STYLET FOR GUIDING LEADS OF IMPLANTABLE ELECTRIC STIMULATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING
First Claim
1. A lead assembly comprising:
- a lead with a distal end, a proximal end, and an outer lead covering, the lead comprisinga plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end,a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end,at least one lumen defined in the lead, the at least one lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, anda plurality of conductive wires electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals; and
a stylet configured and arranged for insertion into a one of the at least one lumens of the lead, the stylet comprisingan elongated body with a distal portion and a proximal portion, anda protective feature coupled to the elongated body, the protective feature configured and arranged for absorbing or redirecting an amount of force applied to the stylet above a threshold amount of force.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lead assembly includes a lead and a stylet. The lead has a distal end, a proximal end, and an outer lead covering. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end, and at least one lumen defined in the lead that extends from the distal end to the proximal end. The lead also includes a plurality of conductive wires electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals. The stylet is configured and arranged for inserting into one of the at least one lumens of the lead. The stylet includes an elongated body and a protective feature that is coupled to the elongated body. The protective feature is configured and arranged for absorbing or redirecting an amount of force applied to the stylet above a threshold amount of force.
65 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A lead assembly comprising:
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a lead with a distal end, a proximal end, and an outer lead covering, the lead comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end, at least one lumen defined in the lead, the at least one lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, and a plurality of conductive wires electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals; and a stylet configured and arranged for insertion into a one of the at least one lumens of the lead, the stylet comprising an elongated body with a distal portion and a proximal portion, and a protective feature coupled to the elongated body, the protective feature configured and arranged for absorbing or redirecting an amount of force applied to the stylet above a threshold amount of force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A stylet comprising
an elongated body with a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a proximal tip; - and
a cap having a proximal end and a distal end, the cap comprising an inner housing defining a central lumen, the central lumen configured and arranged to receive the proximal portion of the elongated body, the inner housing comprising an interference flange and at least one clamping member, the at least one clamping member configured and arranged for providing resistive force against the elongated body, an outer housing comprising an outer flange configured and arranged to press against at least one of the clamping members, and a compressed spring positioned between the interference flange and the outer flange, an initial compression value of the compressed spring at least partially determining the amount of force with which the outer flange presses against at least one of the clamping members. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for stimulating patient tissue, the method comprising:
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disposing a distal portion of a stylet into one or more lumens defined in a lead; inserting the lead and stylet into a patient, the lead comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed on a distal end electrically coupled to a plurality of terminals disposed on a proximal end by a plurality of conductive wires electrically coupling at least one terminal to at least one electrode; guiding the lead and stylet to a desired location in the patient using a cap disposed on a proximal portion of the stylet, the stylet comprising a protective feature to absorb or redirect an amount of force applied to the cap above a preselected force threshold while guiding the lead and stylet; removing the stylet from the lead; disposing the proximal end of the lead into a connector, the connector defining a port for receiving the proximal end of the lead, the port comprising a plurality of connective contacts that electrically couple to at least one of the plurality of terminals, the connector electrically coupled to a control module; providing electrical signals from the control module to electrically stimulate patient tissue using at least one of the electrodes on the lead. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification