IMPLANTABLE REEL FOR COILING AN IMPLANTABLE ELONGATED MEMBER

• US 20080058876A1
• Filed: 09/06/2006
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Giancarlo Barolat
• Original Assignee: Giancarlo Barolat
• Inventors: Barolat, Giancarlo
• Granted Patent: US 7,769,443 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0293 Catheter, guide wire or the like with means for holding, centering, anchoring or frictionally engaging the device within an artificial lumen, e.g. tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/054 with electrotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings

Abstract

An implantable spool is used for spooling the excess wiring associated with a lead that extends between at least one electrode and a pulse generator of an electrical stimulation implant system. The present invention also has application to providing a spool for coiling tubing of an implantable drug delivery system. Embodiments of the invention include a method of implanting an implantable system in a body, wherein the implantable system includes a source unit and an elongated member. A method of assembling an implantable system is also described.

Claims

1. An implantable system for implanting into a patient, the implantable system comprising:

an implantable source unit;

an implantable elongated member operatively associated with said implantable source unit; and

an implantable spool adapted for receiving at least a first winding of said elongated member.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the implantable source unit comprises at least one of a pulse generator and a drug reservoir.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the implantable source unit provides least one of a drug and an electrical stimulation to an internal tissue of the patient.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the implantable elongated member comprises at least one of an implantable lead and an implantable tubing.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one implantable electrode operatively associated with said implantable elongated member.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said implantable spool comprises a cap covering at least a portion of a winding channel located between a pair of flanges.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said implantable spool comprises an aperture adapted for receiving a suture.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said implantable spool comprises at least a first flange, and wherein said first flange comprises at least one groove for receiving at least a portion of said elongated member.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said groove is located on a tab attached to said first flange.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said tab comprises a pair of opposing fingers oriented transverse to an outer lateral surface of said first flange.

11. A body in which the system of claim 1 is implanted.

12. In subcombination, an implantable spool for use in an implantable system, the implantable system including an implantable source unit, the implantable source unit including at least one of (a) a pulse generator, and (b) a drug reservoir, the implantable system further including an implantable elongated member connected or interconnectable to the implantable source unit, wherein the implantable elongated member includes a distal end, the implantable spool for placement within a patient at a location spaced apart from at least one of (a) a location of the implantable source unit and (b) a location of the distal end of the implantable elongated member, the implantable spool comprising:

a pair of flanges operatively connected to an inner core, wherein the inner core is adapted for receiving at least a first winding of the implantable elongated member.

13. The subcombination as claimed in claim 12, wherein the implantable spool comprises a cap covering at least a portion of a winding channel located between said pair of flanges.

14. The subcombination as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least a first flange of said pair of flanges comprises at least one groove for receiving at least a portion of the implantable elongated member.

15. The subcombination as claimed in claim 14, wherein said groove is located on a tab attached to said first flange.

16. The subcombination as claimed in claim 15, wherein said tab comprises a pair of opposing fingers oriented transverse to an outer lateral surface of said first flange.

17. The subcombination as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one of said flanges comprises an aperture adapted for receiving a suture.

18. A body comprising the subcombination of claim 12.

19. An implantable system for implanting into a patient, the implantable system comprising:

an implantable source unit;

an implantable elongated member operatively associated with said implantable source unit; and

means for receiving at least a first winding of said elongated member, wherein said means for receiving is implantable and is adapted for implantation spaced apart from at least one of said implantable source unit and a distal end of said implantable elongated member.

20. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said means for receiving comprises a spool.

21. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said means for receiving comprises a means for covering at least a portion of a winding channel located between a pair of flanges.

22. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said means for receiving comprises a means for securing the means for receiving to a tissue of the patient.

23. The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein said means for securing comprises and aperture for receiving a suture.

24. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said means for receiving comprises a means for holding at least a portion of said implantable elongated member.

25. The system as claimed in claim 24, wherein said means for holding comprises a groove adapted for at least partially circumscribing at least a portion of a circumference of the implantable elongated member.

26. The system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said means for holding comprises a tab having two opposing fingers forming said groove.

27. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said implantable source unit comprises at least one of (a) a pulse generator, and (b) a drug reservoir.

28. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said implantable elongated member comprises at least one of (a) an electrical lead, and (b) a tubing.

29. A method of installing an implantable system in a body, comprising:

(a) causing at least first and second incisions to be made in the body;

(b) inserting;

(i) a source unit within the body at the first incision; and

(ii) an elongated member within the body at the second incision;

(c) winding at least a portion of the elongated member around a spool; and

(d) implanting the spool within the body at one of;

(i) said first incision;

(ii) said second incision; and

(iii) a third incision in the body.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said source unit comprises at least one of a pulse generator and a drug reservoir.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein said elongated member comprises at least one of an electrical lead and a tubing.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein said winding occurs before at least one of said inserting and said implanting.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein said implanting occurs before at least one of said inserting and said winding.

34. The method of claim 29, further comprising inserting at least a portion of said elongated member into a groove of the spool.

35. The method of claim 29, further comprising attaching the spool to a tissue of the body.

36. The method of claim 29, further comprising engaging a cover over at least a portion of the spool after said winding.