STEERABLE STYLET HANDLE ASSEMBLY

• US 20090187222A1
• Filed: 01/20/2009
• Published: 07/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Barker, John Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,192,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06109 Big needles, either gripped by hand or connectable to a handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00331 with preformed bends
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37264 Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An exemplary steerable stylet handle assembly includes a housing having first and second side walls defining a channel therebetween, a button in communication with the first and second side walls and configured to move distally and proximally within the channel, and a stylet subassembly having an inner stylet wire located at least partially within an outer tubing. The inner stylet wire has a pre-curved portion and is coupled to a proximal portion of the housing. The outer tubing is coupled to the button. Movement of the button within the channel is configured to selectively expose and cover at least a portion of the pre-curved distal portion of the inner stylet wire with the outer tubing.

Claims

1. A steerable stylet handle assembly, comprising:

a housing having first and second side walls defining a channel therebetween;

a button in communication with said first and second side walls and configured to move distally and proximally within said channel;

a stylet subassembly comprising an inner stylet wire located at least partially within an outer tubing, said inner stylet wire having a pre-curved distal portion;

wherein a proximal portion of said inner stylet wire is coupled to a proximal portion of said housing and a proximal portion of said outer tubing is coupled to said button; and

wherein movement of said button within said channel is configured to selectively expose and cover at least a portion of said pre-curved distal portion of said inner stylet wire with said outer tubing.

2. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said button comprises a lumen through which said inner stylet wire and outer tubing at least partially pass.

3. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said pre-curved distal portion of said inner stylet wire is exposed when said button is moved proximally within said channel.

4. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said pre-curved distal portion of said inner stylet wire is covered when said button is moved distally within said channel.

5. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said button comprises one or more ratchets configured to mate with one or more mating ribs that are a part of one or more of said side walls of said housing.

6. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said button is configured to move within said channel in response to pressure applied by a thumb of a handler of said handle assembly.

7. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a throat portion disposed at a proximal end thereof, said throat portion comprising a lumen passing therethrough in communication with said channel.

8. The handle assembly of claim 7, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to secure a stimulating member to said throat portion.

9. The handle assembly of claim 8, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a split tapered chuck and a nut.

10. The handle assembly of claim 8, wherein said stimulating member comprises a lead or a catheter.

11. A system for facilitating stimulation of a stimulation site within a patient, said system comprising:

a lead having at least one electrode disposed thereon; and

a steerable stylet handle assembly configured to implant said at least one electrode at said stimulation site comprising

a housing having first and second side walls defining a channel therebetween;

a button in communication with said first and second side walls and configured to move distally and proximally within said channel;

a stylet subassembly configured to be inserted within said lead and comprising an inner stylet wire located at least partially within an outer tubing, said inner stylet wire having a pre-curved distal portion;

wherein a proximal portion of said inner stylet wire is coupled to a proximal portion of said housing and a proximal portion of said outer tubing is coupled to said button; and

wherein movement of said button within said channel is configured to position said at least one electrode at said stimulation site by selectively exposing and covering at least a portion of said pre-curved distal portion of said inner stylet wire with said outer tubing.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said button comprises a lumen through which said inner stylet wire and outer tubing at least partially pass.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of said pre-curved distal portion of said inner stylet wire is exposed when said button is moved proximally within said channel.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of said pre-curved distal portion of said inner stylet wire is covered when said button is moved distally within said channel.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein said button comprises one or more ratchets configured to mate with one or more mating ribs that are a part of one or more of said side walls of said housing.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein said button is configured to move within said channel in response to pressure applied by a thumb of a handler of said handle assembly.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein said housing comprises a throat portion disposed at a proximal end thereof, said throat portion comprising a lumen passing therethrough in communication with said channel.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to secure said lead to said throat portion.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a split tapered chuck and a nut.

20. A method, comprising:

providing a housing having first and second side walls defining a channel therebetween;

providing a button in communication with said first and second side walls and configured to move distally and proximally within said channel;

providing a stylet subassembly comprising an inner stylet wire located at least partially within an outer tubing, said inner stylet wire having a pre-curved distal portion;

coupling a proximal portion of said inner stylet wire to a proximal portion of said housing;

coupling a proximal portion of said outer tubing to said button; and

moving said button within said channel to selectively expose and cover at least a portion of said pre-curved distal portion of said inner stylet wire with said outer tubing.