Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090216292 | DEVICES, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS FOR HARVESTING ENERGY IN THE BODY - In some embodiments, the power generator for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy is described may include a compressible element adapted and configured to be placed in an environment having a variable compressive force such as varying ambient pressures. The compressible element may be compressed by a force applied by the variable pressure to the compressible element. The power generator may further include a transducer that may be coupled to the compressible element and that may convert mechanical energy from the compression of the compressible element to electrical energy. In some embodiments, the power generator may be adapted to be an implantable power generator for converting mechanical energy from a patient to electrical energy, such that the compressible element adapted and configured to be placed between two adjacent tissue layers of the patient and to be compressed by a force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element. | 08-27-2009 |
20100168513 | Integrated Delivery and Visualization Tool for a Neuromodulation System - Methods and apparatus for delivering a neurostimulator to a target tissue are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is a delivery tool comprising a handle portion, an elongate shaft comprising a contoured distal portion, a visualization system embedded in the elongate shaft, and an insertion groove on the elongate shaft configured to deploy the neurostimulator. The contoured distal portion can be shaped and configured to maintain contact with a posterior maxilla and elevate a periosteum off of the posterior maxilla to avoid soft tissue dissection. In some embodiments, the neurostimulator is implanted in close proximity to or touching the sphenopalatine ganglion. | 07-01-2010 |
20100274313 | Implantable Neurostimulator with Integral Hermetic Electronic Enclosure, Circuit Substrate, Monolithic Feed-Through, Lead Assembly and Anchoring Mechanism - An implantable medical device is provided for the suppression or prevention of pain, movement disorders, epilepsy, cerebrovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, sleep disorders, autonomic disorders, abnormal metabolic states, disorders of the muscular system, and neuropsychiatric disorders in a patient. The implantable medical device can be a neurostimulator configured to be implanted on or near a cranial nerve to treat headache or other neurological disorders. One aspect of the implantable medical device is that it includes an electronics enclosure, a substrate integral to the electronics enclosure, and a monolithic feed-through integral to the electronics enclosure and the substrate. In some embodiments, the implantable medical device can include a fixation apparatus for attaching the device to a patient. | 10-28-2010 |
20110041382 | Fly-safe, fly patch - A fly-safe fly patch for containing and drying fishing flies having an outer injection molded cover, an inner injection molded telescoping capsule, and a gate when actuated provides access to an internal storage chamber within the fly patch's capsule. The fly patch is sized such that the fly patch may be actuated with a single hand, the thumb and forefingers. The fly patch is constructed such that the described means for actuating exposes a gate in the sidewall accessing the inner storage chamber and when manual compression is removed the gate in the sidewall automatically shuts providing a safe, loss free environment for the fishing flies. The fly patch is shaped to avoid entanglement with brush and other accessories used during angling as well as include a fixation apparatus for attaching the fly-patch to a fly-fishing vest or other articles during angling. | 02-24-2011 |
20120209286 | SURGICAL GUIDE AND METHOD FOR GUIDING A THERAPY DELIVERY DEVICE INTO THE PTERYGOPALATINE FOSSA - A surgical guide to facilitate delivery of a therapy delivery device into the pterygopalatine fossa of a subject includes a curvilinear body having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the distal and proximal end portions. The proximal end portion is defined by oppositely disposed first and second surfaces. The proximal end portion and the intermediate portion define a longitudinal plane that extends between the proximal and distal end portions. The distal end portion has an arcuate configuration relative to the longitudinal plane and is defined by oppositely disposed third and fourth surfaces. | 08-16-2012 |
20120277761 | SURGICAL TOOLS TO FACILITATE DELIVERY OF A NEUROSTIMULATOR INTO THE PTERYGOPALATINE FOSSA - A surgical tool configured to facilitate delivery of a neurostimulator to a craniofacial region of a subject includes a handle portion, an elongate shaft having a contoured distal portion, and an insertion groove on the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft is configured to be advanced under a zygomatic bone along a maxillary tuberosity towards a pterygopalatine fossa. The distal portion includes a distal dissecting tip. The insertion groove is configured to receive, support, and guide a medical device or instrument. | 11-01-2012 |
20120290057 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING A NEUROSTIMULATOR INTO THE PTERYGOPALATINE FOSSA - One aspect of the present disclosure includes a neurostimulator delivery apparatus. The apparatus includes a handle portion, an elongate shaft extending from the handle portion, and a distal deployment portion. The distal deployment portion is configured to releasably mate with a neurostimulator. The neurostimulator is sized and configured for implantation into a craniofacial region of a subject. | 11-15-2012 |
20130073003 | Devices, Methods, and Systems for Harvesting Energy in the Body - In some embodiments, the power generator for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy may include a compressible element adapted and configured to be placed in an environment having a variable compressive force such as varying ambient pressures. The compressible element may be compressed by a force applied by the variable pressure to the compressible element. The power generator may further include a transducer that may be coupled to the compressible element and that may convert mechanical energy from the compression of the compressible element to electrical energy. In some embodiments, the power generator may be adapted to be an implantable power generator for converting mechanical energy from a patient to electrical energy, such that the compressible element adapted and configured to be placed between two adjacent tissue layers of the patient and to be compressed by a force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element. | 03-21-2013 |
20130178701 | Integrated Delivery and Visualization Tool for a Neuromodulation System - Methods and apparatus for delivering a neurostimulator to a target tissue are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is a delivery tool comprising a handle portion, an elongate shaft comprising a contoured distal portion, a visualization system embedded in the elongate shaft, and an insertion groove on the elongate shaft configured to deploy the neurostimulator. The contoured distal portion can be shaped and configured to maintain contact with a posterior maxilla and elevate a periosteum off of the posterior maxilla to avoid soft tissue dissection. In some embodiments, the neurostimulator is implanted in close proximity to or touching the sphenopalatine ganglion. | 07-11-2013 |
20130296993 | Implantable Neurostimulator with Integral Hermetic Electronic Enclosure, Circuit Substrate, Monolithic Feed-Through, Lead Assembly and Anchoring Mechanism - An implantable medical device is provided for the suppression or prevention of pain, movement disorders, epilepsy, cerebrovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, sleep disorders, autonomic disorders, abnormal metabolic states, disorders of the muscular system, and neuropsychiatric disorders in a patient. The implantable medical device can be a neurostimulator configured to be implanted on or near a cranial nerve to treat headache or other neurological disorders. One aspect of the implantable medical device is that it includes an electronics enclosure, a substrate integral to the electronics enclosure, and a monolithic feed-through integral to the electronics enclosure and the substrate. In some embodiments, the implantable medical device can include a fixation apparatus for attaching the device to a patient. | 11-07-2013 |
20140048977 | MOLDING OF A NEUROSTIMULATOR FOR DELIVERY INTO THE PTERYGOPALATINE FOSSA - A method and apparatus for molding a medical device utilizes a rigid outer stiffener and a flexible inner mold that nests with the outer stiffener. The medical device can be a stimulating apparatus used to deliver electrical stimulation to a peripheral, central or autonomic neural structure. More specifically, the medical device can be a neurostimulator apparatus designed to delivery electrical stimulation to the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) to treat primary headaches, such as migraines, cluster headaches and/or many other neurological disorders, such as atypical facial pain and/or trigeminal neuralgias. | 02-20-2014 |
20140207220 | Implantable Neurostimulator with Integral Hermetic Electronic Enclosure, Circuit Substrate, Monolithic Feed-Through, Lead Assembly and Anchoring Mechanism - An implantable medical device is provided for the suppression or prevention of pain, movement disorders, epilepsy, cerebrovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, sleep disorders, autonomic disorders, abnormal metabolic states, disorders of the muscular system, and neuropsychiatric disorders in a patient. The implantable medical device can be a neurostimulator configured to be implanted on or near a cranial nerve to treat headache or other neurological disorders. One aspect of the implantable medical device is that it includes an electronics enclosure, a substrate integral to the electronics enclosure, and a monolithic feed-through integral to the electronics enclosure and the substrate. In some embodiments, the implantable medical device can include a fixation apparatus for attaching the device to a patient. | 07-24-2014 |
20140303436 | Integrated Delivery and Visualization Tool for a Neuromodulation System - Methods and apparatus for delivering a neurostimulator to a target tissue are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is a delivery tool comprising a handle portion, an elongate shaft comprising a contoured distal portion, a visualization system embedded in the elongate shaft, and an insertion groove on the elongate shaft configured to deploy the neurostimulator. The contoured distal portion can be shaped and configured to maintain contact with a posterior maxilla and elevate a periosteum off of the posterior maxilla to avoid soft tissue dissection. In some embodiments, the neurostimulator is implanted in close proximity to or touching the sphenopalatine ganglion. | 10-09-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090264973 | Treatment Devices with Delivery-Activated Inflatable Members, and Associated Systems and Methods for Treating the Spinal Cord and Other Tissues - Treatment systems with delivery-activated inflatable members, and associated systems and methods for treating the spinal cord and other tissues are disclosed. A treatment system in accordance with one embodiment includes a lead body having an opening, an inner surface position around the opening, and an inflatable member carried by the lead body, with at least one of the inflatable member and the lead body including a frangible portion accessible from the opening. The inflatable member can have an expandable interior volume bounded at least in part by the frangible portion. The system can further include a delivery device received in the opening of the lead body and positioned to open a passage through the frangible portions between the interior volume of the inflatable member and the opening of the lead body when the delivery device is removed from the opening of the lead body. | 10-22-2009 |
20090299444 | Percutaneous Leads with Laterally Displaceable Portions, and Associated Systems and Methods - Percutaneous leads with laterally displaceable sections, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A device in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a lead body that in turn includes first, second and third percutaneous portions. The first portion can carry an electrical contact, the second portion can be spaced apart from the first portion, and the third portion can be positioned between the first and second portions along a deployment axis. The third portion can have a stiffness in a direction transverse to the deployment axis that is less than a stiffness of both the first and second portions transverse to the deployment axis, and a diameter that is less than corresponding diameters of the first and second portions. | 12-03-2009 |
20090306750 | Lead Fixation Assembly and Methods of Using Same - A lead fixation assembly and method of using the same are disclosed. The lead fixation assembly includes a cover and a cap. The cover includes an aperture extending through a cover body and is adapted to fit within an opening formed or occurring in a patient's body. One or more leads may be oriented through the aperture before or after fitting the cover in such an opening. The cover body includes a top surface having a plurality of elements. Each lead oriented through the aperture is arranged on or in and among the elements and may be secured thereby. The cap is adapted to be removably secured to the cover, minimize exposure to the patient via the opening, and, optionally, secure the leads. The leads are passed through an opening in the cap to enable the leads to extend away from the body. | 12-10-2009 |
20090319013 | IMPLANTABLE NEURAL STIMULATION ELECTRODE ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS FOR STIMULATING SPINAL NEURAL SITES - An implantable neurostimulation electrode assembly comprises a first electrode unit and a second electrode unit configured to be arranged in a side-by-side configuration. The first electrode unit includes a dielectric first paddle, a plurality of first electrodes carried by the first paddle, and a guideline. The guideline has a distal section affixed to the first paddle and a proximal section having a length configured to extend externally of a patient. The second electrode unit has a dielectric second paddle and a plurality of second electrodes carried by the second paddle. The second paddle is configured to travel along the guideline and contact the first paddle in the side-by-side configuration. As a result, the first and second electrode units of this embodiment can be passed percutaneously through the same percutaneous entry hole and assembled in vivo at the stimulation site to form a larger paddle-type electrode array without surgical implantation. | 12-24-2009 |
20100107408 | Reinforced Sensing and Stimulation Leads and Use in Detection Systems - A reinforced medical electrical lead for neurological applications has a reinforced construction for resisting the detachment of electrodes and lead connection terminals, thereby improving the robustness of the lead and extending the life of the lead by reducing the likelihood that a further surgical procedure will be required to remove the lead for repair or replacement thereof. The present reinforced lead construction maintains the integrity of the electrical connection between the conductor and the respective electrode and lead connection terminal by incorporating several reinforcing features in the lead construction in contrast to conventional lead constructions where it is possible to pull the electrodes and lead connection terminals away from their contact points with relatively little force. | 05-06-2010 |
20100331762 | Refillable Reservoir Lead Systems - Medical electrical lead systems and related methods are described. The medical electrical lead systems may be configured to be at least partially implanted in a body of a subject. Some variations of the medical electrical lead systems may comprise a lead body comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending at least partially therebetween, at least one electrode in the proximity of the distal end of the lead body, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the lumen, where the reservoir is located at a position removed from the distal end of the lead body. Certain variations of the medical electrical lead systems may comprise a lead body comprising a proximal end and a distal end and first and second lumens extending at least partially therebetween, and at least one electrode in the proximity of the distal end of the lead body. | 12-30-2010 |
20110004282 | Drug Eluting Lead Systems - Medical electrical lead systems and related methods are described. The lead systems may be configured to be at least partially implanted in neural tissue of a subject, such as a brain of a subject. Some variations of the lead systems may comprise a lead body, an electrode connected to the lead body, and a bioactive agent. The electrode and/or lead body may comprise a substrate, and the bioactive agent may be supported by the substrate (e.g., by a substantial portion of the area of the substrate). Examples of bioactive agents that may be used in the lead system include bioactive agents that promote neural adhesion and living cells that have been biologically manipulated, engineered cells, and cells of a particular phenotype and/or adapted to induce a desired neural or glial response. Methods described herein may comprise contacting the substrate of a lead body and/or an electrode of a medical electrical lead system with at least one bioactive agent, where the lead body and the electrode are connected to each other. | 01-06-2011 |
20120109253 | Refillable Reservoir Lead Systems - Medical electrical lead systems and related methods are described. The medical electrical lead systems may be configured to be at least partially implanted in a body of a subject. Some variations of the medical electrical lead systems may comprise a lead body comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending at least partially therebetween, at least one electrode in the proximity of the distal end of the lead body, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the lumen, where the reservoir is located at a position removed from the distal end of the lead body. Certain variations of the medical electrical lead systems may comprise a lead body comprising a proximal end and a distal end and first and second lumens extending at least partially therebetween, and at least one electrode in the proximity of the distal end of the lead body. | 05-03-2012 |
20120185026 | PERCUTANEOUS LEADS WITH LATERALLY DISPLACEABLE PORTIONS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Percutaneous leads with laterally displaceable sections, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A device in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a lead body that in turn includes first, second and third percutaneous portions. The first portion can carry an electrical contact, the second portion can be spaced apart from the first portion, and the third portion can be positioned between the first and second portions along a deployment axis. The third portion can have a stiffness in a direction transverse to the deployment axis that is less than a stiffness of both the first and second portions transverse to the deployment axis, and a diameter that is less than corresponding diameters of the first and second portions. | 07-19-2012 |
20120232628 | DRUG ELUTING LEAD SYSTEMS - Medical electrical lead systems and related methods are described. The lead systems may be configured to be at least partially implanted in neural tissue of a subject, such as a brain of a subject. Some variations of the lead systems may comprise a lead body, an electrode connected to the lead body, and a bioactive agent. The electrode and/or lead body may comprise a substrate, and the bioactive agent may be supported by the substrate (e.g., by a substantial portion of the area of the substrate). Methods described herein may comprise contacting the substrate of a lead body and/or an electrode of a medical electrical lead system with at least one bioactive agent, where the lead body and the electrode are connected to each other. | 09-13-2012 |
20130144305 | TREATMENT DEVICES WITH DELIVER-ACTIVATED INFLATABLE MEMBERS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING THE SPINAL CORD AND OTHER TISSUES - The present application includes treatment systems having delivery-activated inflatable members, and associated systems and methods for treating the spinal cord and other tissues. A treatment system in accordance with one embodiment includes a lead body having an opening, an inner surface position around the opening, and an inflatable member carried by the lead body, with at least one of the inflatable member and the lead body including a frangible portion accessible from the opening. The inflatable member can have an expandable interior volume bounded at least in part by the frangible portion. The system can further include a delivery device received in the opening of the lead body and positioned to open a passage through the frangible portions between the interior volume of the inflatable member and the opening of the lead body when the delivery device is removed from the opening of the lead body. | 06-06-2013 |
20140163659 | REINFORCED SENSING AND STIMULATION LEADS AND USE IN DETECTION SYSTEMS - A reinforced medical electrical lead for neurological applications has a reinforced construction for resisting the detachment of electrodes and lead connection terminals, thereby improving the robustness of the lead and extending the life of the lead by reducing the likelihood that a further surgical procedure will be required to remove the lead for repair or replacement thereof. The present reinforced lead construction maintains the integrity of the electrical connection between the conductor and the respective electrode and lead connection terminal by incorporating several reinforcing features in the lead construction in contrast to conventional lead constructions where it is possible to pull the electrodes and lead connection terminals away from their contact points with relatively little force. | 06-12-2014 |