Patent ID: 7486995

Claim:
A method for electrical stimulation of target nerve tissue in a person's brain stem, comprising: selecting an electrical stimulation lead suited for implantation posteriorly on, in, or near the brain stem overlying the medulla for electrical stimulation of target nerve tissue in the brain stem, the lead comprising a plurality of electrodes adapted to be positioned posteriorly on, in, or near the brain stem overlying the medulla and to deliver electrical stimulation energy to the target nerve tissue in the brain stem, the stimulation lead having a generally spiral natural configuration, the spiral natural configuration comprising multiple turns, spacings between adjacent electrodes of the plurality of electrodes being varied between respective turns of the spiral natural configuration; creating an opening in the person's skull overlying the medulla; inserting a guide wire into the lead; inserting the lead, with the guide wire, through the opening in the skull overlying the medulla; removing the guide wire from the lead; and positioning the lead posteriorly on, in, or near the brain stem overlying the medulla for electrical stimulation of the target nerve tissue in the brain stem, wherein, upon assuming its spiral natural configuration, electrodes of the stimulation lead form a generally rectangular array overlying the medulla.