Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
4.14 Variety of leads available for SCS. The cylindrical leads may be passed
through a needle into the epidural space. The flat paddle leads require a
laminotomy procedure to remove the bone for insertion. The individual
electrodes may be programmed to be positive, negative, or off. Electrode
choices facilitate stimulation of the appropriate nerve fibers matching the
distribution of pain (courtesy of Medtronic, Inc.).
traverse the dura and have a portion of the lead within the cerebral spinal fluid
compartment, such as DBS therapies.
4.4.2 Materials for neurostimulators
Materials used for components of neurostimulators are similar to those in
cardiac pacing and defibrillation technologies. The INS electronics, like pace-
makers, are packaged in a titanium case. Some neurostimulation applications
require considerably more energy than cardiac pacing therapies because of
