Apparatus and method for providing an electrical field to a targeted area

1 . Electrical stimulation apparatus for providing a unipolar electrical field over a targeted area comprising:

a) an elongated flexible lead body having opposed proximal and distal end portions, the proximal end portion of the lead body including a connector for operative connection with a pulse generator; and

b) an electrode assembly operatively associated with the distal end portion of the lead body and electrically connected to the connector, the electrode assembly including:

i) a generally planar paddle member having defining a plurality of corner sections;

ii) at least one suture site located on the paddle member for anchoring the paddle member at an implantation site adjacent a targeted area; and

iii) a plurality of electrodes supported on the paddle member and operatively connected to the lead body, wherein each corner section of the paddle member supports a respective one of the plurality of electrodes so as to define an electrode array for generating a unipolar electrical field over the targeted area.

2 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a central electrode supported on the paddle member equidistant from each of the corner supported electrodes.

3 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a pulse generator operatively associated with the connector at to the proximal end of the lead body.

4 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising electrical conducting means extending through the lead body form electrically connecting the electrodes of the electrode assembly with the connector at the proximal end pf the lead body.

5 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the paddle member has a generally polygonal shape.

6 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a suture site is associated with each corner section of the paddle member.

7 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a suture site is defined at least in part by an aperture.

8 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each electrode of the electrode assembly is defined by an annular ring electrode.

9 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the distal end portion of the lead body is operatively associated with a corner section of the paddle member.

10 . Electrical stimulation apparatus for providing a unipolar electrical field over a targeted area of the brain, comprising:

a) an elongated flexible lead body having opposed proximal and distal end portions;

b) a connector operatively associated with the proximal end portion of the lead body for operative connection with an implanted pulse generator;

c) an electrode assembly operatively associated with the distal end portion of the lead body and electrically connected to the connector, the electrode assembly including:

i) a generally polygonal paddle member defining a plurality of corner sections;

ii) a suture site located at each corner section for securing the paddle member at an implantation site adjacent a targeted area of the brain; and

iii) an electrode disposed at each corner section of the paddle member so as to define an electrode array for generating a unipolar electrical field over the targeted area; and

d) conductor means extending through the lead body for electrically connecting the electrodes of the electrode assembly to the connector.

11 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a central electrode supported on the paddle member equidistant from each of the corner supported electrodes.

12 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the paddle member has a generally square configuration defining four corner sections.

13 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the suture site located at each corner section of the paddle member is spaced outwardly from the electrode disposed at such corner section of the paddle member.

14 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 10 , wherein each suture site is defined at least in part by an aperture.

15 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 10 , wherein each electrode of the electrode assembly is defined by an annular ring electrode.

16 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the distal end portion of the lead body is operatively associated with a corner section of the paddle member.

17 . Electrical stimulation apparatus for providing a unipolar electrical field over a targeted area of the brain, comprising:

a) an elongated flexible lead body having opposed proximal and distal end portions;

b) a connector operatively associated with the proximal end portion of the lead body for operative connection with an implanted pulse generator;

c) an electrode assembly operatively associated with the distal end portion of the lead body and electrically connected to the connector, the electrode assembly including:

i) a generally square paddle member defining four corner sections;

ii) a suture aperture located at each corner section for securing the paddle member at an implantation site adjacent a targeted area of the brain; and

iii) an electrode disposed at each corner section of the paddle member so as to define an electrode array for generating a unipolar electrical field over the targeted area; and

d) conductor means extending through the lead body for electrically connecting the electrodes of the electrode assembly to the connector.

18 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising a central electrode supported on the paddle member equidistant from each of the corner supported electrodes.

19 . The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 17 , wherein each electrode of the electrode assembly is defined by an annular ring electrode and the distal end portion of the lead body is operatively associated with a corner section of the paddle member.

20 . A method for settling stem cells as therapy comprising the steps of:

implanting stem cells locally in a lesioned area;

facilitating settlement of the stem cells by generating a positively-charged electrical field over the targeted area such that the positively-charged electrical field helps to collect and stabilize electrically charged stem cells thereto.

21 . A method as recited in claim 20 , further comprising the step of charging the stem cells.