Self fixing spinal cord stimulation lead and delivery system
First Claim
1. A system including an implantable medical electrical lead comprising:
- a) an elongate lead body having a length extending from a proximal region to a distal region, wherein at least the distal region has a longitudinal center axis;
b) at least one electrical conductor disposed along the length of the lead body;
c) at least one electrode disposed in the lead body distal region and in electrical continuity with the at least one conductor; and
d) at least two fixation flaps not carrying an electrode and supported opposite each other substantially at a tangential location with respect to a periphery of a sidewall of the distal lead region, wherein the tangential location of the fixation flaps is spaced from the longitudinal center axis of the lead body directly opposite the electrode, and wherein when the at least two fixation flaps are in a first position they are constrained close to the lead body, the at least two fixation flaps in the constrained position, do not cover the at least one electrode, and wherein when the at least two fixation flaps are in a second position, they extend away from the lead body and away from each other for urging the electrode toward body tissue.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods for implanting a spinal neurological lead having at least one wing or flap extending transversely from the lead body. The wing can have a first wrapped configuration in which the wing is constrained against the lead body and a second unwrapped configuration is which the wing is unconstrained and allowed to extend outwardly. The wing can be biased to unwrap such that the wing tips change in angular position when viewed from the end, and in transverse extension when viewed from the top, but not in longitudinal position when viewed from the side. A pusher tube can be used to urge the lead from a delivery catheter, allowing the wing or wings to extend to urge a surface electrode toward the spinal cord, to maintain longitudinal position, and to be passively fixed over time. Leads according to the present invention can provide improved longitudinal stability after the lead electrode position has been properly fixed with respect to the spinal cord.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A system including an implantable medical electrical lead comprising:
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a) an elongate lead body having a length extending from a proximal region to a distal region, wherein at least the distal region has a longitudinal center axis; b) at least one electrical conductor disposed along the length of the lead body; c) at least one electrode disposed in the lead body distal region and in electrical continuity with the at least one conductor; and d) at least two fixation flaps not carrying an electrode and supported opposite each other substantially at a tangential location with respect to a periphery of a sidewall of the distal lead region, wherein the tangential location of the fixation flaps is spaced from the longitudinal center axis of the lead body directly opposite the electrode, and wherein when the at least two fixation flaps are in a first position they are constrained close to the lead body, the at least two fixation flaps in the constrained position, do not cover the at least one electrode, and wherein when the at least two fixation flaps are in a second position, they extend away from the lead body and away from each other for urging the electrode toward body tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for placing an implantable medical lead along a body tissue, the method comprising:
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a) advancing a catheter having a lumen into the epidural space with the implantable medical lead disposed within the lumen, wherein the lead has a proximal region, a distal region having a longitudinal center axis, at least one electrode disposed near the distal region, and an electrical conductor extending from the proximal region to the electrode, and wherein the lead has at least two fixation flaps not carrying an electrode and supported opposite each other at a tangential location with respect to a periphery of a sidewall of the distal lead region, wherein the tangential location of the fixation flaps is spaced from the longitudinal center axis directly opposite the electrode and wherein when the lead distal region is housed inside the catheter, the at least two fixation flaps are constrained toward the lead body, the at least two fixation flaps not covering the at least one electrode when they are constrained toward the lead body; and b) forcing the lead distal region out of the catheter, and into the body tissue with the at least two fixation flaps moving into an unconstrained position extending away from the lead body to thereby help the electrode bear against the body tissue. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33)
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31. The method of 20 further comprising urging the lead body partially out of the catheter to dispose the electrode near the body tissue and determining at least one of electrical or physiological properties using the electrode, followed by completely urging the lead body out of the catheter.
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34. An implantable medical electrical lead, which comprises:
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a) an elongate lead body having a length extending from a proximal region to a distal region, wherein at least the distal region has a longitudinal center axis; b) at least one electrical conductor disposed along the length of the body; c) at least one electrode disposed in the lead body distal region an in electrical continuity with the at least one conductor; and d) at least two fixation flaps not carrying an electrode and supported opposite each other at a tangential location with respect to a periphery of a sidewall of the distal lead region, wherein the tangential location of the fixation flaps is spaced from the longitudinal center axis directly opposite the electrode, and wherein when the at least two fixation flaps are in a constrained position, they are disposed close to the lead body, the at least two fixation flaps do not cover the at least one electrode when in a constrained position and wherein when the at least two fixation flaps are in an unconstrained position, they arc away from the longitudinal center axis of the lead body and away from each other for urging the electrode toward body tissue.
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Specification