Implantable medical lead with proximal retrieval wire
First Claim
1. An assembly comprising:
- a medical lead including;
a flexible lead body having a distal end and a proximal end,one or more electrodes disposed near the distal end of the lead body, anda lead connector having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the lead connector being engaged to the proximal end of the lead body and including one or more electrical contacts;
a flexible retrieval wire that extends through the lead connector and from the proximal end of the lead connector,wherein the medical lead is configured to be positioned within a patient with the retrieval wire securely attached to a section of the medical lead to facilitate moving the medical lead, with the retrieval wire securely attached to the section of the medical lead, into a position such that the electrodes are adjacent a target tissue of the patient; and
a needle attached to a distal end of the retrieval wire, wherein the needle allows for lead implantation.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosure describes a medical lead with a retrieval wire that extends from the proximal end of the lead. The retrieval wire allows a physician to insert the medical lead into a patient and grab the retrieval wire to pull the proximal end of the lead away from the implant site. Upon gaining access to a lead connector on the proximal end of the medical lead, the physician may remove the retrieval wire and couple the lead connector to an implantable medical device that provides stimulation therapy. In this manner the physician may avoid damaging the lead connector when retrieving the medical lead. In addition, the retrieval wire may be used to provide test stimulation to verify correct electrode location. The medical lead may be used to stimulate tissue such as the stomach, small intestine, and the large intestine.
52 Citations
31 Claims
-
1. An assembly comprising:
-
a medical lead including; a flexible lead body having a distal end and a proximal end, one or more electrodes disposed near the distal end of the lead body, and a lead connector having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the lead connector being engaged to the proximal end of the lead body and including one or more electrical contacts; a flexible retrieval wire that extends through the lead connector and from the proximal end of the lead connector, wherein the medical lead is configured to be positioned within a patient with the retrieval wire securely attached to a section of the medical lead to facilitate moving the medical lead, with the retrieval wire securely attached to the section of the medical lead, into a position such that the electrodes are adjacent a target tissue of the patient; and a needle attached to a distal end of the retrieval wire, wherein the needle allows for lead implantation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for implanting a flexible medical lead in a patient, the method comprising:
-
inserting a distal end of medical lead into a patient, wherein a flexible retrieval wire that is securely attached to a section of the medical lead prior to and during the insertion; positioning one or more electrodes disposed near the distal end of the medical lead adjacent to a target tissue of the patient while the retrieval wire is securely attached to the section of the lead, wherein the one or more electrodes are electrically coupled to the flexible retrieval wire constructed of an electrically conductive material; pulling the flexible retrieval wire that extends from a proximal end of a lead connector disposed at a proximal end of the medical lead to access the proximal end of the medical lead, wherein the flexible retrieval wire extends through the lead connector and extends out from the distal end of the medical lead, wherein the lead connector includes one or more electrical contacts; and delivering test stimulation to the patient via the electrically conductive material of the retrieval wire and the one or more electrodes electrically coupled to the retrieval wire. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. An implantable stimulation system comprising:
-
an electrical stimulator; an implantable lead coupled to the electrical stimulator, wherein the lead includes a flexible lead body having a distal end and a proximal end, and one or more electrodes disposed near the distal end of the lead body; a lead connector having a proximal end, the lead connector located on the proximal end of the lead body, and including one or more electrical contacts; a flexible retrieval wire that extends along substantially an entire length of the flexible lead body, extends from the proximal end of the lead connector and extends out from the distal end of the lead body and is detachable from the lead body for coupling of the connector to the electrical stimulator; and a needle attached to a distal end of the retrieval wire, wherein the needle allows for lead implantation, wherein the implantable lead is configured to be positioned within a patient with the retrieval wire securely attached to a section of the implantable lead to facilitate moving the implantable lead, with the retrieval wire securely attached to the section of the implantable lead, into a position such that the electrodes are adjacent a target tissue of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
Specification