Patent ID: 7831306

Claim:
A method for electrically stimulating an area in a spinal disc of a patient, comprising: implanting a pulse generator in the body of the patient; implanting at least one steerable lead having at least one electrode disposed along a longitudinal axis of the lead at a placement site for stimulating a spinal disc having posterior and anterior sides such that the lead is disposed exterior and immediately over an annulus of the spinal disc and such that the at least one electrode contacts the annulus as the longitudinal axis follows around a perimeter of the annulus of the spinal disc, wherein following around the annulus includes following the perimeter either towards the disc's posterior side from the disc's anterior side or toward the disc's anterior side from the disc's posterior side; connecting the lead to a pulse generator; and generating electrical stimulation pulses using the pulse generator and the at least one electrode to stimulate targeted portions of the spinal disc to repetitively stimulate nerve fibers within the target portions of the spinal disc, wherein the stimulation of nerve fibers provides pain relief coverage of pain signals originating in the spinal disc.