Means and method for the intracranial placement of a neurostimulator

Abstract

Disclosed is a means and method for placing an implantable neurostimulator control module into a place in the cranium where cranial bone has been removed. The method for accomplishing this cranial implantation is by first removing a patient's hair over the site of the implant, then cutting the scalp at that site and pulling it back to expose the cranium. A neurosurgeon would then remove a portion of the cranial bone to accept a control module to be implanted within that hole. The control module would then be placed into that hole. It is also conceived that the control module would be fixed in place by the use of one or more attachment devices such as a multiplicity of bone screws placed through holes in one or more flanges that extend over the cranium beyond the control module. The implantation could also include a fairing placed around the control module to provide a smooth contour under the patient's scalp. Also described is a spacer shim placed under the flange(s) to adjust the position of the control module so that its bottom surface does not put pressure on the dura mater lying directly over the brain tissue at the bottom of the hole. It is also envisioned that a resorbable disk could be placed under the bottom surface of the control module to further protect the brain and/or to elute an anti-biotic or anti-inflammatory substance to reduce the possibility of infection and/or inflammation.