Tools, systems, and methods for inserting a pre-curved electrode array portion of a lead into a bodily orifice
First Claim
1. An insertion tool that facilitates insertion of a pre-curved electrode array portion of a lead into a bodily orifice, the insertion tool comprising:
- a handle assembly that facilitates handling of the insertion tool;
a slider assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and comprisinga slider member configured to be actuated by a user to operate the insertion tool, anda pusher tube coupled to a distal end of the slider member and that advances in a distal direction relative to the handle assembly in response to an advancement by the user of the slider member in the distal direction relative to the handle assembly;
an insertion assembly coupled to the handle assembly and comprising a holder member configured to removably couple to the lead; and
a retractor assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and that selectively couples to a straightening member inserted into the pre-curved electrode array portion, the retractor assembly comprising a spring-loaded retractor member that moves from a distal position to a proximal position relative to the handle assembly in response to the advancement by the user of the slider member in the distal direction relative to the handle assembly to at least partially retract the straightening member from the pre-curved electrode array portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Exemplary insertion tools, systems, and methods for inserting a pre-curved electrode array portion of a lead into a bodily orifice are described herein. An exemplary insertion tool includes a handle assembly, a slider assembly, an insertion assembly coupled to the handle assembly, and a retractor assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and configured to selectively couple to a straightening member inserted into the pre-curved electrode array portion and at least partially retract the straightening member from the pre-curved electrode array portion in response to actuation by a user of the slider assembly. The retractor assembly may comprise a spring-loaded retractor member configured to move from a distal position to a proximal position in response to actuation by the user of the slider assembly to at least partially retract the straightening member from the pre-curved electrode array portion. Corresponding insertion tools, systems, and methods are also described.
99 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An insertion tool that facilitates insertion of a pre-curved electrode array portion of a lead into a bodily orifice, the insertion tool comprising:
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a handle assembly that facilitates handling of the insertion tool; a slider assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and comprising a slider member configured to be actuated by a user to operate the insertion tool, and a pusher tube coupled to a distal end of the slider member and that advances in a distal direction relative to the handle assembly in response to an advancement by the user of the slider member in the distal direction relative to the handle assembly; an insertion assembly coupled to the handle assembly and comprising a holder member configured to removably couple to the lead; and a retractor assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and that selectively couples to a straightening member inserted into the pre-curved electrode array portion, the retractor assembly comprising a spring-loaded retractor member that moves from a distal position to a proximal position relative to the handle assembly in response to the advancement by the user of the slider member in the distal direction relative to the handle assembly to at least partially retract the straightening member from the pre-curved electrode array portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system comprising:
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a lead comprising a pre-curved electrode array portion and configured to be coupled to an implantable cochlear stimulator; a straightening member inserted into the pre-curved electrode array portion to retain the pre-curved electrode array portion in a straightened configuration; and an insertion tool that facilitates insertion of the pre-curved electrode array portion into a cochlea of a patient the insertion tool comprising; a handle assembly that facilitates handling of the insertion tool; a slider assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and comprising a slider member configured to be actuated by a user to operate the insertion tool, and a pusher tube coupled to a distal end of the slider member and that advances in a distal direction relative to the handle assembly in response to an advancement by the user of the slider member in the distal direction relative to the handle assembly; an insertion assembly coupled to the handle assembly and comprising a holder member configured to removably couple to the lead; and a retractor assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and that selectively couples to the straightening member inserted into the pre-curved electrode array portion, the retractor assembly comprising a spring-loaded retractor member that moves from a distal position to a proximal position relative to the handle assembly in response to the advancement by the user of the slider member in the distal direction relative to the handle assembly to at least partially retract the straightening member from the pre-curved electrode array portion. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of inserting a pro-curved electrode array portion of a lead into a bodily orifice, the method comprising:
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coupling a proximal portion of a straightening member inserted into the pre-curved electrode array portion to an insertion tool, the insertion tool comprising a handle assembly that facilitates handling of the insertion tool, a slider assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and comprising a slider member configured to be actuated by a user to operate the insertion tool, and a pusher tube coupled to a distal end of the slider member and that advances in a distal direction relative to the handle assembly in response to an advancement by the user of the slider member in the distal direction relative to the handle assembly, an insertion assembly coupled to the handle assembly and comprising a holder member configured to removably couple to the lead, and a retractor assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and that selectively couples to the straightening member inserted into the pre-curved electrode array portion, the retractor assembly comprising a spring-loaded retractor member that moves from a distal position to a proximal position relative to the handle assembly in response to the advancement by the user of the slider member in the distal direction relative to the handle assembly to at least partially retract the straightening member from the pre-curved electrode array portion; moving the slider member in the distal direction relative to the handle assembly from a first position to a second position to retain the straightening member coupled to the retractor assembly; guiding the pre-curved electrode array portion into a bodily orifice with the insertion tool; moving the slider member in the distal direction relative to the handle assembly from the second position towards a third position to advance the pre-curved electrode array portion in a distal direction relative to the straightening member; and moving the slider member in the distal direction relative to the handle assembly to the third position to release the spring-loaded retractor member to move from the distal position to the proximal position to at least partially retract the straightening member from the pre-curved electrode array portion. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification