Lead insertion tools
First Claim
1. An insertion tool configured to facilitate insertion of a lead having a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon at least partially into a bodily orifice, the insertion tool comprising:
- a handle assembly comprisinga handle portion configured to facilitate handling of the insertion tool by a user and comprising a lumen extending at least partially therethrough, anda rigid handle tube coupled to a distal end of the handle portion and having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen of the handle tube being in communication with the lumen of the handle portion;
a release assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and comprising a release button and a plunger disposed within a lumen of the handle portion and coupled to the release button; and
an insertion assembly coupled to the handle assembly and comprising a rigid holding tube configured to removably couple to the lead and a flexible tube coupled to the proximal portion of the holding tube and to a distal portion of the plunger, the flexible tube configured to pass through the lumen of the handle tube;
wherein the release assembly is configured to release the lead from the holding tube of the insertion assembly in response to a user actuation of the release button, the user actuation causing the plunger to retract within the lumen of the handle portion towards a proximal end of the handle portion, wherein the retraction of the plunger causes the flexible tube and the holding tube to retract away from the lead.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An exemplary insertion tool configured to facilitate insertion of a lead into a bodily orifice includes a handle assembly configured to facilitate handling of the insertion tool, an insertion assembly coupled to the handle assembly and comprising a rigid holding tube configured to removably couple to a portion of the lead, and a release assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and comprising a release button. The release assembly is configured to release the lead from the holding tube in response to user actuation of the release button. Corresponding insertion tools, systems, and methods are also described.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An insertion tool configured to facilitate insertion of a lead having a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon at least partially into a bodily orifice, the insertion tool comprising:
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a handle assembly comprising a handle portion configured to facilitate handling of the insertion tool by a user and comprising a lumen extending at least partially therethrough, and a rigid handle tube coupled to a distal end of the handle portion and having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen of the handle tube being in communication with the lumen of the handle portion; a release assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and comprising a release button and a plunger disposed within a lumen of the handle portion and coupled to the release button; and an insertion assembly coupled to the handle assembly and comprising a rigid holding tube configured to removably couple to the lead and a flexible tube coupled to the proximal portion of the holding tube and to a distal portion of the plunger, the flexible tube configured to pass through the lumen of the handle tube; wherein the release assembly is configured to release the lead from the holding tube of the insertion assembly in response to a user actuation of the release button, the user actuation causing the plunger to retract within the lumen of the handle portion towards a proximal end of the handle portion, wherein the retraction of the plunger causes the flexible tube and the holding tube to retract away from the lead. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system comprising:
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a lead comprising a stimulation portion having a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon, a lead body configured to facilitate handling of the lead, and a jog portion configured to connect the lead body to the stimulation portion; and an insertion tool comprising a handle assembly comprising a handle portion configured to facilitate handling of the insertion tool by a user and comprising a lumen extending at least partially therethrough, and a rigid handle tube coupled to a distal end of the handle portion and having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen of the handle tube being in communication with the lumen of the handle portion; a release assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and comprising a release button and a plunger disposed within the lumen of the handle portion and coupled to the release button; an insertion assembly coupled to the handle assembly and comprising a rigid holding tube having a receiving slot disposed therein configured to facilitate passage therethrough of the jog portion of the lead in order to facilitate removable coupling of the jog portion to the holding tube, and a flexible tube coupled to the proximal portion of the holding tube and to a distal portion of the plunger, the flexible tube configured to pass through the lumen of the handle tube; and wherein the release assembly is configured to release the lead from the holding tube of the insertion assembly in response to a user actuation of the release button, the user actuation causing the plunger to retract within the lumen of the handle portion towards a proximal end of the handle portion, wherein the retraction of the plunger causes the flexible tube and the holding tube to retract away from the lead. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of inserting a lead into a bodily orifice, the method comprising:
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coupling a portion of the lead to a holding tube that is a part of an insertion tool, the insertion tool comprising; a handle assembly comprising a handle portion configured to facilitate handling of the insertion tool by a user and comprising a lumen extending at least partially therethrough, and a rigid handle tube coupled to a distal end of the handle portion and having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen of the handle tube being in communication with the lumen of the handle portion; a release assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and comprising a release button and a plunger disposed within a lumen of the handle portion and coupled to the release button; and an insertion assembly coupled to the handle assembly and comprising the holding tube configured to removably couple to the lead and a flexible tube coupled to the proximal portion of the holding tube and to a distal portion of the plunger, the flexible tube configured to pass through the lumen of the handle tube; guiding the lead at least partially into the bodily orifice with the insertion tool; and actuating the release button to release the lead from the holding tube, wherein the actuating causes the plunger to retract within the lumen of the handle portion towards a proximal end of the handle portion, and wherein the retraction of the plunger causes the flexible tube and the holding tube to retract away from the lead. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification