| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 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 |
| 20110019858 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ENHANCE COMMUNICATION IN THE OPERATING ROOM - A communication system is provided for a patient featuring a cushion with an opening for receiving the face of the patient. The cushion includes a microphone for receiving audible signals from the patient and one or more speakers for delivering audible signals to the patient. The microphone and speaker(s) are integrated with the cushion to avoid interfering with the comfort of the patient. In one embodiment, the audible signals are delivered to and from the patient via a communication port. In another embodiment, the system includes a display device, so the patient may view parts of the patient's body on the device and then communicate with system operators through the microphone and speaker(s). | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110137372 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR USING SENSORS WITH A DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION SYSTEM - A system and method for applying stimulation to a target stimulation site within a patient, while avoiding undesirable eye movement side effects of the stimulation, are provided. The method includes determining whether eye movement, sensed by internal or external electrodes, is a side effect of a conveyed electrical stimulus. If the eye movement is a side effect, the electrical current distribution of the stimulus is modified in order to steer a locus of the electrical stimulus from one tissue region of the patient to another different tissue region of the patient, thereby mitigating the eye movement side effects. For example, the locus of the electrical stimulus may be steered away from the oculomotor nerve. Eye movement side effects of DBS treatment may include apraxia of lid opening, downward movement and adduction of only one eyeball, and/or continuous deviation of both eyeballs. | 06-09-2011 |
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| 20090112327 | BURR HOLE PLUG DESIGNS - A burr hole plug comprises a plug base including a flange configured for being mounted around a burr hole, an aperture through which an elongated medical device may pass, and tabs configured for extending within the cranial burr hole to center the plug base relative to the cranial burr hole. The burr hole plug further comprises a retainer configured for being mounted within the aperture of the plug base to secure the medical device. A method may comprise locating the plug base within a burr hole, such that the tabs are disposed within the burr hole to center the plug base relative to the cranial burr hole, introducing the elongated medical device through the cranial burr hole and into the brain tissue of the patient, mounting the retainer within the aperture of the plug base, and actuating the retainer to secure the medical device. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090281605 | ENGAGEMENT TOOL FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - Systems for adjusting a position of an implanted medical device within a patient include an engagement tool configured to couple to the implanted medical device. The engagement tool adjusts the position of the medical device when coupled to the implanted medical device. Methods of adjusting a position of an implanted medical device within a patient include locating the implanted medical device, coupling an engagement tool to the medical device, and adjusting a position of the engagement tool to adjust the position of the medical device. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20100076535 | LEADS WITH NON-CIRCULAR-SHAPED DISTAL ENDS FOR BRAIN STIMULATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING - A lead is configured and arranged for brain stimulation. The lead includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end includes a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end. The distal end has a non-circular transverse cross-sectional shape and includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end. A plurality of conductive wires electrically couple at least one of the plurality of electrodes to at least one of the plurality of terminals. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100145357 | BURR HOLE PLUG HAVING DUAL SLIDABLE CLAMPING MECHANISMS - A burr hole plug comprises a plug base configured for being mounted around a burr hole. The plug base includes an aperture through which an elongated medical device exiting the burr hole may pass. The burr hole plug further comprises a retainer configured for being mounted within the aperture of the plug base. The retainer further includes first and second slidable clamping mechanisms configured for securing the medical devices therebetween within the aperture of the plug base. A method comprises introducing the medical device through the burr hole, mounting a plug base around the burr hole, such that the medical device extends through the plug base aperture, mounting the retainer within the aperture of the plug base, and sliding the first and second clamping mechanisms secure the medical device therebetween. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20110066197 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING STIMULATION OF ONE OR MORE STIMULATION SITES - Methods of facilitating stimulation of a stimulation site within a patient include implanting a distal portion of a first stimulating member such that the distal portion of the first stimulating member is in communication with a first stimulation site located within a patient, securing the distal portion of the first stimulating member at a first securing site with a first securing device positioned proximal to the first stimulation site, forming a first loop of at least 360 degrees with a portion of the first stimulating member proximal to the first securing device, securing the first loop with a second securing device at a second securing site having a position that is greater than or equal to substantially 180 degrees but less than or equal to substantially 315 degrees along the first loop from the first securing site, and positioning the second securing device and a stimulator to be coupled to a proximal end of the first stimulating member to maintain a curve in the first stimulating member of at least 45 degrees between the second securing device and the stimulator. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110160797 | METHODS TO CONCURRENTLY STIMULATE DIFFERENT BRAIN TARGETS - A method for treating a patient having a dysfunction using a stimulation lead within the brain of a patient is provided. The stimulation lead carries a plurality of electrodes adjacent to a plurality of brain regions. Pulsed electrical waveforms having different sets of stimulation parameters are generated and then concurrently delivered to the plurality of electrodes, thereby concurrently stimulating the plurality of brain regions to treat the dysfunction. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20120046715 | USER INTERFACE FOR SEGMENTED NEUROSTIMULATION LEADS - An external control device for use with a neurostimulation system having a plurality of electrodes capable of conveying an electrical stimulation field into tissue in which the electrodes are implanted is provided. The external control device comprises a user interface having one or more control elements, a processor configured for generating stimulation parameters designed to modify the electrical stimulation field relative to one or more neurostimulation lead carrying the electrodes. The external control device further comprises output circuitry configured for transmitting the stimulation parameters to the neurostimulation system. | 02-23-2012 |
