Apparatus and methods for anchoring electrode leads adjacent to nervous tissue
First Claim
1. An apparatus for neuromuscular electrical stimulation, the apparatus comprising an electrode lead, the electrode lead consisting essentially of:
- an elongated member having a proximal region and a distal region, the distal region having one or more electrodes disposed thereon and an anchoring mechanism, the anchoring mechanism consisting of;
a first solid polymer flange disposed on the distal region of the elongated member, the first solid polymer flange configured to deploy so as to be angled distally relative to the elongated member, to contact, but not penetrate, tissue to be stimulated without damaging the tissue, and to resist motion of the elongated member in a first direction, wherein the first solid polymer flange is solid during delivery and after deployment; and
a second solid polymer flange disposed distally relative to the first solid polymer flange on the elongated member, the second solid polymer flange configured to deploy so as to be angled proximally relative to the elongated member and to resist motion of the elongated member in a second direction, wherein the second solid polymer flange is solid during delivery and after deployment,wherein at least one of the one or more electrodes is disposed between the first and second solid polymer flanges, andwherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction such that the first and second solid polymer flanges sandwich the tissue therebetween to prevent migration proximally, distally, and in rotation, of the elongated member during movement of the tissue to secure the one or more electrodes in or adjacent to tissue innervating one or more spinal muscles within the patient.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for neuromuscular electrical stimulation and methods for anchoring the same are provided. The apparatus may include an elongated member having one or more electrodes disposed at the distal region of the elongated member and at least one fixation element disposed at the distal region of the elongated member. The fixation element may be shaped and sized to be deployed between tissue layers, such as muscle layers, without damaging the tissue layers so as to secure the one or more electrodes in or adjacent to a desired anatomical site within a patient. An additional fixation element may be disposed at the distal region of the elongated member so that tissue, such as a muscle, may be sandwiched between the fixation elements without damaging the tissue.
259 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for neuromuscular electrical stimulation, the apparatus comprising an electrode lead, the electrode lead consisting essentially of:
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an elongated member having a proximal region and a distal region, the distal region having one or more electrodes disposed thereon and an anchoring mechanism, the anchoring mechanism consisting of; a first solid polymer flange disposed on the distal region of the elongated member, the first solid polymer flange configured to deploy so as to be angled distally relative to the elongated member, to contact, but not penetrate, tissue to be stimulated without damaging the tissue, and to resist motion of the elongated member in a first direction, wherein the first solid polymer flange is solid during delivery and after deployment; and a second solid polymer flange disposed distally relative to the first solid polymer flange on the elongated member, the second solid polymer flange configured to deploy so as to be angled proximally relative to the elongated member and to resist motion of the elongated member in a second direction, wherein the second solid polymer flange is solid during delivery and after deployment, wherein at least one of the one or more electrodes is disposed between the first and second solid polymer flanges, and wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction such that the first and second solid polymer flanges sandwich the tissue therebetween to prevent migration proximally, distally, and in rotation, of the elongated member during movement of the tissue to secure the one or more electrodes in or adjacent to tissue innervating one or more spinal muscles within the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of anchoring an elongated member having one or more electrodes for neuromuscular electrical stimulation, the method comprising:
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providing an elongated member having an anchoring mechanism consisting of first and second solid polymer flanges disposed at a distal region of the elongated member, the first solid polymer flange configured to deploy so as to be angled distally relative to the elongated member, the second solid polymer flange configured to deploy so as to be angled proximally relative to the elongated member and disposed distally relative to the first solid polymer flange; inserting the first and second solid polymer flanges against or between muscle layers without damaging the muscle layers so as to sandwich the muscle layers therebetween to secure the one or more electrodes in or adjacent to tissue innervating one or more spinal muscles within a patient and to resist displacement proximally, distally, and in rotation, of the elongated member during movement of the muscle; and maintaining the one or more electrodes in or adjacent to the tissue innervating the one or more spinal muscles using the first and second solid polymer flanges. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification