GUIDE TUBE FOR AN IMPLANTABLE DEVICE SYSTEM

• US 20090187196A1
• Filed: 10/17/2008
• Published: 07/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neuronexus Technologies Incorporated (NEL Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Neuronexus Technologies Incorporated (NEL Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vetter, Rio J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,224,417 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/129
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

The implantable device system of the preferred embodiments includes a guide tube, a first electrical subsystem, and a second electrical subsystem. The first electrical subsystem is connected to the second electrical subsystem. The guide tube functions to facilitate the insertion of at least one first electrical subsystem and is adapted to allow the first electrical subsystem(s) to move freely with the tissue, allowing the placement of the first electrical subsystem without disconnecting the second electrical subsystem. The implantable device system may be implanted into the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, muscle, or any other suitable anatomical location. The guide tube of the system, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.

Claims

1. An implantable device system, comprising of:

a first electrical subsystem that interfaces with tissue;

a second electrical subsystem;

a connector that connects the first electrical subsystem to the second electrical subsystem; and

a guide tube that operates in the following modes;

active mode;

wherein the guide tube is rigid in the axial direction and facilitates insertion of the first electrical subsystem into tissue; and

inactive mode;

wherein the guide tube allows the first electrical subsystem to move freely with the tissue;

wherein, during the transition of the guide tube between active mode and inactive mode, the connector connects the first electrical subsystem to the second electrical subsystem.

2. The implantable device system of claim 1 wherein the first electrical subsystem is an implantable neural interface, the second electrical subsystem operates the implantable neural interface, and the connector is a cable that connects the first electrical subsystem to the second electrical subsystem.

3. The implantable device system of claim 1 wherein the guide tube defines a slit such that the guide tube transitions between active mode and inactive mode by sliding the connector through the slit.

4. The implantable device system of claim 3 wherein the guide tube defines a linear slit that runs the length of the guide tube and that runs generally in the axial direction.

5. The implantable device system of claim 1 wherein the guide tube defines a plurality of perforations that uncouple and define a slit, wherein the guide tube transitions between active mode and inactive mode by sliding the connector through the slit.

6. The implantable device system of claim 5 wherein the guide tube defines a plurality of perforations that run the length of the guide tube and that run generally in the axial direction.

7. The implantable device system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the guide tube is made of a flexible material and the diameter of the guide tube is expandable such that the guide tube transitions between active mode and inactive mode by expanding the diameter of the guide tube and sliding the guide tube over the second electrical subsystem.

8. The implantable device system of claim 7 wherein the guide tube includes at least one spline that is rigid in the axial direction.

9. The implantable device system of claim 8 wherein the at least one spline runs the length of the guide tube and runs generally in the axial direction.

10. The implantable device system of claim 8 wherein the at least one spline is made of a material that is resorbable into the tissue after a period of time such that the guide tube transitions between active mode and inactive mode by the at least one spline resorbing into the tissue.

11. The implantable device system of claim 7 wherein the flexible material is flexible in the radial direction and rigid in the axial direction.

12. The implantable device system of claim 11 wherein the portion of the guide tube made from the flexible material runs the length of the guide tube.

13. The implantable device system of claim 7 wherein the guide tube defines a slit such that the guide tube transitions between active mode and inactive mode by expanding the diameter of the guide tube and sliding the second electrical subsystem through the slit.

14. The implantable device system of claim 13 wherein the guide tube defines a linear slit that runs generally in the axial direction.

15. The implantable device system of claim 7 wherein the guide tube defines a plurality of perforations that uncouple and define a slit, wherein the guide tube transitions between active mode and inactive mode by expanding the diameter of the guide tube and sliding the second electrical subsystem through the slit.

16. The implantable device system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the guide tube is made of a material that is resorbable into the tissue after a period of time such that the guide tube transitions between active mode and inactive mode by resorbing into the tissue.

17. An implantable device system having a first electrical subsystem that interfaces with tissue, a second electrical subsystem, and a connector that connects the first electrical subsystem to the second electrical subsystem, the implantable device system comprising of:

a guide tube, coupled to the first electrical subsystem, that facilitates insertion of the first electrical subsystem into tissue; and

wherein the guide tube defines a slit, such that the guide tube is uncoupled from the first electrical subsystem by sliding the slit of the guide tube over and off of the connector.

18. The implantable device system of claim 17 wherein the guide tube defines a linear slit that runs the length of the guide tube and that runs generally in the axial direction.

19. The implantable device system of claim 17 wherein the guide tube defines a plurality of perforations that uncouple and define the slit.

20. A method of implanting an implantable device system having a first electrical subsystem that interfaces with tissue, a second electrical subsystem, and a connector that connects the first electrical subsystem to the second electrical subsystem, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting a guide tube into tissue;

inserting, through the guide tube, the first electrical subsystem into tissue, wherein the first electrical subsystem is connected to the second electrical subsystem;

removing the guide tube from the tissue; and

sliding the guide tube over at least one of the connector and the second electrical subsystem.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the steps of inserting a guide tube into tissue and inserting, through the guide tube, the first electrical subsystem into tissue are combined into the single step of inserting the first electrical subsystem, coupled to a guide tube, into tissue.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the guide tube defines a slit and wherein the step of sliding the guide tube over at least one of the connector and the second electrical subsystem is performed by sliding the slit of the guide tube over the connector.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein the guide tube defines a plurality of perforations that uncouple to define a slit and wherein the step of sliding the guide tube over at least one of the connector and the second electrical subsystem is performed by sliding the slit of the guide tube over the connector.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein at least a portion of the guide tube is made of a flexible material and wherein the step of sliding the guide tube over at least one of the connector and the second electrical subsystem is performed by expanding the diameter of the guide tube and sliding the guide tube over the second electrical subsystem.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the guide tube defines a slit and wherein the step of sliding the guide tube over at least one of the connector and the second electrical subsystem is performed by expanding the diameter of the guide tube and sliding the slit of the guide tube over the second electrical subsystem.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the guide tube defines a plurality of perforations that uncouple to define a slit and wherein the step of sliding the guide tube over at least one of the connector and the second electrical subsystem is performed by sliding the slit of the guide tube over the second electrical subsystem.