Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080269716 | MEDICAL DEVICE IMPLANTATION - The disclosure is directed to a method for implanting a medical device proximate to a target tissue site within an occipital region of a patient, such as proximate to an occipital nerve or a trigeminal nerve. The method comprises introducing an implant tool into a patient to define an insertion path to the target tissue site. The implant tool includes a shape memory cannula and a malleable needle at least partially disposed within an inner lumen of the cannula. The shape of the needle may be changed to accommodate different anatomical structures/features of the patient. Upon withdrawal of the needle from the cannula, the cannula may change shape, thereby changing the shape of the insertion path. | 10-30-2008 |
20080269740 | CANNULA CONFIGURED TO DELIVER TEST STIMULATION - The disclosure is directed to an implant tool and cannula used to facilitate the implantation of a medical device into a patient. The implant tool includes a housing that is held by a user and a needle attached to the housing. The cannula may be positioned over the needle and delivered to a target tissue within the patient. The cannula includes an electrode at a distal portion to deliver test stimulation to confirm the location of the target site or placement of the implant tool relative to the target site before removing the needle of the implant tool. In this manner, the cannula may be repositioned within the patient until the position of the implant tool and cannula relative to the target site is verified with the test stimulation. | 10-30-2008 |
20080269763 | IMPLANT TOOL TO FACILITATE MEDICAL DEVICE IMPLANTATION - The disclosure is directed to an implant tool used to facilitate the implantation of a medical device into a patient. The implant tool includes a housing that is held by a user and a needle attached to the housing. The needle is configured so that a cannula may be positioned over the needle and delivered to the target tissue. The implant tool also includes a release mechanism that pushes the cannula off of the needle. The release mechanism may help the user to keep the cannula at the desired location while removing the needle from the cannula. The implant tool may also include a flange that extends from the housing adjacent to a side of the needle such that the user may provide force against the needle during advancement of the needle into the patient. | 10-30-2008 |
20080300491 | PERCUTANEOUS NEEDLE GUIDE AND METHODS OF USE - An indicator element of a percutaneous needle guide for a medical scanning device includes a pointer for pointing to a percutaneous needle entry site on an epidermis of a body, when the guide is attached to the device and the device is positioned over the epidermis for scanning. A user may orient and insert a needle into the entry site according to the direction of the pointer, by just viewing the pointer, without the needle being constrained by the pointer. The guide may include an adjustment mechanism for moving the indicator element with respect to the device, when the guide is attached to the device; the adjustment mechanism moves the indicator element, without changing an orientation of the pointer, in a direction approximately parallel to a plane that is approximately tangent with an apex of the device transducer surface and approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device. | 12-04-2008 |
20090276024 | SELF EXPANDING ELECTRODE CUFF - An expandable electrode cuff of an implantable stimulation system that includes a base member, a first flange member extending from a proximal end along a first side wall of the base member to a first distal end, and a second flange member extending from a proximal end along a second side wall of the base member to a second distal end. The first flange member extends over both a top wall of the base member and the second flange member, and the second flange member extends over the top wall to form a lumen. The electrode cuff is capable of being advanced between a first position corresponding to both flange members extending over the top wall, a second position corresponding to the first flange member not extending over the top wall and the second flange member extending over the top wall, and a third position corresponding to both of the flange members not extending over the top wall. | 11-05-2009 |
20100262158 | TRANSOBTURATOR LEAD IMPLANTATION FOR PELVIC FLOOR STIMULATION - The disclosure is directed to a method and tool for implanting a stimulation lead or other medical device adjacent a pudendal nerve. The tool includes a shaped needle that enters a patient and passes through an obturator foramen passage in a pelvis. A physician places a tip of the tool at the pudendal nerve and performs test stimulation to confirm an effective stimulation location. A shape memory cannula initially covering the needle remains at the pudendal nerve when the physician removes the tool. The cannula deforms to follow the curve of the pudendal nerve once the needle is removed, and a lead is inserted into the cannula and secured at the pudendal nerve placement site. This method may provide an easier and more consistent procedure for implanting the stimulation lead near the pudendal nerve. | 10-14-2010 |
20110147046 | SELF EXPANDING ELECTRODE CUFF - An electrode lead assembly is described. The lead assembly includes an expandable cuff electrode that includes a series of spaced apart electrode elements and a substantially re-closable opening. | 06-23-2011 |
20110160827 | ELECTRODE LEAD SYSTEM - An electrode lead assembly includes a cuff electrode, a first lead portion and an anchor with the first lead portion having a length and a shape configured to provide strain relief on a nerve, on the cuff electrode, or on the first lead portion. | 06-30-2011 |
20110202067 | INTRODUCER FOR LEAD DELIVERY - Devices and methods for implanting leads along a spinal cord include an introducer having a main body defining a lumen and one or more collapsible and expandable side sheaths attached to the main body. The side sheaths may be collapsed as the introducer is positioned in a desired location of a patient to maintain a low profile. Once the introducer is placed, the side sheaths may be expanded to receive a lead. A lead may also be inserted through a lumen of the main body. Once the leads are inserted, the introducer may be withdrawn over the leads, leaving the leads implanted in the desired region in a desired orientation. | 08-18-2011 |
20110202097 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTRICALLY PROBING AND PROVIDING MEDICAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION - A system for providing medical electrical stimulation including a lead assembly and a cannula. The lead assembly includes a lead body and a needle tip. The lead body has a distal section and a proximal section. The needle tip is formed of an electrically conductive material and is connected to the distal section of the lead body. The lead body is slidably disposed within a cannula lumen, with a distal end of the cannula being selectively connected to an abutment surface of the needle tip such that the needle tip extends distal the cannula to define a needle probe. With this construction, the lead assembly can be delivered to a desired implantation site via manipulation of the cannula and/or energization of the needle tip, and the cannula can be removed from the lead body without requiring movement of the needle tip. | 08-18-2011 |
20110237954 | PERCUTANEOUS NEEDLE GUIDE AND METHODS OF USE - An indicator element of a percutaneous needle guide for a medical scanning device includes a pointer for pointing to a percutaneous needle entry site on an epidermis of a body, when the guide is attached to the device and the device is positioned over the epidermis for scanning. A user may orient and insert a needle into the entry site according to the direction of the pointer, by just viewing the pointer, without the needle being constrained by the pointer. The guide may include an adjustment mechanism for moving the indicator element with respect to the device, when the guide is attached to the device; the adjustment mechanism moves the indicator element, without changing an orientation of the pointer, in a direction approximately parallel to a plane that is approximately tangent with an apex of the device transducer surface and approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device. | 09-29-2011 |
20120010680 | CONDITIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION - In general, the disclosure describes techniques for providing conditional electrical stimulation to a patient for pelvic health. An implantable medical device (IMD) may adjust the delivery cycle of the electrical stimulation applied to a patient in response to receiving a delivery cycle parameter associated with one or more of the following: a time in a time schedule, a control device output from a control device, and physiological information from a physiological information sensing device. As an example, the IMD may monitor a status of one or more inputs of the IMD and adjust the delivery cycle of the electrical stimulation applied to the patient based on the status of the input(s). | 01-12-2012 |
20120136413 | PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE TRAINING - Electrical stimulation is delivered to a patient based on input from a patient indicative of an intent of the patient to contract a pelvic floor muscle or an attempt by the patient to contract the pelvic floor muscle. The electrical stimulation is configured to induce a contraction of the pelvic floor muscle of the patient to strengthen the pelvic floor muscle. | 05-31-2012 |
20120203308 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION LEAD FIXATION METHOD AND APPARATUS - An implantable medical electrical lead for electrical stimulation of body tissue that includes at least one shape memory polymer portion that has a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the second configuration is obtained upon exposure of the shape memory polymer portion to a transition stimulus, and wherein the second configuration of the modifiable portion exhibits a greater resistance to movement of the lead within the body tissue than does the first configuration; and at least one electrode configured to provide electrical stimulation of body tissue, wherein the lead has a proximal end and a distal end. Systems and kits as well as methods of utilizing the leads of the invention are also included. | 08-09-2012 |
20120323254 | MEDICAL ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF MULTIPLE MEDICAL LEADS THROUGH A SINGLE ENTRY - Assemblies and methods provide for implantation of multiple medical leads to a defined space within the body, such as the epidural space, through a single entry. A catheter having multiple lumens or alternatively a single oblong lumen may be used. A distal end of the catheter enters the defined space through the single entry such that the distal ends of the multiple lumens or the oblong lumen are present in the defined space. Medical leads are introduced through the multiple lumens or the oblong lumen into the defined space. In some cases, the distal end of the catheter may be deflectable to direct the medical leads within the defined space. In other cases, sheaths may be present within each lumen of the catheter where the sheaths may be extended into the defined space and deflect to direct the medical leads that are being passed through a lumen of the sheaths. | 12-20-2012 |
20130103049 | Methods, Tools, and Assemblies for Implantation of Medical Leads Having Distal Tip Anchors - Medical leads include distal tip anchors that are retained by fixation mechanisms of implantation tools. The fixation mechanism may include a fixed body that has features retaining the distal tip anchor. The fixation mechanism may include a movable body that can apply tension to the distal tip anchor to force the distal tip anchor to be released from the features of the fixed body. The movable body may include an axial portion that is received by an axial hole of the fixed body to allow for axial movement of the movable body to release the distal tip anchor. The fixation mechanism may instead include an elongated flexible body that passes through the distal tip anchor and is attached to the fixed body. Tension applied to the elongated body creates a releasing motion of the distal tip anchor to free the distal tip anchor from the features of the fixed body. | 04-25-2013 |
20130110201 | Medical Devices for Trial Stimulation | 05-02-2013 |
20130123895 | SELF EXPANDING ELECTRODE CUFF - An expandable electrode cuff includes a first flange member, a second flange member, and a third flange member, which together provide a variable-sized lumen about a nerve. | 05-16-2013 |
20130282089 | Medical Leads Having a Distal Body and an Openly Coiled Filar - Medical leads have one or more openly coiled filars and a distal body coupled to the openly coiled filars. The openly coiled filars provide a lead with compliance and elasticity while the distal body provides the firmness needed for placement and support of the electrodes. The openly coiled filars transition to a linear distal portion that extends to the distal body, and the distal body has proximal tines that fold proximally to a collapsed state. The linear distal portions of the filars pass through the tines when entering the distal body. Placing tension on the linear distal portions causes the tines to be rotated proximally to the collapsed state. Such tension may be created by a stylet pressing distally against the distal body during implantation. Such tension may also be created by applying a force in the proximal direction to the coiled filars during explantation. | 10-24-2013 |
20140155859 | MEDICAL DEVICE ANCHORING APPARATUS AND METHODS - Methods and apparatus for anchoring an implanted elongate medical device in a body portal, for example, a stimulation lead in a cranial burr hole, employ a securing element attached to an upper surface of a plate member, and moveable relative thereto, from an open position, at which the device may be inserted into a slot of the plate member, and a closed position, at which an engagement surface of the securing element anchors the inserted device. The securing element may extend at angle, with respect to a plane of the plate member, in the open position, and rotating the securing element lifts the engagement surface into the closed position. A locking member preferably extends from an upper surface of the plate member, and, when a latching portion of the securing element moves into engagement with the locking member, the element is moved into the closed position and secured thereat. | 06-05-2014 |
20140155860 | MEDICAL DEVICE ANCHORING APPARATUS AND METHODS - Methods and apparatus for anchoring an elongate medical device within a body portal, for example, a stimulation lead in a cranial burr hole, employ opposing engagement surfaces, spring biased toward one another. A retaining member may be inserted between the opposing surfaces, to hold the surfaces apart for initial positioning of the device therebetween. For example, a delivery catheter in which the device is moved through the body portal can serve as the retaining member. In one type of apparatus, the engagement surfaces are formed within an anchoring aperture of one plate member of a pair of plate members. In another type of apparatus, the engagement surfaces are formed by sides of a slot that extend through a ring member and into a plug member, wherein a portion of the plug member is preferably formed by an elastomer material, and, in some cases, an entirety of the apparatus. | 06-05-2014 |
20140155909 | MEDICAL DEVICE ANCHORING APPARATUS AND METHODS - Methods and apparatus for anchoring an elongate medical device within a body portal, for example, a stimulation lead in a cranial burr hole, employ a securing element attached to a plate member, which may be held over a body portal by a base ring. The securing element includes a spring member and an engagement surface; a retaining member holds the engagement surface, spaced apart from a side of a slot of the plate member, in an open position, against a bias of the spring member. In the open position, the device may be received between the engagement surface and the side of the slot, through an opening of the slot. Disengaging the retaining member releases a moveable portion of the spring member to move the engagement surface toward the side of the slot and into a closed position, at which the inserted device is anchored. The anchored device may be routed through one of a plurality of base ring channels. | 06-05-2014 |
20140163579 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE IMPLANTABLE NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEM - A medical device system for delivering a neuromodulation therapy includes a delivery tool for deploying an implantable medical device at a neuromodulation therapy site. The implantable medical device includes a housing, an electronic circuit within the housing, and an electrical lead comprising a lead body extending between a proximal end coupled to the housing and a distal end extending away from the housing and at least one electrode carried by the lead body. The delivery tool includes a first cavity for receiving the housing and a second cavity for receiving the lead. The first cavity and the second cavity are in direct communication for receiving and deploying the housing and the lead coupled to the housing concomitantly as a single unit. | 06-12-2014 |
20140163580 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE IMPLANTABLE NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEM - A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes. | 06-12-2014 |
20140163645 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE IMPLANTABLE NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEM - Various embodiments of a minimally invasive implantable medical device (IMD) system are described. In one embodiment, the implantable medical device system includes an external device for transmitting a communication signal and an implantable device for receiving the communication signal by inductive coupling. The implantable device is configured to harvest power from the inductively coupled communication signal and power a signal generator from the harvested power to generate a therapeutic electrical stimulation signal. | 06-12-2014 |
20140163646 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE IMPLANTABLE NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEM - An implantable medical device (IMD) has a housing enclosing an electronic circuit. The housing includes a first housing portion, a second housing portion and a joint coupling the first housing portion to the second housing portion. A polymer enclosure member surrounds the joint and circumscribes the housing in various embodiments. Other embodiments of an IMD housing are disclosed. | 06-12-2014 |
20150080736 | PERCUTANEOUS NEEDLE GUIDE AND METHODS OF USE - An indicator element of a percutaneous needle guide for a medical scanning device includes a pointer for pointing to a percutaneous needle entry site on an epidermis of a body, when the guide is attached to the device and the device is positioned over the epidermis for scanning A user may orient and insert a needle into the entry site according to the direction of the pointer, by just viewing the pointer, without the needle being constrained by the pointer. The guide may include an adjustment mechanism for moving the indicator element with respect to the device, when the guide is attached to the device; the adjustment mechanism moves the indicator element, without changing an orientation of the pointer, in a direction approximately parallel to a plane that is approximately tangent with an apex of the device transducer surface and approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device. | 03-19-2015 |