Hard tissue anchors and delivery devices
First Claim
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1. A method for anchoring an element within a body, the method comprising:
- positioning the element so that a portion resides within an epidural space of the body and portion resides outside of the epidural space;
placing a penetrating end of a hard tissue anchor against a surface of a bone, wherein the penetrating end has a shape configured for penetrating bone, and then applying force to drive the penetrating end of the hard tissue anchor into the surface of the bone;
fixing the portion of the element residing outside of the epidural space to a head of the hard tissue anchor so as to substantially maintain the position of the element;
wherein the element comprises a lead having at least one electrode and positioning comprises positioning the at least one electrode within the epidural space;
wherein the head includes a channel connected to an aperture and further comprising passing a portion of the element through the channel to the aperture; and
wherein fixing comprises deforming the head so as to at least partially close the channel.
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Abstract
The present invention provides devices, systems and methods for anchoring medical devices to hard tissues, such as bones or bony structures, particularly vertebrae. By anchoring these medical devices directly to the surrounding hard tissue, the devices are anchored closer to the source of treatment. This provides additional stability and reduces migration of the device at the treatment site. Also, by attaching to hard tissue rather than soft tissue, a stronger attachment is often able to be made.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for anchoring an element within a body, the method comprising:
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positioning the element so that a portion resides within an epidural space of the body and portion resides outside of the epidural space; placing a penetrating end of a hard tissue anchor against a surface of a bone, wherein the penetrating end has a shape configured for penetrating bone, and then applying force to drive the penetrating end of the hard tissue anchor into the surface of the bone; fixing the portion of the element residing outside of the epidural space to a head of the hard tissue anchor so as to substantially maintain the position of the element; wherein the element comprises a lead having at least one electrode and positioning comprises positioning the at least one electrode within the epidural space; wherein the head includes a channel connected to an aperture and further comprising passing a portion of the element through the channel to the aperture; and wherein fixing comprises deforming the head so as to at least partially close the channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification