Percutaneous flat lead introducer
First Claim
1. A stimulation lead introducer for facilitating implantation of a lead, the stimulation lead introducer comprising:
- an elongated dilator defining a dilator lumen sized to advance over a guidewire, the elongated dilator comprising a dilator body and a substantially deformable distal tip extending from a distal end of the dilator body, wherein a cross-section of the dilator body is oblong, and a cross-section of at least a portion of the distal tip is oblong, the elongated dilator being configured to widen a path through an epidural region proximate a spine of a patient by following the guidewire through the epidural region proximate the spine of the patient; and
an elongated sheath defining a sheath lumen, at least a portion of the sheath lumen being sized to accommodate the dilator, wherein the sheath is configured to facilitate advancement of the lead along a portion of the path when the dilator is not present in the sheath, wherein the sheath includes a sheath material that is substantially deformable, and wherein the dilator is configured to extend beyond a distal end of the sheath lumen.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In general, the invention is directed to a technique for percutaneously introducing a stimulation lead into a target stimulation site via the epidural region proximate the spine of a patient. The process of introducing the stimulation lead may include the use of a hollow stimulation lead introducer, which comprises an elongated sheath and an elongated dilator. The dilator fits within the sheath and serves to widen a path through the epidural region for the introduction of a stimulation lead. At least a portion of the stimulation lead introducer has an oblong cross-section, allowing passage of stimulation leads such as paddle leads. The stimulation lead introducer may enter the epidural region proximate a spine of a patient via a guidewire. The stimulation lead introducer provides a path through the epidural region of a patient to a target stimulation site. A stimulation lead may travel through the path to reach the target stimulation site where it may provide therapy to the patient.
209 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A stimulation lead introducer for facilitating implantation of a lead, the stimulation lead introducer comprising:
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an elongated dilator defining a dilator lumen sized to advance over a guidewire, the elongated dilator comprising a dilator body and a substantially deformable distal tip extending from a distal end of the dilator body, wherein a cross-section of the dilator body is oblong, and a cross-section of at least a portion of the distal tip is oblong, the elongated dilator being configured to widen a path through an epidural region proximate a spine of a patient by following the guidewire through the epidural region proximate the spine of the patient; and an elongated sheath defining a sheath lumen, at least a portion of the sheath lumen being sized to accommodate the dilator, wherein the sheath is configured to facilitate advancement of the lead along a portion of the path when the dilator is not present in the sheath, wherein the sheath includes a sheath material that is substantially deformable, and wherein the dilator is configured to extend beyond a distal end of the sheath lumen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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10. A method for introducing a stimulation lead comprising:
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inserting a needle into an epidural region proximate a spine of a patient; inserting a guidewire into the needle such that a distal end of the guidewire extends within the epidural region proximate the spine of the patient; withdrawing the needle over the guidewire from the epidural region of the patient; inserting a stimulation lead introducer to a target site within the epidural region proximate the spine of the patient via the guidewire following withdrawal of the needle, the stimulation lead introducer widening a path created by the needle to have a substantially oblong cross-section, wherein the introducer includes; an elongated dilator defining a dilator lumen sized to advance over a guidewire, the elongated dilator comprising a dilator body and a substantially deformable distal tip extending from a distal end of the dilator body, wherein a cross-section of the dilator body is oblong, and a cross-section of at least a portion of the distal tip is oblong, the elongated dilator being configured to widen a path through an epidural region proximate a spine of a patient by following the guidewire through the epidural region proximate the spine of the patient; and an elongated sheath defining a sheath lumen, at least a portion of the sheath lumen being sized to accommodate the dilator, wherein the sheath is configured to facilitate advancement of the lead along a portion of the path when the dilator is not present in the sheath, wherein the sheath includes a sheath material that is substantially deformable, and wherein the dilator is configured to extend beyond a distal end of the sheath lumen;
withdrawing the guidewire from the epidural region proximate the spine of the patient;
withdrawing the dilator from the sheath; andintroducing the stimulation lead within the epidural region proximate the spine of the patient via the sheath following withdrawal of the dilator and the guidewire. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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17. A kit for implanting a lead proximate a spine of a patient via a path through the epidural region proximate the spine, the kit comprising:
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a needle configured for insertion into the epidural region proximate the spine of the patient; a guidewire sized to pass through a lumen of the needle and into the epidural region proximate the spine of the patient; and a stimulation lead introducer, wherein the stimulation lead introducer includes; an elongated dilator defining a dilator lumen sized to advance over a guidewire, the elongated dilator comprising a dilator body and a substantially deformable distal tip extending from a distal end of the dilator body, wherein a cross-section of the dilator body is oblong, and a cross-section of at least a portion of the distal tip is oblong, the elongated dilator being configured to widen a path through an epidural region proximate a spine of a patient by following the guidewire through the epidural region proximate the spine of the patient; and an elongated sheath defining a sheath lumen, at least a portion of the sheath lumen being sized to accommodate the dilator, wherein the sheath is configured to facilitate advancement of the lead along a portion of the path when the dilator is not present in the sheath, wherein the sheath includes a sheath material that is substantially deformable, and wherein the dilator is configured to extend beyond a distal end of the sheath lumen. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 29)
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Specification