Patent ID: 6014588
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
Apparatus for relieving zygopophysial joint related pain, comprising:a stimulator coupled to a plurality of electrodes, each electrode being adapted for placement immediately adjacent to a medial branch of a spinal nerve root,the stimulator including:a controller operative to generate a series of pulses of sufficient electrical intensity to cause depolarization of a given medial branch and its articular branches, but not so strong as to cause depolarization of the spinal cord itself, andoperator interface enabling the series of pulses to be tailored as a function of requisite pain relief; anda second set of electrodes for sensing myoelectrical activity generated by the muscles surrounding the medial branch, the controller being programmed to modulate the impulses generated by the stimulator in accordance with the demands of the individual.