Percutaneous flat lead introducer
First Claim
1. A stimulation lead introducer comprising:
- an elongated dilator defining a dilator lumen sized to advance over a guidewire, the dilator having a substantially conical distal tip, wherein at least a portion of the conical distal tip has a substantially oblong cross-section; and
an elongated sheath defining a sheath lumen sized to accommodate the dilator or the stimulation lead.
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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.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A stimulation lead introducer comprising:
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an elongated dilator defining a dilator lumen sized to advance over a guidewire, the dilator having a substantially conical distal tip, wherein at least a portion of the conical distal tip has a substantially oblong cross-section; and
an elongated sheath defining a sheath lumen sized to accommodate the dilator or the stimulation lead. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for introducing a stimulation lead comprising:
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inserting a stimulation lead introducer into an epidural region proximate a spine of a patient via a guidewire, wherein the introducer includes;
an elongated dilator defining a dilator lumen sized to advance over the guidewire, the dilator having a substantially conical distal tip, wherein at least a portion of the conical distal tip has a substantially oblong cross-section, and an elongated sheath defining a sheath lumen sized to accommodate the dilator or the stimulation lead;
withdrawing the dilator from the sheath; and
introducing a stimulation lead to a target site within the epidural region via the sheath. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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- 38. A dilator for widening a path for a stimulation lead to travel through an epidural region proximate a spine of a patient, the dilator having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the dilator defines a dilator lumen sized to advance over a guidewire, the dilator having a substantially conical distal tip, wherein at least a portion of the conical distal tip has a substantially oblong cross-section.
Specification