Percutaneous lead introducing system and method
First Claim
1. A method of introducing a flexible member in the epidural space in the spinal column of a patient, comprising the steps of:
- percutaneously inserting a longitudinally extending flexible introducer having an epidural needle assembly extending through a cannula in the introducer between vertebrae in the patient'"'"'s spine so that the leading tip of the epidural needle assembly and the introducer are adjacent said epidural space;
withdrawing said epidural needle assembly from the cannula of said introducer;
inserting said flexible member through the cannula of said introducer until the flexible member is positioned in said epidural space;
withdrawing said introducer from the patient while leaving said flexible member in said epidural space; and
splitting said flexible member along the longitudinal axis thereof following withdrawal of said introducer from the patient and removing said split introducer from around said flexible member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for introducing a neural stimulator lead into the epidural space in the spinal cord of a patient includes an introducer into which an epidural needle assembly may be inserted through a cannula in the introducer. The introducer along with the epidural needle assembly, such as a Tuohy needle, are inserted between the vertebrae in the patient'"'"'s spine so that the leading tip of the epidural needle assembly and the introducer are adjacent the epidural space. The epidural needle assembly includes a needle which also has a cannula and an obturator which is inserted in the cannula when the introducer and epidural needle assembly are being inserted between the vertebrae. The obturator is thereafter removed from the cannula of the needle, the needle cannula is filled with a saline solution, and the introducer is further advanced into the epidural space as the needle is withdrawn from the cannula of the introducer. The neural stimulator lead is then inserted through the cannula of the introducer, until it is positioned in the epidural space. Once the electrode of the lead is positioned at its desired location, the introducer is withdrawn along the lead and the introducer is split away from the electrode by a pair of handles and a weakened score line extending longitudinally of the cannula of the introducer.
347 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of introducing a flexible member in the epidural space in the spinal column of a patient, comprising the steps of:
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percutaneously inserting a longitudinally extending flexible introducer having an epidural needle assembly extending through a cannula in the introducer between vertebrae in the patient'"'"'s spine so that the leading tip of the epidural needle assembly and the introducer are adjacent said epidural space; withdrawing said epidural needle assembly from the cannula of said introducer; inserting said flexible member through the cannula of said introducer until the flexible member is positioned in said epidural space; withdrawing said introducer from the patient while leaving said flexible member in said epidural space; and splitting said flexible member along the longitudinal axis thereof following withdrawal of said introducer from the patient and removing said split introducer from around said flexible member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for the introduction of a flexible member into the epidural space in the spinal column of a patient, comprising:
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a longitudinally extending introducer comprising a flexible elongate cannula, said introducer being splittable along the longitudinal axis thereof; and an epidural needle assembly removably inserted in and through said cannula, the tip of said epidural needle assembly extending beyond an end of said elongate cannula, whereby said introducer and epidural needle assembly may be percutaneously inserted together between vertebrae in the patient'"'"'s spine so that the tip of the epidural needle assembly and the end of said elongate cannula are adjacent the epidural space of the patient when the epidural needle assembly is fully inserted into the cannula of said introducer. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification