Implantable electrode, insertion tool for use therewith, and insertion method

• US 7,460,913 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2005
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: He, Tom Xiaohai, Smith, Lani A., Kuzma, Janusz A., Tehnuwara, Chuladdatta
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, YUN H
• Application Number:
  US11/124,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20050251237A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,303 Days
• Field of Search: 607/116, 607/128, 600/377, 600/585, 128/899, 606/108
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor

Abstract

An electrode system includes an implantable electrode having at least one electrode contact, an insertion tool, and a technique or method that allows the electrode contact to be positioned within soft tissue at a selected target stimulation site.

Claims

1. An electrode system comprising:

an implantable electrode having at least one electrode contact at a distal end, a connector plug at a proximal end, and a conductor to electrically connect the electrode contact to the connector plug, wherein the electrode contact at the distal end comprises an anchoring tube; and

an insertion tool comprising

an insertion tube comprising a tube wall which defines a central lumen, the insertion tube further comprising a longitudinal slot in the tube wall and extending from a distal end of the insertion tube, and

a handle for holding the insertion tube and applying a tension force to the implantable electrode when the implantable electrode is placed in the insertion tube.

2. The electrode system of claim 1 further comprising at least one longitudinal row of flexible barbs protruding from the anchoring tube.

3. The electrode system of claim 2 further comprising at least two longitudinal rows of flexible barbs protruding from the anchoring tube, located on opposite sides of the anchoring tube.

4. The electrode system of claim 1, further comprising at least one row of flexible barbs disposed in a concentric circle around, and protruding from, the anchoring tube.

5. The electrode system of claim 4, wherein the anchoring tube comprises a collar from which the at least one row of flexible barbs protrudes and over which the insertion tube can not extend.

6. The electrode system of claim 1 wherein the anchoring tube is made from silicone and is molded over the conductor.

7. The electrode system of claim 1 wherein the insertion tube further comprises a second longitudinal slot in the tube wall and extending from the distal end of the insertion tube.

8. The electrode system of claim 1, wherein the conductor comprises a multi-filar conductor.

9. The electrode system of claim 8, wherein the multi-filar conductor comprises a plurality of thin fibers, each fiber having a diameter of about between 10 to 25 μ

m.

10. The electrode system of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a hook that cooperates with the connector plug to apply a tension force to the implantable electrode when the implantable electrode is placed in the insertion tube.