Devices with cannula and electrode lead for brain stimulation and methods of use and manufacture

1. A method of stimulating a portion of a brain of a patient, the method comprising:

inserting a cannula into the brain of the patient, the cannula comprising a cannula body and a plurality of cannula electrodes, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of cannula electrodes are disposed circumferentially around the cannula to form a plurality of rings of electrodes around a circumference of the cannula body, wherein each ring of electrodes comprises at least two of the plurality of cannula electrodes and wherein the rings of electrodes are spaced apart from each other at different lateral distances from a tip of the cannula body;

using at least one of the plurality of cannula electrodes to find tissue to be stimulated, repositioning the cannula as needed to find the tissue to be stimulated;

inserting an electrode lead into the cannula, the electrode lead comprising at least one stimulating electrode;

removing the cannula from the brain leaving the electrode lead in place; and

stimulating the tissue using the at least one stimulating electrode.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrode lead is inserted into the cannula prior to inserting the cannula into the brain of the patient.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tissue is stimulated prior to removing the cannula from the brain.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the electrode lead into the cannula comprises aligning the at least one stimulating electrode with a one of the plurality of cannula electrodes of the cannula that is adjacent the tissue found for stimulation.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein using at least one of the plurality of cannula electrodes to find tissue to be stimulated comprises positioning the cannula within the brain and observing a signal at the cannula electrodes.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein using at least one of the plurality of cannula electrodes to find tissue to be stimulated further comprises repositioning the cannula at a second position within the brain and observing a signal at the cannula electrodes.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the cannula comprises inserting the cannula into the brain of the patient, wherein the cannula electrodes of each ring of electrodes are disposed in regular intervals around the circumference of the cannula.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the cannula comprises inserting the cannula into the brain of the patient, wherein the cannula further comprises a wall and at least one conductor coupled to the plurality of cannula electrodes, wherein the at least one conductor is disposed in, and passes through, material forming the wall of the cannula.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the electrode lead comprises inserting the electrode lead into the cannula, wherein at least one of the at least one stimulating electrode of the electrode lead is not ring-shaped.

10. A method of stimulating a portion of a brain of a patient, the method comprising:

inserting a cannula into the brain of the patient, the cannula comprising a cannula body and a plurality of cannula electrodes disposed on the cannula body, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of cannula electrodes are disposed in a helical arrangement around the cannula body;

using at least one of the plurality of cannula electrodes to find tissue to be stimulated, repositioning the cannula as needed to find the tissue to be stimulated;

inserting an electrode lead into the cannula, the electrode lead comprising at least one stimulating electrode;

removing the cannula from the brain leaving the electrode lead in place; and

stimulating the tissue using the at least one stimulating electrode.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrode lead is substantially less rigid than the cannula.

12. A cannula for insertion of an electrode lead to stimulate brain tissue, the cannula comprising:

a cannula body configured and arranged for insertion into the brain tissue and to receive the electrode lead; and

a plurality of cannula a electrodes disposed on the cannula body, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of cannula electrodes are disposed in a helical arrangement around the cannula body.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the tissue is stimulated prior to removing the cannula from the brain.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein inserting the electrode lead into the cannula comprises aligning the at least one stimulating electrode with a one of the plurality of cannula electrodes of the cannula that is adjacent the tissue found for stimulation.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein inserting the electrode lead comprises inserting the electrode lead into the cannula, wherein at least one of the at least one stimulating electrode of the electrode lead is not ring-shaped.