Implantable electrode, insertion tool for use therewith, and insertion method

• US 20050251237A1
• Filed: 05/09/2005
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics Corporation (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Thenuwara, Chuladdatta, He, Tom Xiaohai, Smith, Lani A., Kuzma, Janusz A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,460,913 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor

Abstract

An electrode system includes an implantable electrode having at least one electrode contact, an insertion tool, and a technique or method that allows the electrode contact to be positioned within soft tissue at a selected target stimulation site.

Claims

1. An electrode system comprising:

an implantable electrode having at least one electrode contact at a distal end, a connector plug at a proximal end, and a conductor to electrically connect the electrode contact to the connector plug, wherein the electrode contact at the distal end comprises an anchoring tube; and

an insertion tool comprising

an insertion tube with a longitudinal slot, and

a handle for holding the insertion tube and applying a tension force to the implantable electrode when the implantable electrode is placed in the insertion tube.

2. The electrode system of claim 1 further comprising at least one longitudinal row of flexible barbs protruding from the anchoring tube.

3. The electrode system of claim 2 further comprising at least two longitudinal rows of flexible barbs protruding from the anchoring tube, located on opposite sides of the anchoring tube.

4. The electrode system of claim 1, further comprising at least one row of flexible barbs disposed in a concentric circle around, and protruding from, the anchoring tube.

5. The electrode system of claim 4, wherein the anchoring tube comprises a collar from which the at least one row of flexible barbs protrudes and over which the insertion tube can not extend.

6. The electrode system of claim 1 wherein the anchoring tube is made from silicone and is molded over the insulated multi-filar conductor.

7. The electrode system of claim 1 wherein the insertion tube further comprises a longitudinal slot.

8. The electrode system of claim 1, wherein the conductor comprises a multi-filar conductor.

9. The electrode system of claim 8, wherein the multi-filar conductor comprises a plurality of thin fibers, each fiber having a diameter of about between 10 to 25 μ

m.

10. The electrode system of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a hook that cooperates with the connector plug to apply a tension force to the implantable electrode when the implantable electrode is placed in the insertion tube.

11. An implantable electrode comprising:

at least one electrode contact at a distal end;

a connector plug at a proximal end;

an insulated conductor that electrically connects the connector plug to the at least one electrode contact; and

wherein the electrode contact at the distal end includes an anchoring tube having at least one row of flexible barbs protruding therefrom.

12. The implantable electrode of claim 11, wherein the at least one row of flexible barbs extends longitudinally along the anchoring tube.

13. The implantable electrode of claim 12, wherein the at least one row of flexible barbs comprises two rows of flexible bars extending longitudinally along the anchoring tube.

14. The implantable electrode of claim 11, wherein the at least one row of flexible barbs is disposed in a concentric circle around, and protrudes from, the anchoring tube.

15. The implantable electrode of claim 14, wherein the anchoring tube comprises a collar proximate to the at least one electrode contact and having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of another portion of the anchoring tube, wherein at least a portion of the barbs are disposed on the collar.

16. The implantable electrode of claim 11, wherein the conductor comprises a plurality of thin fibers, each fiber having a diameter of between about 10 to 25 μ

m.

17. A method for implanting an implantable electrode, the implantable electrode having at least one electrode contact at a distal end, a connector plug at a proximal end, and a conductor that electrically connects the electrode contact and the connector plug, wherein the method comprises:

(a) placing the implantable electrode under tension within an insertion tube, with the electrode contact at one end of the insertion tube, and with the connector plug at the other end of the insertion tube, and wherein the insertion tube has a longitudinal slot along its length through which the conductor may pass, but through which the electrode contact and connector plug may not pass;

(b) directing the electrode contact, while held in the insertion tube under tension, through soft tissue to a desired tissue target location;

(c) removing the tension from the implantable electrode held in the tension tube; and

(d) removing the insertion tube from the implantable electrode by passing the conductor through the longitudinal slot, while leaving the electrode contact at the desired target location.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising tunneling the conductor through soft tissue using a tunneling tool.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising coupling the connector plug to a neurostimulator.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein placing the implantable electrode under tension comprises placing the implantable electrode within the insertion tube which is coupled to a handle, the handle comprising a hook into which the connector plug is placed to apply tension to the implantable electrode.