Non-invasively maneuverable lead system
First Claim
1. A method for non-invasively repositioning an electrode on a lead relative to nerve tissue in a body including the steps of:
- providing a lead having at least one stimulating electrode thereon which is located skew to an elongate axis of the lead;
implanting the lead in a body;
implanting in the body a drive mechanism having structure for engaging and rotating the lead; and
, providing an exterior signal generating and transmitting mechanism for transmitting electromagnetic signals from outside the body to the drive mechanism implanted in the body for causing the drive mechanism to rotate the lead thereby to adjust the position of the at least one stimulating electrode on the lead relative to tissue in the body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The method and system for non-invasively repositioning at least one stimulating electrode on a lead relative to tissue, such as nerve tissue, in a body includes elements for carrying out the method and the steps of: providing a lead having at least one stimulating electrode thereon which is located skew to an elongate axis of the lead; implanting the lead in a body; implanting in the body a drive mechanism having structure for engaging and rotating the lead; and, providing an exterior signal generating and transmitting mechanism for transmitting electromagnetic signals from outside the body to the drive mechanism implanted in the body for causing the drive mechanism to rotate the lead thereby to adjust the position of the at least one stimulating electrode on the lead relative to tissue in the body.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for non-invasively repositioning an electrode on a lead relative to nerve tissue in a body including the steps of:
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providing a lead having at least one stimulating electrode thereon which is located skew to an elongate axis of the lead;
implanting the lead in a body;
implanting in the body a drive mechanism having structure for engaging and rotating the lead; and
,providing an exterior signal generating and transmitting mechanism for transmitting electromagnetic signals from outside the body to the drive mechanism implanted in the body for causing the drive mechanism to rotate the lead thereby to adjust the position of the at least one stimulating electrode on the lead relative to tissue in the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
providing circuitry in the exterior signal generating and transmitting mechanism for sending a continuous signal or signal bursts to the signal receiving circuitry in the drive mechanism for causing continuous rotational movement or stepwise rotational movement of the lead.
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3. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one stimulating electrode is a spiral-shaped electrode.
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4. The method of claim 1 including the step of:
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implanting a pulse generator in the body;
electrically coupling the pulse generator to a proximal end of the drive mechanism; and
,electrically coupling at least one signal channel of the pulse generator to one coupling electrode on a proximal end portion of the lead, whereby a stimulating signal from the pulse generator can be transmitted through the drive mechanism to the at least one stimulating electrode on the lead.
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5. A system for non-invasively adjusting the position of at least one stimulating electrode on a lead implanted in a body relative to tissue in the body comprising:
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an implantable lead having at least one stimulating electrode thereon arranged skew to an elongate axis of the lead;
an implantable drive mechanism having means for mechanically coupling to the implanted lead;
means in said drive mechanism for causing rotation of said lead; and
,signal receiving circuitry in said drive mechanism for receiving electromagnetic signals for causing actuation of said drive mechanism for rotating said lead. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for non-invasively repositioning an electrode on a lead relative to nerve tissue in a body including the steps of:
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providing a lead having at least one stimulating electrode thereon;
implanting the lead in a body;
implanting in the body a drive mechanism having structure for repositioning the at least one stimulating electrode relative to tissue in the body; and
,providing an exterior signal generating and transmitting mechanism for transmitting electromagnetic signals from outside the body to the drive mechanism implanted in the body for causing the drive mechanism to reposition the at least one stimulating electrode relative to tissue in the body.
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24. A system for non-invasively adjusting the position of at least one stimulating electrode on a lead implanted in a body relative to tissue in the body comprising:
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an implantable lead having at least one stimulating electrode thereon;
an implantable drive mechanism having means for repositioning said at least one stimulating electrode relative to tissue in the body;
means in said drive mechanism for causing repositioning of said at least one stimulating electrode relative to tissue in the body; and
,signal receiving circuitry in said drive mechanism for receiving electromagnetic signals for causing actuation of said drive mechanism for repositioning said at least one stimulating electrode. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification