Medical electrical stimulation system using an electrode assembly having opposing semi-circular arms

• US 6,308,105 B1
• Filed: 07/15/1999
• Issued: 10/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Adams, Paulus G., Kretzers, Leo, Gubbels, Paulus A. A., Duysens, Victor P.J., Van Venrooij, Paulus
• Primary Examiner(s): LAYNO, CARL HERNANDZ
• Application Number:
  US09/353,621
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 607/116, 607/118, 600/377
• US Class Current: 607/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain

Abstract

A system for providing electrical stimulation to the trigeminal nerve through a lead. The lead features a lead body, a coupling for connecting a lead into a medical stimulator and a distal electrode assembly. The electrode assembly features a pair of oppositely disposed curved semi-circular cuffs disposed to conform a lumen therethrough. The ends of each cuff are mounted into a resilient hinge disposed upon the distal end of the lead body. The hinge biases the cuffs towards one another in such a manner that the lumen is maintained patent such that the nerve will remain therein. The hinge is further designed so as to be easily opened so as to spread the cuffs apart. Hinge opening is accomplished through a specialized implant tool, the implant tool being a generally cylindrical tube designed to meet about the lead body. A divergence in the lead body near the hinge permits the implant tool to engage the lead body in that section and thus forces the cuffs apart. In such a manner the cuffs may be opened so as to be implanted around the lead merely through manipulation of the proximal end of the lead body. Thus, this design permits the leads to be implanted using the so-called “key-hole” surgical approach. Additional embodiments of the lead are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for providing medical therapy comprising:

a lead comprising a lead body and an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly having two opposing semi-circular arms forming a lumen therethrough, the arms being mounted on a resilient hinge, the hinge comprising means for spreading the arms apart, wherein the arm spreading means comprises a pair of oppositely disposed grips, the grips comprising a surface which may be gripped by the fingers of a user to spread apart the two opposing semi-circular arms and provide access to the lumen.

2. A system for providing medical therapy comprising:

a lead comprising a lead body and an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly having two opposing semi-circular arms forming a lumen therethrough, the arms being mounted on a resilient hinge, the hinge comprising means for spreading the arms apart,

an implant tool disposed with the lead body, the implant tool comprising a first surface configured to engage the hinge and spread the arms apart;

the implant tool comprising a stylet.

3. A system for providing medical therapy comprising:

a lead comprising a lead body and an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly having two opposing semi-circular arms forming a lumen therethrough, the arms being mounted to a resilient hinge, the hinge having means for opening the arms apart;

an implant tool disposed with the lead body, the implant tool comprising a first surface configured to engage the hinge and spread the arms apart, the implant tool comprising a stylet, a stylet engagement member being disposed with the hinge and configured to receive a portion of the stylet.

4. A system for providing medical therapy comprising:

a lead comprising a lead body and an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly having two opposing semi-circular arms forming a lumen therethrough, the arms being mounted on a resilient hinge, the hinge comprising means for spreading the arms apart, an implant tool being disposed with the lead body and comprising a first surface configured to engage the hinge and spread the arms apart, the implant tool comprising a hollow cylinder disposed around the lead body, a distal end of the cylinder being configured to engage the hinge and spread the arms apart.

5. A system for providing medical therapy comprising:

a lead comprising a lead body and an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly having two opposing semi-circular arms forming a lumen therethrough, the arms being mounted on a resilient hinge, the hinge comprising means for spreading the arms apart; and

a drug pump coupled to the lead.

6. A system for providing medical therapy comprising:

a lead body comprising means for coupling the lead to an electrical stimulator, an elongated electrical conductor, an elongated insulative sheath for electrically insulating the elongated electrical conductor, and a resilient hinge disposed near a distal end of the lead body;

a first curved cuff operably connected to the hinge;

an electrode disposed on the first cuff, the electrode being electrically connected to the elongated conductor;

a second curved cuff operably connected to the hinge, and

wherein in a closed position the hinge biases the first curved cuff towards the second curved cuff, the hinge further comprising means for spreading the first cuff apart from the second cuff so that the hinge assumes an open position;

wherein the spreading means further comprises a divergent lead body and an implant tool disposed around a portion of the lead body, the implant tool comprising a first surface configured to engage the hinge and spread the first and second cuffs apart.

7. A system for providing medical therapy comprising:

a lead body comprising means for coupling the lead to an electrical stimulator, an elongated electrical conductor, an elongated insulative sheath for electrically insulating the elongated electrical conductor, and a resilient hinge disposed near a distal end of the lead body;

a first curved cuff operably connected to the hinge;

an electrode disposed on the first cuff, the electrode being electrically connected to the elongated conductor, and

a second curved cuff operably connected to the hinge;

wherein in a closed position the hinge biases the first curved cuff towards the second curved cuff, the hinge further comprising means for spreading the first cuff apart from the second cuff so that the hinge assumes an open position, and the implant tool is a cylindrical rod, a first end of the rod having a notch configured to engage the divergent lead body.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the spreading means further comprises a pair of oppositely disposed grips, the grips comprising a surface which may be gripped by the fingers of a user to spread apart the two opposing semi-circular arms and provide access to the lumen.

9. A system for providing medical therapy, comprising:

a lead body comprising means for coupling the lead to an electrical stimulator, an elongated electrical conductor, an elongated insulative sheath for electrically insulating the elongated electrical conductor, and a resilient hinge disposed near a distal end of the lead body;

a first curved cuff operably connected to the hinge;

an electrode disposed on the first cuff, the electrode being electrically connected to the elongated conductor;

a second curved cuff operably connected to the hinge, and

means for delivering a fluid through the first curved cuff;

wherein in a closed position the hinge biases the first curved cuff towards the second curved cuff, the hinge further comprising means for spreading the first cuff apart from the second cuff so that the hinge assumes an open position.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the means for delivering a fluid through the first curved cuff further comprises means for delivering the fluid to a location near the electrode.