cause contraction of the shoulder muscle tissue at the site; (viii) treating the chronic shoulder pain by