Abdominally implanted stimulator and method

• US 20060089699A1
• Filed: 10/12/2005
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IntraPace, Inc.
• Original Assignee: IntraPace, Inc.
• Inventors: Imran, Mir A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,643,887 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/133
• 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 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

An retaining device for attaching to a contractile organ such as a digestive tract organ or stomach is provided. One aspect may include a lead for stimulating a digestive organ. The device may be an electrical stimulation device configured to deliver electrical signals to the organ. The device may be implanted in the abdomen using a laparoscopic or other method.

Claims

1. A method for laparoscopically implanting a lead in a digestive organ comprising the steps of:

inserting a guidewire to an attachment site on the digestive organ;

providing a lead comprising;

an anchor; and

an electrode;

inserting the lead over the guidewire; and

attaching the lead to the organ with the anchor so that the electrode is in electrical contact with the tissue of the organ.

2. The method of claim 1

wherein the step of providing a lead comprises providing a lead with a guidewire lumen including a distal through hole;

and

wherein the step of inserting the lead over the guidewire comprises inserting the guidewire through the through hole and through the guidewire lumen of the lead.

3. The method of claim 1

wherein the step of providing a lead comprises:

providing an expandable member in a first more narrow configuration enclosed by a sheath;

wherein the step of inserting the lead over the guidewire comprises guiding the sheath with the guidewire to an anchor attachment site on the organ; and

releasing the expandable member from the sheath to expand to a second wider configuration.

4. The method of claim 1

wherein the step of providing a lead comprises providing a lead with an elongate portion;

and

wherein the step of attaching the lead to the organ comprises inserting the elongate portion over the guidewire through the wall of the organ into the organ.

5. A lead for laparoscopically attaching to a digestive organ comprising:

an anchor configured to attach the lead to the digestive organ;

an electrode configured to be in electrical contact with tissue of the digestive organ when the lead is deployed; and

a guidewire lumen and through hole through at least a portion of the lead and configured to receive a guidewire to guide the lead to an attachment site at the digestive organ.

6. The lead of claim 5 further comprising an elongate portion configured to extend through a wall of the digestive organ when deployed, wherein the guidewire lumen extends at least in part through the elongate portion.

7. The lead of claim 6 wherein the elongate portion comprises a tapered portion.

8. The lead of claim 7 wherein the anchor comprises a plate member that engages the outside of the digestive organ when deployed.

9. The lead of claim 7 wherein the plate member comprises an expandable member having a first, more narrow configuration and a second, expanded configuration.

10. A laparoscopically implantable organ stimulator comprising:

a lead comprising;

an anchor configured to be positioned on the outside of a contractile organ having a cavity;

an elongate member coupled to the anchor and configured to extend into the cavity of the hollow organ, wherein the elongate member comprises a tapered portion tapering from a distal location on the elongate member with respect to the anchor, to a proximal location on the elongate member with respect to the anchor;

an electrode located on the lead; and

a flexible lead wire electrically coupling the electrode to a signal source; and

a signal source configured to provide an electrical signal to electrode to stimulate the organ.

11. The laparoscopically implantable organ stimulator of claim 10 wherein the signal source comprises a subcutaneously implantable pulse generator.