Expandable systems for medical electrical stimulation
First Claim
1. A medical system for electrical stimulation of a spinal cord, the system comprising:
- a first column of electrodes, and a second column of electrodes extending alongside the first column of electrodes, each of the first and second columns of electrodes including at least a first electrode separated from a second electrode by an insulative spacer, and each of the first and second columns of electrodes having a length that is defined from a proximal end of the respective first electrode to a distal end of the respective second electrode;
an expandable member disposed between the first and second columns of electrodes; and
an expansion mechanism adapted to transmit externally applied pressure to expand the expandable member, the expansion of the expandable member forcing each of the first column of electrodes and the second column of electrodes into a respective position in which the first and second columns of electrodes are spaced apart from one another and the length of the first column extends approximately parallel with the length of the second column;
wherein the expandable member comprises a first expandable member, and further comprising;
a second expandable member extending alongside the first column of electrodes and being offset from the first expandable member about a perimeter of the first column of electrodes; and
a third expandable member extending alongside the second column of electrodes and being offset from the first expandable member about a perimeter of the second column of electrodes; and
wherein the expansion mechanism is further adapted to transmit externally applied pressure to expand the second and third expandable members.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical system for electrical stimulation includes a first column of electrodes, a second column of electrodes, an expandable member disposed between first and second columns, and an expansion mechanism adapted to transmit an externally applied pressure to the expandable member. The pressure expands the expandable member in order to force the first column of electrodes apart from the second column of electrodes. The first and second columns, disposed side-by-side, may be inserted through a percutaneous needle and into a epidural space, alongside a spinal cord; after insertion, the first column may be forced apart from the second column by applying the pressure to the expandable member.
46 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A medical system for electrical stimulation of a spinal cord, the system comprising:
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a first column of electrodes, and a second column of electrodes extending alongside the first column of electrodes, each of the first and second columns of electrodes including at least a first electrode separated from a second electrode by an insulative spacer, and each of the first and second columns of electrodes having a length that is defined from a proximal end of the respective first electrode to a distal end of the respective second electrode; an expandable member disposed between the first and second columns of electrodes; and an expansion mechanism adapted to transmit externally applied pressure to expand the expandable member, the expansion of the expandable member forcing each of the first column of electrodes and the second column of electrodes into a respective position in which the first and second columns of electrodes are spaced apart from one another and the length of the first column extends approximately parallel with the length of the second column; wherein the expandable member comprises a first expandable member, and further comprising; a second expandable member extending alongside the first column of electrodes and being offset from the first expandable member about a perimeter of the first column of electrodes; and a third expandable member extending alongside the second column of electrodes and being offset from the first expandable member about a perimeter of the second column of electrodes; and wherein the expansion mechanism is further adapted to transmit externally applied pressure to expand the second and third expandable members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A medical system for electrical stimulation of a spinal cord, the system comprising:
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a first column of electrodes, and a second column of electrodes extending alongside the first column of electrodes, each of the first and second columns of electrodes including at least a first electrode separated from a second electrode by an insulative spacer, and each of the first and second columns of electrodes having a length that is defined from a proximal end of the respective first electrode to a distal end of the respective second electrode; an expandable member disposed between the first and second columns of electrodes; and an expansion mechanism adapted to transmit externally applied pressure to expand the expandable member, the expansion of the expandable member forcing each of the first column of electrodes and the second column of electrodes into a respective position in which the first and second columns of electrodes are spaced apart from one another and the length of the first column extends approximately parallel with the length of the second column; and wherein the first column of electrodes is coupled to a first body, the first body including a distal tip; and the second column of electrodes is coupled to a second body, the second body including a distal tip unattached to the first body distal tip, such that, when the first and second columns of electrodes are in the spaced apart position, the first body distal tip is spaced apart from the second body distal tip. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A medical system for electrical stimulation, the system comprising:
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a first column of electrodes, and a second column of electrodes extending alongside the first column of electrodes, each of the first and second columns of electrodes including at least a first electrode separated from a second electrode by an insulative spacer; an expandable area extending between the first and second columns of electrodes, the expandable area formed by a sidewall attached to each of the first and second columns of electrodes; and an expansion element adapted for insertion within the expandable area in order to force the first column of electrodes apart from the second column of electrodes, when the expansion element is expanded within the area; and wherein the first column of electrodes is coupled to a first body, the first body including a distal tip; and the second column of electrodes is coupled to a second body, the second body including a distal tip unattached to the first body distal tip, such that, when the first column of electrodes is forced apart from the second column of electrodes, the first body distal tip is also forced apart from the second body distal tip. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A medical system for electrical stimulation, the system comprising:
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a first body including a distal tip; a second body including a distal tip, the second body distal tip being unattached to the first body distal tip; a first column of electrodes coupled to the first body in proximity to the first body distal tip, and a second column of electrodes coupled to the second body in proximity to the second body distal tip, the second column of electrodes extending alongside the first column of electrodes, and each of the first and second columns of electrodes including at least a first electrode separated from a second electrode by an insulative spacer; an expandable member disposed between the first and second columns of electrodes; and an expansion mechanism adapted to transmit externally applied pressure to expand the expandable member, the expansion of the expandable member forcing the first column of electrodes and the first body distal tip apart from the second column of electrodes and the second body distal tip. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification