TORQUE LOCK ANCHOR AND METHODS AND DEVICES USING THE ANCHOR

• US 20110178573A1
• Filed: 02/07/2011
• Published: 07/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Nguyen-Stella, Quynh, Chinn, Kenny Kinyen, Husmann, Surekha B., Barker, John Michael, Chen, Roger
• Granted Patent: US 9,352,147 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2107/00 Four or more poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/36 Conductive members located under tip of screw
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/46 Clamping area between two screws placed side by side

Abstract

A lead anchor includes a body defining a lead lumen having a first opening and a second opening through which a lead can pass. The body further defines a transverse lumen that intersects the lead lumen. An exterior member is disposed around at least a portion of the body. The exterior member is formed of a biocompatible material. A fastener anchors the lead to the body through the transverse lumen by deforming a portion of the lead. The transverse lumen is configured and arranged to receive the fastener. At least at least two suture tabs extend from the exterior member and are configured and arranged for receiving a suture to suture the lead anchor to patient tissue.

Claims

1. A lead anchor, comprising:

a body defining a lead lumen having a first opening and a second opening through which a lead can pass, the body further defining a transverse lumen that intersects the lead lumen;

an exterior member disposed around at least a portion of the body, the exterior member being formed of a biocompatible material;

a fastener for anchoring the lead to the body through the transverse lumen by deforming a portion of the lead, wherein the transverse lumen is configured and arranged to receive the fastener; and

at least two suture tabs extending from the exterior member and configured and arranged for receiving a suture to suture the lead anchor to patient tissue.

2. The lead anchor of claim 1, wherein the at least two suture tabs comprises exactly two suture tabs.

3. The lead anchor of claim 2, wherein the two suture tabs extend from opposite sides of the exterior member.

4. The lead anchor of claim 3, wherein the two suture tabs extend from opposite sides of the exterior member in a staggered arrangement.

5. The lead anchor of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two suture tabs comprises at least one suture opening.

6. The lead anchor of claim 1, further comprising a septum for preventing the fastener from being disengaged from the body.

7. The lead anchor of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a set screw having a thread, and the transverse lumen comprises a thread complementary to the thread of the set screw.

8. The lead anchor of claim 1, wherein the lead lumen comprises ridges formed on a surface of the lumen.

9. The lead anchor of claim 1, further comprising at least one suture channel formed in the exterior member.

10. The lead anchor of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve positioned within the body to separate the lead and the fastener.

11. An implantable stimulation device, comprising:

a lead having an electrode array; and

the lead anchor of claim 1, coupleable to the lead.

12. The implantable stimulation device of claim 11, further comprising:

a control module couplable to the lead.

13. The implantable stimulation device of claim 12, wherein the implantable stimulation device is a spinal cord stimulator.

14. A method of implanting an implantable stimulation device, the method comprising:

implanting an electrode array near tissue to be stimulated;

disposing an anchor around a portion of the lead, the anchor comprising a body defining a lead lumen having a first opening and a second opening through which a lead can pass, the body further defining a transverse lumen that intersects the lead lumen, an exterior member disposed around at least a portion of the body, the exterior member being formed of a biocompatible material, a fastener for anchoring the lead to the body through the transverse lumen by deforming a portion of the lead, wherein the transverse lumen is configured and arranged to receive the fastener, and at least two suture tabs extending from the exterior member and configured and arranged for receiving a suture to suture the lead anchor to patient tissue;

tightening the fastener to secure the anchor to the lead; and

securing the anchor to the surrounding tissue using sutures and the at least two suture tabs.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising implanting a control module and coupling the electrode array to the control module using the lead.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein tightening the fastener comprises tightening the fastener onto a sleeve within the body to secure the anchor to the lead.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least two suture tabs comprises exactly two suture tabs.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the two suture tabs extend from opposite sides of the exterior member.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the two suture tabs extend from opposite sides of the exterior member in a staggered arrangement.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of securing the anchor to the surrounding tissue comprises tying a suture to at least one of the suture tabs, the suture being at least partially disposed in a suture channel of the exterior member.