IMPLANTABLE ELECTRODE, INSERTION TOOL FOR USE THEREWITH, AND INSERTION METHOD
First Claim
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1. An implantable electrode comprising:
- an electrode contact at a distal end of the implantable electrode, wherein a distal end of the electrode contact has a conical shape with an arrow-like or needle-like distal point;
a connector plug at a proximal end;
an insulated conductor that electrically connects the connector plug to the at least one electrode contact;
an anchoring tube proximate to the electrode contact with at least one row of flexible barbs protruding therefrom, the anchoring tube, excluding the barbs, having an outer diameter less than an outer diameter of a widest portion of the electrode contact; and
a body portion extending at least from the anchoring tube to the connector plug, wherein the body portion proximal to the anchoring tube has an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of the anchoring tube.
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Abstract
An electrode system includes an implantable electrode having at least one electrode contact, an insertion tool, and a technique or method that allows the electrode contact to be positioned within soft tissue at a selected target stimulation site.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An implantable electrode comprising:
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an electrode contact at a distal end of the implantable electrode, wherein a distal end of the electrode contact has a conical shape with an arrow-like or needle-like distal point; a connector plug at a proximal end; an insulated conductor that electrically connects the connector plug to the at least one electrode contact; an anchoring tube proximate to the electrode contact with at least one row of flexible barbs protruding therefrom, the anchoring tube, excluding the barbs, having an outer diameter less than an outer diameter of a widest portion of the electrode contact; and a body portion extending at least from the anchoring tube to the connector plug, wherein the body portion proximal to the anchoring tube has an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of the anchoring tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for implanting an implantable electrode, the implantable electrode having at least one electrode contact at a distal end, a connector plug at a proximal end, and a conductor that electrically connects the electrode contact and the connector plug, wherein the method comprises:
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(a) placing the implantable electrode under tension within an insertion tube, with the electrode contact at one end of the insertion tube, and with the connector plug at the other end of the insertion tube, and wherein the insertion tube has a longitudinal slot along its length through which the conductor may pass, but through which the electrode contact and connector plug may not pass; (b) directing the electrode contact, while held in the insertion tube under tension, through soft tissue to a desired tissue target location; (c) removing the tension from the implantable electrode held in the tension tube; and (d) removing the insertion tube from the implantable electrode by passing the conductor through the longitudinal slot, while leaving the electrode contact at the desired target location. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification