Implantable electrodes and insertion methods and tools

• US 20070078503A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics Corporation (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Thenuwara, Chuladatta, Whitehurst, Todd, Kuzma, Janusz, Smith, Lani
• Granted Patent: US 7,805,202 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/115
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy

Abstract

An insertion kit for implanting an electrode in a patient can include a handle; an insertion member coupled to the handle at a proximal end of the insertion member and configured and arranged to be inserted into a patient; an alignment member coupled to the handle and disposed over the distal end of the insertion member; and an electrode configured and arranged to be inserted into the patient using the insertion member. In some instances, the insertion kit may also include one or more of a marker that cooperates with the alignment member to mark a position of the electrode on the skin of the patient; a pointer that cooperates with the alignment member to find the marked position on the skin of the patient; and a second electrode and a second insertion member configured and arranged for detachably coupling to the handle in place of the insertion member.

Claims

1. An insertion kit for implanting an electrode in a patient, comprising:

a handle;

an insertion member coupled to the handle at a proximal end of the insertion member and configured and arranged to be inserted into a patient;

an alignment member coupled to the handle and disposed over the distal end of the insertion member; and

an electrode configured and arranged to be inserted into the patient using the insertion member.

2. The insertion kit of claim 1, wherein the insertion member comprises an electrode holder disposed at a distal end of the insertion member and the electrode is disposed in the electrode holder of the insertion member.

3. The insertion kit of claim 1, wherein the insertion kit further comprises a marker that cooperates with the alignment member to mark a position of the electrode on the skin of the patient.

4. The insertion kit of claim 3, wherein the insertion kit further comprises a pointer that cooperates with the alignment member to find the marked position on the skin of the patient.

5. The insertion kit of claim 2, wherein the electrode is detachably disposed in the electrode holder.

6. The insertion kit of claim 1, wherein the insertion member is detachably coupled to the handle.

7. The insertion kit of claim 1, further comprising a second electrode and a second insertion member configured and arranged for detachably coupling to the handle in place of the insertion member.

8. The insertion kit of claim 2, wherein the electrode holder comprises two opposing rails configured and arranged to hold the electrode between the opposing rails.

9. The insertion kit of claim 2, wherein the electrode comprises a plurality of protrusions disposed on at least one surface of the electrode and configured and arranged to assist in detaching the electrode from the electrode holder to implant the electrode in a body of a patient.

10. A method of stimulating tissue in a patient, the method comprising:

providing an insertion tool;

making an incision in the body of the patient;

inserting a portion of the insertion tool through the incision;

inserting an electrode into the body using the insertion tool;

determining a placement position for the electrode proximate to the tissue to be stimulated;

detaching the electrode from the insertion tool at the placement position; and

withdrawing the insertion tool from the body of the patient leaving the electrode in the placement position.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising

coupling the electrode to a microstimulator unit and

operating the microstimulator unit to stimulate the tissue.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising implanting the microstimulator unit through the incision.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein determining a placement position comprises

inserting a mapping electrode into the body using an initial insertion tool through the incision prior to inserting the electrode and insertion tool through the incision;

using the mapping electrode to determine the placement position; and

withdrawing the mapping electrode from the body of the patient.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising marking a position on the skin of the patient when the placement position is determined using an alignment member and marker of the initial insertion tool.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising aligning the insertion tool with the mark on the skin of the patient using a pointer of the insertion tool.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising

removing an insertion member comprising the electrode holder from the initial insertion tool and attaching a second insertion member to the initial insertion tool to form the insertion tool.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein detaching the electrode comprises applying pressure to a surface of the electrode and withdrawing the insertion tool from the electrode.

18. A stimulating electrode, comprising:

an electrode body having a front surface and a back surface opposing the front surface, the electrode body being conductive;

a raised rim disposed around an edge of the electrode body; and

a plurality of protrusions extending from the back surface for engagement with surrounding tissue to assist in retaining the stimulating electrode at a placement position in a body of a patient.

19. The electrode of claim 18, wherein the raised rim comprises a non-conducting material.

20. The electrode of claim 18, wherein the protrusions comprise a non-conducting material.

21. An insertion kit for implanting an electrode in a patient, comprising:

a first inserter;

a first electrode disposed in the first inserter;

a second electrode;

a second inserter;

a handle; and

an insertion member coupled to the handle at a proximal end of the insertion member and configured and arranged to be inserted into a patient, the insertion member defining a hollow tube through which the first electrode can be inserted into the patient using the first inserter and a second electrode can be inserted into the patient using the second inserter.

22. The insertion kit of claim 21, wherein the second electrode is detachably coupled to the second inserter.

23. The insertion kit of claim 21, further comprising an alignment member coupled to the handle and disposed over the distal end of the insertion member.

24. The insertion kit of claim 21, further comprising a fastening device to fasten the handle to at least one of the first inserter and the second inserter.