Paddle-style medical lead and method

• US 8,116,880 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2009
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Cross, Thomas E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): EVANISKO, GEORGE ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US12/367,664
• Publication Number:
  US 20090143846A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,100 Days
• Field of Search: 607/116, 607/117
• US Class Current: 607/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor

Abstract

A medical lead for electrical stimulation or sensing. The medical lead has a generally flat paddle on the distal end of the lead body. An electrode array is provided on the paddle, with the electrode array displaced along the length of the paddle toward the distal end. Advantages include allowing the electrode array may be advanced into position for electrical stimulation or sensing with the flat paddle extending through connective tissue, such as the ligamentum flavum, thus facilitating repositioning, withdrawal or explanting the medical lead, as well as using the flat features of the paddle to anchor the lead to the connective tissue.

Claims

1. A method of use of a medical lead having a generally flat paddle with an electrode array comprising at least one electrode, the paddle having proximal and distal ends, opposite major surfaces, and a length extending between the proximal and the distal ends, the electrode array being displaced along the length of the paddle toward the distal end, the method comprising:

percutaneously introducing distal end of the paddle generally anteriorly through the ligamentum flavum into an epidural space of a patient through a needle with the proximal end of the paddle remaining on the posterior side of the ligamentum flavum; and

anchoring, with an anchor comprising clamping jaws, the paddle to the posterior side of the ligamentum flavum, wherein the clamping jaws clamp the major surfaces of the paddle.

2. The method of claim 1 in which at least one of the clamping jaws is provided with at least one rib, the step of clamping the major surfaces of the flat paddle between the clamping jaws including engaging at least one of the major surfaces of the paddle with the rib to retain the paddle in position relative to the anchor.

3. The method of claim 2 in which a plurality of ribs are provided on at least one clamping jaw, the step of engaging at least one of the major surfaces of the paddle with the rib to retain the paddle in position relative to the anchor including engaging at least one of the major surfaces of the paddle with the plurality of ribs.

4. The method of claim 1 in which the clamping jaws are separable, the clamping jaws being provided with mating knobs and cavities for attaching the clamping jaws together, the step of attaching an anchor to the paddle of the medical lead including mating the mating knobs and cavities of the clamping jaws together to attach the clamping jaws together.

5. The method of claim 1 in which the clamping jaws are pivotably connected to one another, the step of attaching the anchor to the paddle including pivoting the clamping jaws from an open position in which the anchor may be moved relative to the paddle to a closed position for clamping the major surfaces of the paddle therebetween.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising removing the needle while leaving the lead in position.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the needle has a lumen having a continuous oblong cross section adapted to receive the paddle of the medical lead.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising repositioning the paddle.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising explanting the medical lead without cutting through or dissecting the ligamentum flavum.

10. A method of use of a medical lead having a generally flat paddle with an electrode array comprising at least one electrode, the paddle having proximal and distal ends and a length extending between the proximal and the distal ends, the electrode array being displaced along the length of the paddle toward the distal end, the method comprising:

percutaneously introducing distal end of the paddle with an introducer needle generally through connective tissue into a desired stimulation or sensing site in a patient with the proximal end of the paddle left extending out from the connective tissue; and

anchoring the paddle to the connective tissue with clamping jaws, wherein the clampingjaws clamp the paddle.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising removing the needle while leaving the lead in position.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the needle has a lumen having a continuous oblong cross section adapted to receive the paddle of the medical lead.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising repositioning the paddle.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising explanting the medical lead without cutting through or dissecting the connective tissue.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein clamping the two jaws onto the paddle comprises clamping opposite major surfaces of the paddle between the two clamping jaws.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the two jaws are separable.

17. The method of claim 10 in which at least one of the clamping jaws is provided with at least one rib.