| abstract |
A catheter has at least one removable, temporary stimulation electrode for positioning of the catheter prior to delivery of a therapeutic substance, such as pharmaceutical or biological therapy, to the nervous system of a patient. A stylet having at least one temporary stimulation electrode disposed at its distal end is removably positioned within a lumen of the catheter. A test stimulation is delivered via the temporary stimulation electrode to produce a patient response. If the patient response is not consistent with proper positioning of the distal end of the catheter with respect to the target tissue, the distal end of the catheter is repositioned and another test stimulation is delivered. This process is repeated until the patient response is consistent with proper positioning of the distal end of the catheter. The stylet and its associated temporary stimulation electrode are then removed from the lumen, leaving the catheter in position with respect to the target tissue. A therapeutic substance may then be delivered to the target tissue via the lumen. |