Electrical tissue stimulation apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A kit comprising a needle and an implantable lead for stimulation of nerve tissue, muscle or organs, wherein the implantable lead is adapted to be passed through the needle;
- the lead comprising;
an elongate lead body having an axis and a tip; and
at least one extendable member having a distal portion adapted to curl upon itself when not-constrained to form an electrode and a proximal portion, the extendable member received at least in part within the lead body for axial movement between;
a retracted position in which the distal and proximal portions are constrained within the lead body; and
an extended position in which the proximal portion is retained within the lead body and the distal portion is deployed out the tip of the lead body such that the distal portion curls upon itself.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable lead for electrical stimulation of tissue has wire-like extendable members whose tips curl back upon themselves in open tissue spaces to form 2- or 3-dimensional electrodes. The electrodes may be positioned axially or in other directions from the lead body. Traction on the lead body or extendable members allows easy withdrawal as the member tip electrodes uncurl, allowing removal without major surgery. This apparatus and method is useful for minimally invasive insertion of electrodes or electrode arrays, especially through a narrow body lumen or Tuohy needle, providing therapeutic stimulation of nervous tissue, muscle or organs.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A kit comprising a needle and an implantable lead for stimulation of nerve tissue, muscle or organs, wherein the implantable lead is adapted to be passed through the needle;
- the lead comprising;
an elongate lead body having an axis and a tip; and
at least one extendable member having a distal portion adapted to curl upon itself when not-constrained to form an electrode and a proximal portion, the extendable member received at least in part within the lead body for axial movement between;
a retracted position in which the distal and proximal portions are constrained within the lead body; and
an extended position in which the proximal portion is retained within the lead body and the distal portion is deployed out the tip of the lead body such that the distal portion curls upon itself. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
- the lead comprising;
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28. A method of implanting an implantable lead for spinal cord or sacral nerve stimulation, the method comprising:
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percutaneously placing a needle for delivery of a lead to a desired location;
passing an implantable lead through the needle, the implantable lead having an elongate lead body having an axis and a tip; and
at least one extendable member having a distal portion adapted to curl upon itself when not-constrained and a proximal portion, the extendable member received at least in part within the lead body for axial movement between;
a retracted position in which the distal and proximal portions are constrained within the lead body and an extended position in which proximal portion is retained within the lead body and the distal portion is deployed out the tip of the lead body such that the distal portion curls upon itself; and
extending the distal portion of the extendable member out the tip of the lead body to advance the distal portion through the foramen and to allow the distal portion to curl upon itself to form an electrode on other side of the foramen from the lead body. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification