APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ANCHORING AN IMPLANTED LEAD

• US 20070239242A1
• Filed: 04/05/2007
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daniel A. Graubert
• Original Assignee: Daniel A. Graubert
• Inventors: GRAUBERT, Daniel A.
• Application Number:
  US11/697,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20070239242A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor

Abstract

An anchor for a spinal cord stimulator lead or an intrathecal catheter lead includes a gripper for securely gripping the lead and a suture ring for suturing the anchor to the adjacent tissue.

Claims

1. An anchor for anchoring an implanted lead, comprising:

a head portion having a base and a receiver;

a flexible tongue having a first end extending from the base of the head portion and a free end extending therefrom, and configured for engagement within the receiver; and

a compressible gripper for engagement of the implanted lead between the tongue and the head portion.

2. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the receiver and the tongue form a ratchet to prevent retraction of tongue from receiver.

3. The anchor of claim 2, wherein the ratchet comprises a pawl within the receiver and a plurality of barbs on the tongue.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a suture ring affixed to an outer surface of the head portion proximate the gripper.

5. A method of anchoring an implanted lead, comprising:

implanting an anchor having a gripper for gripping the implanted lead and a suture ring for securing the anchor to adjacent tissue;

tightening the anchor against the implanted lead such that the gripper securely grips the lead;

trimming excess tongue of the anchor; and

suturing the suture ring to adjacent tissue.

6. An apparatus for implanting an anchor for an implanted lead, comprising:

means for tightening the anchor to a tension within a specified range; and

means for trimming an excess tongue/tail portion of the anchor.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus is disposable.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is reusable.