Minimally invasive apparatus for implanting a sacral stimulation lead

• US 20020147485A1
• Filed: 04/07/2001
• Published: 10/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Laura Mamo, Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Laura Mamo
• Inventors: Spinelli, Michele, Mamo, George, Swoyer, John Matthew, Carlton, Keith Richard, Gerber, Martin Theodore
• Granted Patent: US 6,847,849 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for implanting a stimulation lead in a patient'"'"'s sacrum to deliver neurostimulation therapy that can reduce patient surgical complications, reduce patient recovery time, and reduce healthcare costs. A surgical instrumentation kit for minimally invasive implantation of a sacral stimulation lead through a foramen of the sacrum in a patient to electrically stimulate a sacral nerve comprises a needle and a dilator and optionally includes a guide wire. The needle is adapted to be inserted posterior to the sacrum through an entry point and guided into a foramen along an insertion path to a desired location. In one variation, a guide wire is inserted through a needle lumen, and the needle is withdrawn. The insertion path is dilated with a dilator inserted over the needle or over the guide wire to a diameter sufficient for inserting a stimulation lead, and the needle or guide wire is removed from the insertion path. The dilator optionally includes a dilator body and a dilator sheath fitted over the dilator body. The stimulation lead is inserted to the desired location through the dilator body lumen or the dilator sheath lumen after removal of the dilator body, and the dilator sheath or body is removed from the insertion path. If the clinician desires to separately anchor the stimulation lead, an incision is created through the entry point from an epidermis to a fascia layer, and the stimulation lead is anchored to the fascia layer. The stimulation lead can be connected to the neurostimulator to delivery therapies to treat pelvic floor disorders such as urinary control disorders, fecal control disorders, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain.

Claims

1. A surgical instrumentation kit for minimally invasive implantation of a sacral stimulation lead through a foramen of the sacrum in a patient to electrically stimulate a sacral nerve, the sacral stimulation lead of the type having a lead body extending between a lead body proximal end and a lead body distal end, the lead body having a lead body diameter extending from the lead body proximal end and lead body distal end, the lead body further enclosing at least one electrical conductor extending between at least one proximally located electrical connector adapted to be coupled to an electrical stimulation pulse generator and at least one distally located stimulation electrode adapted to apply electrical stimulation to a sacral nerve, the kit comprising:

a needle having a needle diameter and needle length extending from a needle distal end capable of penetrating body tissue and a needle proximal end, the needle adapted to be grasped by a medical clinician with the needle distal end directed toward and inserted through an entry point of the skin or a skin incision posterior to the sacrum and guided along an insertion path into a foramen to locate at least a distal portion of the needle extending alongside a sacral nerve and a proximal portion of the needle extending from the entry point away from the patient'"'"'s skin; and

a dilator having a dilator body diameter, a dilator body length extending between a dilator proximal end and a dilator distal end, and a dilator body lumen extending from the dilator proximal end to the dilator distal end and having a dilator body lumen diameter sized in operative relation to the lead body diameter and the needle diameter to selectively receive the needle and the lead body therein,

whereby the dilator is adapted to be inserted over the needle proximal end to locate the needle within the dilator body lumen and to be advanced distally over the needle through the insertion path to dilate the insertion path to the dilator diameter, the needle is adapted to be withdrawn through the dilator body lumen, the stimulation lead is adapted to be advanced through the dilator body lumen to locate the stimulation lead electrode into operative relation to the sacral nerve, and the dilator is adapted to be withdrawn over the stimulation lead body.

2. The kit as in claim 1, further comprising:

means for creating an incision through the entry point of the epidermis to a fascia layer;

means for anchoring the stimulation lead to the fascia layer upon withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead electrode; and

means for closing the incision.

3. The kit as in claim 1, wherein the needle further comprises an electrically conductive needle body providing a distal electrical stimulation electrode end and a proximal electrical connector, the needle body electrically insulated in a region grasped by the medical clinician between the electrical stimulation electrode and electrical connector, whereby the distal needle body location in relation to a sacral nerve can be assessed by delivering electrical stimulation through the needle to evoke a patient response signifying the distal needle body location.

4. The kit as in claim 3, wherein the needle body is marked by depth marks enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the needle through the insertion path and the depth of insertion of the dilator over the needle body.

5. The kit as in claim 1, wherein the needle comprises a needle body marked by depth marks enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the needle through the insertion path and the depth of insertion of the dilator over the needle body.

6. The kit as in claim 1, wherein the needle diameter is in the range from about 0.46 mm to about 2.80 mm.

7. The kit as in claim 1, wherein the dilator diameter is in the range from about 0.33 mm to about4.00 mm.

8. The kit as in claim 1, wherein the needle is selected from the group consisting of a needle without a hub, a needle with a removable hub, a solid rod with a sharp tip, and a foramen needle modified to have an extended length.

9. The kit as in claim 1, further comprising an anchor selected from the group consisting of a suture anchor and a twist-lock suture anchor for anchoring the stimulation lead to the fascia layer upon withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead body.

10. A surgical instrumentation kit for minimally invasive implantation of a sacral stimulation lead through a foramen of the sacrum in a patient to electrically stimulate a sacral nerve, the sacral stimulation lead of the type having a lead body extending between a lead body proximal end and a lead body distal end, the lead body having a lead body diameter and enclosing at least one electrical conductor extending between at least at least one proximally located electrical connector adapted to be coupled to an electrical stimulation pulse generator and at least one distally located stimulation electrode adapted to apply electrical stimulation to a sacral nerve, the kit comprising:

a needle having a needle diameter, a needle length extending from a needle distal end capable of penetrating body tissue and a needle proximal end, and a needle lumen extending from the needle proximal end and needle distal end, the needle adapted to be grasped by a medical clinician with the needle distal end directed toward and inserted through an entry point of the skin or a skin incision posterior to the sacrum and guided along an insertion path into a foramen to locate at least a distal portion of the needle extending alongside a sacral nerve and a proximal portion of the needle extending from the entry point away from the patient'"'"'s skin;

a guide wire having a guide wire diameter sized to fit through the needle lumen and a guide wire length extending between a guide wire proximal end and a guide wire distal end, the guide wire adapted to be inserted through the needle lumen to locate a distal portion of the guide wire through the foramen of the sacrum; and

a dilator having a dilator body diameter, a dilator body length extending between a dilator proximal end and a dilator distal end, and a dilator body lumen extending from the dilator proximal end to the dilator distal end and having a dilator body lumen diameter sized in operative relation to the lead body diameter and the guide wire diameter,

whereby the needle is adapted to be withdrawn over the guide wire, the dilator is adapted to be inserted over the guide wire proximal end to locate the guide wire within the dilator body lumen and to be advanced distally over the guide wire through the insertion path to dilate the insertion path to the dilator diameter, the guide wire is adapted to be withdrawn through the dilator body lumen, the stimulation lead is adapted to be advanced through the dilator body lumen to locate the stimulation lead electrode into operative relation to the sacral nerve, and the dilator is adapted to be withdrawn over the stimulation lead body.

11. The kit as in claim 10, further comprising:

means for creating an incision through the entry point of the epidermis to a fascia layer;

means for anchoring the stimulation lead to the fascia layer upon withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead electrode; and

means for closing the incision.

12. The kit as in claim 10, wherein the needle further comprises an electrically conductive needle body providing a distal electrical stimulation electrode and a proximal electrical connector, the needle body electrically insulated in a region grasped by the medical clinician between the electrical stimulation electrode and electrical connector, whereby the distal needle body location in relation to a sacral nerve can be assessed by delivering electrical stimulation through the needle to evoke a patient response signifying the distal needle body location.

13. The kit as in claim 12, wherein the needle comprises a needle body marked by depth marks enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the needle through the insertion path

14. The kit as in claim 10, wherein the guide wire is marked by depth marks enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the guide wire through the needle lumen to locate the guide wire distal end through the foramen of the sacrum and enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the dilator over the guide wire.

15. The kit as in claim 10, wherein the needle diameter is in the range from about 0.46 mm to about 2.80 mm..

16. The kit as in claim 10, wherein the dilator diameter is in the range from about 0.33 mm to about 4.00 mm.

17. The kit as in claim 10, wherein the needle is selected from the group consisting of a needle without a hub, a needle with a removable hub, a solid rod with a sharp tip, and a foramen needle modified to have an extended length.

18. The kit as in claim 10, further comprising an anchor selected from the group consisting of a suture anchor and a twist-lock suture anchor for anchoring the stimulation lead to the fascia layer upon withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead body.

20. The kit as in claim 19, further comprising:

means for creating an incision through the entry point of the epidermis to a fascia layer;

means for anchoring the stimulation lead to the fascia layer upon withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead electrode; and

means for closing the incision.

21. The kit as in claim 19, wherein the needle further comprises an electrically conductive needle body providing a distal electrical stimulation electrode and a proximal electrical connector, the needle body electrically insulated in a region grasped by the medical clinician between the electrical stimulation electrode and electrical connector, whereby the distal needle body location in relation to a sacral nerve can be assessed by delivering electrical stimulation through the needle to evoke a patient response signifying the distal needle body location.

22. The kit as in claim 21, wherein the needle comprises a needle body marked by depth marks enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the needle through the insertion path and the depth of insertion of the dilator over the needle body.

23. The kit as in claim 19, wherein the needle comprises a needle body marked by depth marks enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the needle through the insertion path and the depth of insertion of the dilator over the needle body.

24. The kit as in claim 19, wherein the needle diameter is in the range from about 0.46 mm to about 2.80 mm.

25. The kit as in claim 19, wherein the dilator diameter is in the range from about 0.33 mm to about 4.00 mm.

26. The kit as in claim 19, wherein the needle is selected from the group consisting of a needle without a hub, a needle with a removable hub, a solid rod with a sharp tip, and a foramen needle modified to have an extended length.

27. The kit as in claim 19, further comprising an anchor selected from the group consisting of a suture anchor and a twist-lock suture anchor for anchoring the stimulation lead to the fascia layer upon withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead body.

29. The kit as in claim 28, further comprising:

means for creating an incision through the entry point of the epidermis to a fascia layer;

means for anchoring the stimulation lead to the fascia layer upon withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead electrode; and

means for closing the incision.

30. The kit as in claim 28, wherein the needle further comprises an electrically conductive needle body providing a distal electrical stimulation electrode and a proximal electrical connector, the needle body electrically insulated in a region grasped by the medical clinician between the electrical stimulation electrode and electrical connector, whereby the distal needle body location in relation to a sacral nerve can be assessed by delivering electrical stimulation through the needle to evoke a patient response signifying the distal needle body location.

31. The kit as in claim 30, wherein the needle body is marked by depth marks enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the needle through the insertion path.

32. The kit as in claim 28, wherein the guide wire is marked by depth marks enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the guide wire through the needle lumen to locate the guide wire distal end through the foramen of the sacrum and enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the dilator over the guide wire.

33. The kit as in claim 28, wherein the needle diameter is in the range from about 0.46 mm to about 2.80 mm.

34. The kit as in claim 28, wherein the dilator diameter is in the range from about 0.33 mm to about 4.00 mm.

35. The kit as in claim 28, wherein the needle is selected from the group consisting of a needle without a hub, a needle with a removable hub, a solid rod with a sharp tip, and a foramen needle modified to have an extended length.

36. The kit as in claim 28, further comprising an anchor selected from the group consisting of a suture anchor and a twist-lock suture anchor for anchoring the stimulation lead to the fascia layer upon withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead body.

38. The kit as in claim 37, further comprising:

means for creating an incision through the entry point of the epidermis to a fascia layer;

means for anchoring the stimulation lead to the fascia layer upon withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead electrode; and

means for closing the incision.

39. The kit as in claim 37, wherein the needle further comprises an electrically conductive needle body providing a distal electrical stimulation electrode end and a proximal electrical connector, the needle body electrically insulated in a region grasped by the medical clinician between the electrical stimulation electrode and electrical connector, whereby the distal needle body location in relation to a sacral nerve can be assessed by delivering electrical stimulation through the needle to evoke a patient response signifying the distal needle body location.

40. The kit as in claim 39, wherein the needle body is marked by depth marks enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the needle through the insertion path and the depth of insertion of the dilator over the needle body.

41. The kit as in claim 37, wherein the needle comprises a needle body marked by depth marks enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the needle through the insertion path and the depth of insertion of the dilator over the needle body.

42. The kit as in claim 37, wherein the needle diameter is in the range from about 0.46 mm to about 2.80 mm.

43. The kit as in claim 37, wherein the dilator sheath diameter is in the range from about0.33 mm to about 4.00 mm.

44. The kit as in claim 37, wherein the needle is selected from the group consisting of a needle without a hub, a needle with a removable hub, a solid rod with a sharp tip, and a foramen needle modified to have an extended length.

45. The kit as in claim 37, further comprising an anchor selected from the group consisting of a suture anchor and a twist-lock suture anchor for anchoring the stimulation lead to the fascia layer upon withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead body.

47. The kit as in claim 46, further comprising:

means for creating an incision through the entry point of the epidermis to a fascia layer;

means for anchoring the stimulation lead to the fascia layer upon withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead electrode; and

means for closing the incision.

48. The kit as in claim 46, wherein the needle further comprises an electrically conductive needle body providing a distal electrical stimulation electrode end and a proximal electrical connector, the needle body electrically insulated in a region grasped by the medical clinician between the electrical stimulation electrode and electrical connector, whereby the distal needle body location in relation to a sacral nerve can be assessed by delivering electrical stimulation through the needle to evoke a patient response signifying the distal needle body location.

49. The kit as in claim 48, wherein the needle body is marked by depth marks enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the needle through the insertion path.

50. The kit as in claim 46, wherein the guide wire is marked by depth marks enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the guide wire through the needle lumen to locate the guide wire distal end through the foramen of the sacrum and enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the dilator over the guide wire.

51. The kit as in claim 46, wherein the needle diameter is in the range from about 0.46 mm to about 2.80 mm.

52. The kit as in claim 46, wherein the dilator sheath diameter is in the range from about 0.33 mm to about 4.00 mm.

53. The kit as in claim 46, wherein the needle is selected from the group consisting of a needle without a hub, a needle with a removable hub, a solid rod with a sharp tip, and a foramen needle modified to have an extended length.

54. The kit as in claim 46, further comprising an anchor selected from the group consisting of a suture anchor and a twist-lock suture anchor for anchoring the stimulation lead to the fascia layer upon withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead body.

19. A surgical instrumentation kit for minimally invasive implantation of a sacral stimulation lead through a foramen of the sacrum in a patient to electrically stimulate a sacral nerve, the sacral stimulation lead of the type having a lead body extending between a lead body proximal end and a lead body distal end, the lead body having a lead body diameter extending from the lead body proximal end and lead body distal end, the lead body further enclosing at least one electrical conductor extending between at least one proximally located electrical connector adapted to be coupled to an electrical stimulation pulse generator and at least one distally located stimulation electrode adapted to apply electrical stimulation to a sacral nerve, the kit comprising:

a needle having a needle diameter and needle length extending from a needle distal end capable of penetrating body tissue and a needle proximal end, the needle adapted to be grasped by a medical clinician with the needle distal end directed toward and inserted through an entry point of the skin or a skin incision posterior to the sacrum and guided along an insertion path into a foramen to locate at least a distal portion of the needle extending alongside a sacral nerve and a proximal portion of the needle extending from the entry point away from the patient'"'"'s skin; and

a dilator having a dilator body diameter, a dilator body length extending between a dilator proximal end and a dilator distal end, and a dilator body lumen extending from the dilator proximal end to the dilator distal end and having a dilator body lumen diameter sized in operative relation to the lead body diameter and the needle diameter to selectively receive the needle and the lead body therein so that the dilator is insertable over the needle proximal end to locate the needle within the dilator body lumen to be capable of being advanced distally over the needle through the insertion path to dilate the insertion path to the dilator diameter and to allow the needle to be withdrawn through the dilator body lumen and to allow the stimulation lead to be advanced through the dilator body lumen to locate the stimulation lead electrode in operative relation to the sacral nerve and to allow the dilator to be withdrawn over the stimulation lead body.

28. A surgical instrumentation kit for minimally invasive implantation of a sacral stimulation lead through a foramen of the sacrum in a patient to electrically stimulate a sacral nerve, the sacral stimulation lead of the type having a lead body extending between a lead body proximal end and a lead body distal end, the lead body having a lead body diameter and enclosing at least one electrical conductor extending between at least at least one proximally located electrical connector adapted to be coupled to an electrical stimulation pulse generator and at least one distally located stimulation electrode adapted to apply electrical stimulation to a sacral nerve and a lead body lumen extending from the lead body proximal end and lead body distal end, the kit comprising:

a needle having a needle diameter, a needle length extending from a needle distal end capable of penetrating body tissue and a needle proximal end, and a needle lumen extending from the needle proximal end and needle distal end, the needle adapted to be grasped by a medical clinician with the needle distal end directed toward and inserted through an entry point of the skin or a skin incision posterior to the sacrum and guided along an insertion path into a foramen to locate at least a distal portion of the needle extending alongside a sacral nerve and a proximal portion of the needle extending from the entry point away from the patient'"'"'s skin;

a guide wire having a guide wire diameter sized to fit through the needle lumen and the stimulation lead lumen and a guide wire length extending between a guide wire proximal end and a guide wire distal end, the guide wire adapted to be inserted through the needle lumen to locate a distal portion of the guide wire through the foramen of the sacrum enabling withdrawal of the needle over the guide wire; and

a dilator having a dilator body diameter, a dilator body length extending between a dilator proximal end and a dilator distal end, and a dilator body lumen extending from the dilator proximal end to the dilator distal end and having a dilator body lumen diameter sized in operative relation to the guide wire diameter to enable insertion of the dilator over the guide wire proximal end to locate the guide wire within the dilator body lumen, to enable advancement of the dilator distally over the guide wire through the insertion path to dilate the insertion path to the dilator diameter, and to allow the guide wire to be withdrawn through the dilator body lumen, the dilator body lumen sized with respect o the lead body diameter to allow the stimulation lead to be advanced through the dilator body lumen to locate the stimulation lead electrode into operative relation to the sacral nerve and to allow withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead body.

37. A surgical instrumentation kit for minimally invasive implantation of a sacral stimulation lead through a foramen of the sacrum in a patient to electrically stimulate a sacral nerve, the sacral stimulation lead of the type having a lead body extending between a lead body proximal end and a lead body distal end, the lead body having a lead body diameter extending from the lead body proximal end and lead body distal end, the lead body further enclosing at least one electrical conductor extending between at least one proximally located electrical connector adapted to be coupled to an electrical stimulation pulse generator and at least one distally located stimulation electrode adapted to apply electrical stimulation to a sacral nerve, the kit comprising:

a needle having a needle diameter and needle length extending from a needle distal end capable of penetrating body tissue and a needle proximal end, the needle adapted to be grasped by a medical clinician with the needle distal end directed toward and inserted through an entry point of the skin or a skin incision posterior to the sacrum and guided along an insertion path into a foramen to locate at least a distal portion of the needle extending alongside a sacral nerve and a proximal portion of the needle extending from the entry point away from the patient'"'"'s skin; and

a dilator comprising a dilator body having a dilator body diameter, a dilator body length extending between a dilator proximal end and a dilator distal end, and a dilator body lumen extending from the dilator proximal end to the dilator distal end and having a dilator body lumen diameter sized in operative relation to the needle diameter to receive the needle therein,

the dilator further comprising a dilator sheath having a dilator sheath diameter, a dilator sheath length extending between a dilator sheath proximal end and a dilator sheath distal end, and a dilator sheath lumen extending from the dilator sheath proximal end to the dilator sheath distal end and having a dilator sheath lumen diameter sized in operative relation to the lead body diameter and the dilator body diameter to selectively receive the dilator body and the lead body therein,

whereby the dilator sheath and dilator body are adapted to be assembled with the dilator body received within the dilator sheath lumen, the dilator body is adapted to be inserted over the needle proximal end to locate the needle within the dilator body lumen and to be advanced distally over the needle through the insertion path to dilate the insertion path to the dilator sheath diameter, the needle is adapted to be withdrawn through the dilator body lumen, the dilator body is adapted to be withdrawn through the dilator sheath lumen, the stimulation lead is adapted to be advanced through the dilator sheath lumen to locate the stimulation lead electrode into operative relation to the sacral nerve, and the dilator sheath is adapted to be withdrawn over the stimulation lead body.

46. A surgical instrumentation kit for minimally invasive implantation of a sacral stimulation lead through a foramen of the sacrum in a patient to electrically stimulate a sacral nerve, the sacral stimulation lead of the type having a lead body extending between a lead body proximal end and a lead body distal end, the lead body having a lead body diameter and enclosing at least one electrical conductor extending between at least at least one proximally located electrical connector adapted to be coupled to an electrical stimulation pulse generator and at least one distally located stimulation electrode adapted to apply electrical stimulation to a sacral nerve, the kit comprising:

a needle having a needle diameter, a needle length extending from a needle distal end capable of penetrating body tissue and a needle proximal end, and a needle lumen extending from the needle proximal end and needle distal end, the needle adapted to be grasped by a medical clinician with the needle distal end directed toward and inserted through an entry point of the skin or a skin incision posterior to the sacrum and guided along an insertion path into a foramen to locate at least a distal portion of the needle extending alongside a sacral nerve and a proximal portion of the needle extending from the entry point away from the patient'"'"'s skin; and

a guide wire having a guide wire diameter sized to fit through the needle lumen and the stimulation lead lumen and a guide wire length extending between a guide wire proximal end and a guide wire distal end, the guide wire adapted to be inserted through the needle lumen to locate a distal portion of the guide wire through the foramen of the sacrum; and

a dilator comprising a dilator body having a dilator body diameter, a dilator body length extending between a dilator proximal end and a dilator distal end, and a dilator body lumen extending from the dilator proximal end to the dilator distal end and having a dilator body lumen diameter sized in operative relation to the guide wire diameter to receive the guide wire therein,

the dilator further comprising a dilator sheath having a dilator sheath diameter, a dilator sheath length extending between a dilator sheath proximal end and a dilator sheath distal end, and a dilator sheath lumen extending from the dilator sheath proximal end to the dilator sheath distal end and having a dilator sheath lumen diameter sized in operative relation to the lead body diameter and the dilator body diameter to selectively receive the dilator body and the lead body therein,

whereby the dilator sheath and dilator body are adapted to be assembled with the dilator body received within the dilator sheath lumen, the dilator body is adapted to be inserted over the guide wire proximal end to locate the guide wire within the dilator body lumen and to be advanced distally over the guide wire through the insertion path to dilate the insertion path to the dilator sheath diameter, the guide wire is adapted to be withdrawn through the dilator body lumen, the dilator body is adapted to be withdrawn through the dilator sheath lumen, the stimulation lead is adapted to be advanced through the dilator sheath lumen to locate the stimulation lead electrode into operative relation to the sacral nerve, and the dilator sheath is adapted to be withdrawn over the stimulation lead body.

55. A surgical instrumentation kit for minimally invasive implantation of a sacral stimulation lead through a foramen of the sacrum in a patient to electrically stimulate a sacral nerve, the sacral stimulation lead of the type having a lead body extending between a lead body proximal end and a lead body distal end, the lead body having a lead body diameter extending from the lead body proximal end and lead body distal end, the lead body further enclosing at least one electrical conductor extending between at least one proximally located electrical connector adapted to be coupled to an electrical stimulation pulse generator and at least one distally located stimulation electrode adapted to apply electrical stimulation to a sacral nerve, the kit comprising:

a needle having a needle diameter and needle length extending from a needle distal end capable of penetrating body tissue and a needle proximal end, the needle adapted to be grasped by a medical clinician with the needle distal end directed toward and inserted through an entry point of the skin or a skin incision posterior to the sacrum and guided along an insertion path into a foramen to locate at least a distal portion of the needle extending alongside a sacral nerve and a proximal portion of the needle extending from the entry point away from the patient'"'"'s skin; and

a dilator formed of a dilator body and a dilator sheath, the dilator body having a dilator body diameter, a dilator body length extending between a dilator proximal end and a dilator distal end, and a dilator body lumen extending from the dilator proximal end to the dilator distal end, the dilator sheath having a dilator sheath diameter, a dilator sheath length extending between a dilator sheath proximal end and a dilator sheath distal end, and a dilator sheath lumen extending from the dilator sheath proximal end to the dilator sheath distal end, the dilator sheath lumen having a dilator sheath lumen diameter sized in operative relation to the dilator body diameter to selectively receive the dilator body therein to assemble the dilator, the dilator body lumen having a dilator body lumen diameter sized in operative relation to the needle diameter to advance the dilator over the needle proximal end and distally over the needle through the insertion path to dilate the insertion path to the dilator sheath diameter and to allow the needle to be withdrawn through the dilator body lumen, the dilator sheath lumen diameter sized in operative relation to the lead body to allow the stimulation lead to be advanced through the dilator sheath lumen to locate the stimulation lead electrode in operative relation to the sacral nerve and to allow the dilator sheath to be withdrawn over the stimulation lead body.

56. The kit as in claim 55, further comprising:

means for creating an incision through the entry point of the epidermis to a fascia layer;

means for anchoring the stimulation lead to the fascia layer upon withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead electrode; and

means for closing the incision.

57. The kit as in claim 55, wherein the needle further comprises an electrically conductive needle body providing a distal electrical stimulation electrode end and a proximal electrical connector, the needle body electrically insulated in a region grasped by the medical clinician between the electrical stimulation electrode and electrical connector, whereby the distal needle body location in relation to a sacral nerve can be assessed by delivering electrical stimulation through the needle to evoke a patient response signifying the distal needle body location.

58. The kit as in claim 57, wherein the needle body is marked by depth marks enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the needle through the insertion path and the depth of insertion of the dilator over the needle body.

59. The kit as in claim 55, wherein the needle comprises a needle body marked by depth marks enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the needle through the insertion path and the depth of insertion of the dilator over the needle body.

60. The kit as in claim 55, wherein the needle diameter is in the range from about 0.46 mm to about 2.80 mm.

61. The kit as in claim 55, wherein the dilator sheath diameter is in the range from about 0.33 mm to about 4.00 mm.

62. The kit as in claim 55, wherein the needle is selected from the group consisting of a needle without a hub, a needle with a removable hub, a solid rod with a sharp tip, and a foramen needle modified to have an extended length.

63. The kit as in claim 55, further comprising an anchor selected from the group consisting of a suture anchor and a twist-lock suture anchor for anchoring the stimulation lead to the fascia layer upon withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead body.

64. A surgical instrumentation kit for minimally invasive implantation of a sacral stimulation lead through a foramen of the sacrum in a patient to electrically stimulate a sacral nerve, the sacral stimulation lead of the type having a lead body extending between a lead body proximal end and a lead body distal end, the lead body having a lead body diameter and enclosing at least one electrical conductor extending between at least at least one proximally located electrical connector adapted to be coupled to an electrical stimulation pulse generator and at least one distally located stimulation electrode adapted to apply electrical stimulation to a sacral nerve, the kit comprising:

a needle having a needle diameter, a needle length extending from a needle distal end capable of penetrating body tissue and a needle proximal end, and a needle lumen extending from the needle proximal end and needle distal end, the needle adapted to be grasped by a medical clinician with the needle distal end directed toward and inserted through an entry point of the skin or a skin incision posterior to the sacrum and guided along an insertion path into a foramen to locate at least a distal portion of the needle extending alongside a sacral nerve and a proximal portion of the needle extending from the entry point away from the patient'"'"'s skin; and

a guide wire having a guide wire diameter sized to fit through the needle lumen and the stimulation lead lumen and a guide wire length extending between a guide wire proximal end and a guide wire distal end to enable insertion of the guide wire through the needle lumen to locate a distal portion of the guide wire through the foramen of the sacrum and to enable withdrawal of the needle over the guide wire; and

a dilator formed of a dilator body and a dilator sheath, the dilator body having a dilator body diameter, a dilator body length extending between a dilator proximal end and a dilator distal end, and a dilator body lumen extending from the dilator proximal end to the dilator distal end, the dilator sheath having a dilator sheath diameter, a dilator sheath length extending between a dilator sheath proximal end and a dilator sheath distal end, and a dilator sheath lumen extending from the dilator sheath proximal end to the dilator sheath distal end, the dilator sheath lumen having a dilator sheath lumen diameter sized in operative relation to the dilator body diameter to selectively receive the dilator body therein to assemble the dilator body and dilator sheath as the dilator, the dilator body lumen having a dilator body lumen diameter sized in operative relation to the guide wire diameter to advance the dilator over the guide wire proximal end and distally over the guide wire through the insertion path to dilate the insertion path to the dilator sheath diameter and to allow the guide wire to be withdrawn through the dilator body lumen, the dilator sheath lumen diameter sized in operative relation to the lead body to allow the stimulation lead to be advanced through the dilator sheath lumen to locate the stimulation lead electrode in operative relation to the sacral nerve and to allow the dilator sheath to be withdrawn over the stimulation lead body.

65. The kit as in claim 64, further comprising:

means for creating an incision through the entry point of the epidermis to a fascia layer;

means for anchoring the stimulation lead to the fascia layer upon withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead electrode; and

means for closing the incision.

66. The kit as in claim 64, wherein the needle further comprises an electrically conductive needle body providing a distal electrical stimulation electrode end and a proximal electrical connector, the needle body electrically insulated in a region grasped by the medical clinician between the electrical stimulation electrode and electrical connector, whereby the distal needle body location in relation to a sacral nerve can be assessed by delivering electrical stimulation through the needle to evoke a patient response signifying the distal needle body location.

67. The kit as in claim 66, wherein the needle body is marked by depth marks enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the needle through the insertion path.

68. The kit as in claim 64, wherein the guide wire is marked by depth marks enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the guide wire through the needle lumen to locate the guide wire distal end through the foramen of the sacrum and enabling visualization of the depth of insertion of the dilator over the guide wire.

69. The kit as in claim 64, wherein the needle diameter is in the range from about 0.46 mm to about 2.80 mm.

70. The kit as in claim 64, wherein the dilator sheath diameter is in the range from about 0.33 mm to about 4.00 mm.

71. The kit as in claim 64, wherein the needle is selected from the group consisting of a needle without a hub, a needle with a removable hub, a solid rod with a sharp tip, and a foramen needle modified to have an extended length.

72. The kit as in claim 64, further comprising an anchor selected from the group consisting of a suture anchor and a twist-lock suture anchor for anchoring the stimulation lead to the fascia layer upon withdrawal of the dilator over the stimulation lead body.