REMOVABLE INTRAMUSCULAR ELECTRODE

• US 20080188867A1
• Filed: 02/05/2008
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synapse Biomedical Inc.
• Original Assignee: Synapse Biomedical Inc.
• Inventors: Ignagni, Anthony R., Onders, Raymond P., Gelbke, James E., Crish, Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 9,079,016 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/129
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0502 Skin piercing electrodes

Abstract

An implantable medical electrode system for intramuscular use that is readily removable is provided, as well as methods for its use. The system includes an electrode, an electrical lead mechanically and electrically connected to the electrode and extending proximally, and a tether bonded to the electrode and extending proximally. A conductor with an insulated portion enwraps the electrical lead; an uninsulated portion enwraps the electrode. Some embodiments may include a tissue-piercing guide such as a needle. In some embodiments, the electrode includes a barb, although in some of these embodiments the tether does not extend through the barb. The method of using the system includes inserting the through a target tissue, pulling the electrode with the needle into the target tissue, and extending the electrical lead and tether proximally to an electrical connection. Methods are further provided for removing the electrode which take advantage of structural features of the system.

Claims

1. A medical electrode system comprising:

an electrode;

an electrical lead mechanically and electrically connected to the electrode and extending proximally from the electrode; and

an electrode tether bonded to the electrode and extending proximally from the electrode.

2. The medical electrode system of claim 1 further comprising a tissue-piercing guide attached to a distal end of the electrode.

3. The medical electrode system of claim 2 wherein the tissue-piercing guide comprises a needle having a flared proximal end and a sharp distal end.

4. The medical electrode system of claim 1 wherein the electrical lead surrounds at least a portion of the tether.

5. The medical electrode system of claim 1 wherein the electrical lead comprises an insulated conductor, the electrode comprising an uninsulated portion of the conductor.

6. The medical electrode system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical connector attached to a proximal end of the electrical lead.

7. The medical electrode system of claim 6 wherein the electrical connector is mechanically attached to the tether.

8. The medical electrode system of claim 1 wherein the electrode further comprises a flexible barb.

9. The medical electrode system of claim 8 wherein the tether comprises a core extending through the electrical lead and the electrode but not through the barb.

10. The medical electrode system of claim 1 wherein the tether comprises a core extending through the electrical lead and the electrode.

11. The medical electrode system of claim 10 further comprising a tissue-piercing guide attached to the core distal to the distal end of the electrode.

12. The medical electrode system of claim 10 wherein the core includes a distally terminal knob distal to the electrode, the knob configured to engage a delivery instrument to facilitate ejection of the electrode from the instrument.

13. A method of using an electrode in target tissue in a patient, the method comprising:

inserting a tissue-piercing guide into and through the target tissue;

pulling an electrode connected to a proximal end of the tissue-piercing guide into the target tissue, the electrode being connected to the tissue-piercing guide by a tether extending distally from the electrode; and

extending an electrical lead and the tether proximally from the electrode to an electrical connection location.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the electrode comprises a barb, the method further comprising pulling the barb into the target tissue.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising cutting the tether between the electrode and the tissue-piercing guide after the pulling step and removing the tissue-piercing guide from the patient.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising removing the electrode from the target tissue, the removing step comprising pulling proximally on the electrical lead and pulling proximally on the tether.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the electrical lead and tether terminate in an electrical connector, the removing step further comprising removing the electrical connector from the electrical lead and tether.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the electrical lead surrounds at least a portion of the tether, the removing step further comprising separating the electrical lead and the tether prior to the pulling steps.

19. A method of using an electrode in target tissue in a patient, the method comprising:

inserting an electrode into the target tissue, the electrode being bonded to a tether and electrically connected to an electrical lead; and

extending an electrical lead and the tether proximally from the electrode to an electrical connection location.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising removing the electrode from the target tissue, the removing step comprising pulling proximally on the electrical lead and pulling proximally on the tether.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the electrical lead and tether terminate in an electrical connector, the removing step further comprising removing the electrical connector from the electrical lead and tether.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the electrical lead surrounds at least a portion of the tether, the removing step further comprising separating the electrical lead and the tether prior to the pulling steps.