TUBULAR LEAD ANCHOR AND METHODS AND DEVICES USING THE ANCHOR

• US 20110022142A1
• Filed: 07/21/2009
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Incorporated
• Inventors: Jaax, Kristen N., Barker, John Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,295,948 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0539 Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0582 Suture sleeves

Abstract

A lead anchor includes a plurality of parallel tubular members and at least one suture element configured and arranged for receiving a suture to suture the lead anchor to patient tissue. Each tubular member defines a lead lumen having a first opening and a second opening through which a lead can pass.

Claims

1. A lead anchor, comprising:

a plurality of parallel tubular members, each tubular member defining a lead lumen having a first opening and a second opening through which a lead can pass; and

at least one suture element configured and arranged for receiving a suture to suture the lead anchor to patient tissue.

2. The lead anchor of claim 1, further comprising a flange coupled to the plurality of tubular members, the flange being formed of a biocompatible material.

3. The lead anchor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parallel tubular members define a recess configured and arranged for receiving a suture.

4. The lead anchor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parallel tubular members comprises at least three parallel tubular members.

5. The lead anchor of claim 1, wherein the at least one suture element comprises at least one suture opening.

6. The lead anchor of claim 2, wherein the flange and the plurality of parallel tubular members are unitary.

7. The lead anchor of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of parallel tubular members or the flange is radiopaque.

8. An implantable stimulation device, comprising:

a lead having an electrode array; and

the lead anchor of claim 1, coupleable to the lead.

9. The implantable stimulation device of claim 8, further comprising:

a control module coupleable to the lead.

10. The implantable stimulation device of claim 8, wherein the implantable stimulation device is a spinal cord stimulator.

11. The implantable stimulation device of claim 8, wherein the first opening of each tubular member opens toward a first side of the lead anchor and the second opening of each tubular member opens toward a second side of the lead anchor.

12. The implantable stimulation device of claim 11, wherein the lead is disposed through the first opening of the first tubular member, the lead lumen of the first tubular member, and the second opening of the first tubular member, then disposed through the second opening of the second tubular member, the lead lumen of the second tubular member, and the first opening of the second tubular member.

13. The implantable stimulation device of claim 11, wherein the lead is disposed through the first opening of the first tubular member, the lead lumen of the first tubular member, and the second opening of the first tubular member, then disposed through the first opening of the second tubular member, the lead lumen of the second tubular member, and the second opening of the second tubular member.

14. The implantable stimulation device of claim 11, wherein the lead is disposed through the first opening of the first tubular member, the lead lumen of the first tubular member, and the second opening of the first tubular member, then disposed through the first opening of the second tubular member, the lead lumen of the second tubular member, and the second opening of the second tubular member, then finally disposed through the first opening of the third tubular member, the lead lumen of the third tubular member and the second opening of the third tubular member.

15. The implantable stimulation device of claim 11, wherein the lead is disposed through the first opening of the first tubular member, the lead lumen of the first tubular member, and the second opening of the first tubular member, then disposed through the second opening of the second tubular member, the lead lumen of the second tubular member, and the first opening of the second tubular member, then finally disposed through the first opening of the third tubular member, the lead lumen of the third tubular member and the second opening of the third tubular member.

16. A method of implanting an implantable stimulation device, the method comprising:

implanting a portion of a lead having an electrode array near tissue to be stimulated;

securing a distal end of the lead through a lead anchor, the lead anchor comprising a plurality of parallel tubular members, each tubular member defining a lead lumen having a first opening and a second opening through which a lead can pass, and at least one suture element configured and arranged for receiving a suture;

securing the lead anchor to the surrounding tissue using sutures.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising implanting a control module and coupling the electrode array to the control module using a lead.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of securing a distal end of a lead through a lead anchor comprises passing the lead through and looping it around the plurality of parallel tubular members.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of securing a distal end of a lead through a lead anchor comprises passing the lead through at least two adjacent tubular members, forming at least one hairpin turn between the at least two tubular members.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of securing the lead anchor to the surrounding tissue comprises tying a suture to a suture ridge on the exterior member.