NEUROSTIMULATION UTILIZING A TREE CONFIGURATION

• US 20100004721A1
• Filed: 06/11/2009
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Anthony Bryce, Maher Fattouh
• Original Assignee: David Anthony Bryce, Maher Fattouh
• Inventors: Fattouh, Maher, Bryce, David Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 8,135,477 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/117
• 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: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3758 Packaging of the components within the casing
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply

Abstract

A neurostimulator conduit introducer is provided. The neurostimulator conduit introducer includes a central lead having a proximal end and a distal end; one or more secondary leads each having a proximal end and a distal end; and a biocompatible conduit enclosing the central lead and the one or more secondary leads, wherein the biocompatible conduit is moveable along the central lead and the one or more secondary leads. Methods of using the neurostimulator conduit introducer and kits including the neurostimulator conduit introducer are also provided.

Claims

1. A neurostimulator conduit introducer comprising:

a central lead having a proximal end and a distal end;

one or more secondary leads each having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a biocompatible conduit enclosing the central lead and the one or more secondary leads, wherein the biocompatible conduit is moveable along the central lead and the one or more secondary leads.

2. The neurostimulator conduit introducer of claim 1, wherein the neurostimulator is a spinal cord stimulator, a pelvic nerve stimulator, a deep brain stimulator, a gastrointestinal stimulator, a peripheral nerve stimulator, a vascular stimulator, or a muscle stimulator.

3. The neurostimulator conduit introducer of claim 2, wherein the neurostimulator is a spinal cord stimulator.

4. The neurostimulator conduit introducer of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more secondary leads has a different length.

5. The neurostimulator conduit introducer of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more secondary leads is independently wrapped around the central lead.

6. The neurostimulator conduit introducer of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more secondary leads comprise an electrode.

7. The neurostimulator conduit introducer of claim 6, wherein the electrode is located on distal end of each of the one or more secondary leads.

8. The neurostimulator conduit introducer of claim 7, wherein the electrode comprises a concave surface that is complementary to a surface of the central lead.

9. The neurostimulator conduit introducer of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible conduit is movable toward the proximal ends of the central lead and the one or more secondary leads to expose a part of the central lead and a part of the one or more secondary leads.

10. The neurostimulator conduit introducer of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible conduit is movable toward the distal ends of the central lead and the one or more secondary leads to cover a part of the central lead and a part of the one or more secondary leads.

12. The neurostimulator conduit introducer of claim 1, further comprising a battery coupled to the electrodes.

13. The neurostimulator conduit introducer of claim 12, wherein the battery is rechargeable.

14. The neurostimulator conduit introducer of claim 12, wherein the battery comprises a capacitor, a microchip, or a combination thereof.

11. The neurostimulator conduit introducer of claim I, wherein the proximal end of the central lead is coiled inside the biocompatible conduit, the proximal end of each one or more secondary leads is coiled inside the biocompatible conduit, or both the proximal end of the central lead and the proximal end of each one or more secondary leads are each independently coiled inside the biocompatible conduit.

15. A method of implanting a neurostimulator conduit introducer in the epidural space of a mammal comprising:

inserting a neurostimulator conduit introducer comprising;

a central lead having a proximal end and a distal end;

one or more secondary leads each having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a biocompatible conduit enclosing the central lead and the one or more secondary leads, wherein the biocompatible conduit is moveable along the central lead and the one or more secondary leads; and

guiding the neurostimulator conduit introducer into a desired position.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the neurostimulator is a spinal cord stimulator, a pelvic nerve stimulator, a deep brain stimulator, a gastrointestinal stimulator, a peripheral nerve stimulator, a vascular stimulator, or a muscle stimulator.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the neurostimulator is a spinal cord stimulator.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising moving the biocompatible conduit toward the proximal ends of the central lead and the one or more secondary leads to expose a part of the central lead and a part of the one or more secondary leads.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising moving the biocompatible conduit toward the terminal ends of the central lead and the one or more secondary leads to cover a part of the central lead and a part of the one or more secondary leads.

20. A kit comprising:

a needle;

a sterile drape;

a neurostimulator conduit introducer comprising;

a central lead having a proximal end and a distal end;

one or more secondary leads each having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a biocompatible conduit enclosing the central lead and the one or more secondary leads, wherein the biocompatible conduit is moveable along the central lead and the one or more secondary leads; and

suturing supplies.