Systems and methods for making and using a lead introducer for an implantable electrical stimulation system
First Claim
1. A lead introducer comprising:
- an outer needle comprising an outer-needle body having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal length, the outer-needle body comprising a bend of at least 5°
permanently formed along the distal end portion of the outer-needle body, the bend configured and arranged for facilitating insertion of the lead introducer into an epidural space of a patient, the outer-needle body defining an open channel extending along the entire longitudinal length of the outer-needle body, andan inner needle configured and arranged for sliding along the open channel of the outer needle, the inner needle comprising an inner-needle body having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal length, the inner-needle body defining a lumen extending along the entire longitudinal length of the inner-needle body, wherein the inner-needle both comprises a first region having increased flexibility relative to adjacent portions of the inner-needle body, the first region disposed along the distal end portion of the inner-needle body; and
a splittable member having at least one perforated region extending along a longitudinal length of the splittable member, the splittable member configured and arranged for disposing over the outer-needle body and the inner-needle body when the inner-needle body is disposed in the open channel of the outer-needle body and for separating from the outer-needle body and the inner-needle body by separating along the at least one perforated region.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lead introducer includes an outer needle with an outer-needle body. The outer-needle body includes a bend of at least 5° permanently formed along a distal end portion of the outer-needle body. The bend facilitates insertion of the lead introducer into an epidural space of a patient. The outer-needle body defines an open channel extending along an entire length of the outer-needle body. An inner needle is slidable along the open channel of the outer needle. The inner needle includes an inner-needle body that defines a lumen extending along an entire length of the inner-needle body. A splittable member is disposable over the outer needle when the inner needle is disposed in the open channel of the outer needle. The splittable member is separatable from the inner and outer needles along at least one perforated region.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A lead introducer comprising:
-
an outer needle comprising an outer-needle body having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal length, the outer-needle body comprising a bend of at least 5°
permanently formed along the distal end portion of the outer-needle body, the bend configured and arranged for facilitating insertion of the lead introducer into an epidural space of a patient, the outer-needle body defining an open channel extending along the entire longitudinal length of the outer-needle body, andan inner needle configured and arranged for sliding along the open channel of the outer needle, the inner needle comprising an inner-needle body having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal length, the inner-needle body defining a lumen extending along the entire longitudinal length of the inner-needle body, wherein the inner-needle both comprises a first region having increased flexibility relative to adjacent portions of the inner-needle body, the first region disposed along the distal end portion of the inner-needle body; and a splittable member having at least one perforated region extending along a longitudinal length of the splittable member, the splittable member configured and arranged for disposing over the outer-needle body and the inner-needle body when the inner-needle body is disposed in the open channel of the outer-needle body and for separating from the outer-needle body and the inner-needle body by separating along the at least one perforated region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A lead introducer comprising:
-
an outer needle comprising an outer-needle body having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal length, the outer-needle body comprising a bend of at least 5°
permanently formed along the distal end portion of the outer-needle body, the bend configured and arranged for facilitating insertion of the lead introducer into an epidural space of a patient, the outer-needle body defining an open channel extending along the entire longitudinal length of the outer-needle body, andan inner needle configured and arranged for sliding along the open channel of the outer needle, the inner needle comprising an inner-needle body having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal length, the inner-needle body defining a lumen extending along the entire longitudinal length of the inner-needle body; a splittable member having at least one perforated region extending along a longitudinal length of the splittable member, the splittable member configured and arranged for disposing over the outer-needle body and the inner-needle body when the inner-needle body is disposed in the open channel of the outer-needle body and for separating from the outer-needle body and the inner-needle body by separating along the at least one perforated region; and at least one key rib disposed along the inner needle, the at least one key rib configured and arranged for orienting the inner needle circumferentially relative to the open channel of the outer needle. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
-
19. A lead introducer comprising:
-
an outer needle comprising an outer-needle body having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal length, the outer-needle body comprising a bend of at least 5°
permanently formed along the distal end portion of the outer-needle body, the bend configured and arranged for facilitating insertion of the lead introducer into an epidural space of a patient, the outer-needle body defining an open channel extending along the entire longitudinal length of the outer-needle body, andan inner needle configured and arranged for sliding along the open channel of the outer needle, the inner needle comprising an inner-needle body having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal length, the inner-needle body defining a lumen extending along the entire longitudinal length of the inner-needle body; a splittable member having at least one perforated region extending along a longitudinal length of the splittable member, the splittable member configured and arranged for disposing over the outer-needle body and the inner-needle body when the inner-needle body is disposed in the open channel of the outer-needle body and for separating from the outer-needle body and the inner-needle body by separating along the at least one perforated region; and a watertight liner extending along longitudinal surfaces of the lumen of the inner needle.
-
Specification