Tools, systems, and methods for inserting an electrode array portion of a lead into a bodily orifice
First Claim
1. An insertion tool that facilitates insertion of an 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 that comprisesa slider member configured to be actuated by a user to operate the insertion tool, anda tubular member coupled to a distal end of the slider member and configured to at least partially contain a stiffening member configured to be inserted into the electrode array portion, wherein the tubular member 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;
a reactor assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and comprising the stiffening member and a spring-loaded reactor member couple at a distal end to the stiffening member, wherein, while the stiffening member is inserted into the electrode array portion, the spring-loaded reactor member moves from a distal position to a proximal position relative to the handle assembly to at least partially retract the stiffening member from the electrode array portion; and
a rocker lever thatpivots about an axle,selectively retains the spring-loaded retractor member in the distal position, andreleases the spring-loaded retractor member to move from the distal position to the proximal position by pivoting about the axle in response to the advancement by the user of the slider member in the distal direction relative to the handle assembly.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Exemplary insertion tools, systems, and methods for inserting an electrode array portion of a lead into a bodily orifice are described herein. An exemplary insertion tool includes a handle assembly, a slider assembly, a retractor assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly, and a rocker lever. The retractor assembly may include a stiffening member configured to be inserted into the electrode array portion and a spring-loaded retractor member coupled at a proximal end of the stiffening member. The spring-loaded retractor member may be configured to move from a distal position to a proximal position to at least partially retract the stiffening member from the electrode array portion. The rocker lever may be configured to selectively retain the spring-loaded retractor member in the distal position. Corresponding tools, systems, and methods are also described.
99 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An insertion tool that facilitates insertion of an 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 that comprises a slider member configured to be actuated by a user to operate the insertion tool, and a tubular member coupled to a distal end of the slider member and configured to at least partially contain a stiffening member configured to be inserted into the electrode array portion, wherein the tubular member 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; a reactor assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and comprising the stiffening member and a spring-loaded reactor member couple at a distal end to the stiffening member, wherein, while the stiffening member is inserted into the electrode array portion, the spring-loaded reactor member moves from a distal position to a proximal position relative to the handle assembly to at least partially retract the stiffening member from the electrode array portion; and a rocker lever that pivots about an axle, selectively retains the spring-loaded retractor member in the distal position, and releases the spring-loaded retractor member to move from the distal position to the proximal position by pivoting about the axle in response to the advancement by the user of the slider member in the distal direction relative to the handle assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A system comprising:
-
a lead comprising an electrode array portion and configured to be coupled to an implantable cochlear stimulator; and an insertion tool that facilitates insertion of the electrode array portion into a bodily orifice, the insertion tool comprising a handle assembly that facilitates handling of the insertion took, a slider assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and that comprises a slider member configured to be actuated by a user to operate the insertion tool, and a tubular member coupled to a distal end of the slider member and configured to at least partially contain a stiffening member configured to be inserted into the electrode array portion, wherein the tubular member 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, a retractor assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and comprising the stiffening member and a spring-loaded retractor member coupled at a distal end to the stiffening member, wherein, while the stiffening member is inserted into the electrode array portion, the spring-loaded retractor member moves from a distal position to a proximal position relative to the handle assembly to at least partially retract the stiffening member from the electrode array portion, and a rocker lever that pivots about an axle, selectively retains the spring-loaded retractor member in the distal position, and releases the spring-loaded retractor member to move from the distal position to the proximal position by pivoting about the axle in response to the advancement by the user of the slider member in the distal direction relative to the handle assembly. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of inserting an electrode array portion of a lead into a bodily orifice, the method comprising:
-
coupling the lead 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 configured to be actuated by a user to operate the insertion tool, the slider assembly comprising a slider member slidable relative to the handle assembly and a tubular member coupled to a distal end of the slider member and configured to at least partially contain a stiffening member configured to be inserted into the electrode array portion, wherein the tubular member 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, a retractor assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and comprising the stiffening member and a spring-loaded retractor member coupled at a distal end to the stiffening member, wherein, while the stiffening member is inserted into the electrode array portion, the spring-loaded retractor member moves from a distal position to a proximal position relative to the handle assembly to at least partially retract the stiffening member from the electrode array portion, and a rocker lever configured to pivots about an axle, selectively retains the spring-loaded retractor member in the distal position, and releases the spring-loaded retractor member to move from the distal position to the proximal position by pivoting about the axle in response to the advancement by the user of the slider member in the distal direction relative to the handle assembly; guiding the electrode array portion into a bodily orifice with the insertion tool; and moving the slider member from a first position to a second position relative to the handle assembly to facilitate pivoting of the rocker lever about the axle to release the spring-loaded retractor member to move from the distal position to the proximal position to at least partially retract the stiffening member from the electrode array portion. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
Specification