Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100174339 | METHOD OF USING SPINAL CORD STIMULATION TO TREAT GASTROINTESTINAL AND/OR EATING DISORDERS OR CONDITIONS - The present invention involves a method and a system for using electrical stimulation to treat gastrointestinal and/or eating disorders. More particularly, the method comprises surgically implanting an electrical stimulation lead that is in communication with predetermined thoracic vertebral segments to cause spinal nervous tissue stimulation, thus treating a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders. | 07-08-2010 |
20100179509 | INTRATHECAL CATHETER HAVING A STYLET WITH A CURVED TIP AND METHOD OF USE - An apparatus includes a catheter for an intrathecal drug delivery system and a stylet having a curved forward end. Preferably, the curved forward end has a shape in the form of a “J” or a “C.” Also preferably, the catheter has a distal end that conforms to the curved forward end of the stylet. Thus, the present invention provides a catheter having a blunt forward end that minimizes the risk of penetrating the substance of the spinal cord. Additionally, the curved forward end of the stylet can be formed of a springy material so that it straightens out during the processes of insertion through a guide needle and retraction from the needle. | 07-15-2010 |
20110319824 | INTRATHECAL CATHETER HAVING A STYLET WITH A CURVED TIP - An apparatus includes a catheter for an intrathecal drug delivery system and a stylet having a curved forward end. Preferably, the curved forward end has a shape in the form of a “J” or a “C.” Also preferably, the catheter has a distal end that conforms to the curved forward end of the stylet. Thus, the present invention provides a catheter having a blunt forward end that minimizes the risk of penetrating the substance of the spinal cord. Additionally, the curved forward end of the stylet can be formed of a springy material so that it straightens out during the processes of insertion through a guide needle and retraction from the needle. | 12-29-2011 |
20120029467 | METHOD OF IMPLANTING A SPINAL CORD STIMULATOR LEAD FOR NEUROSTIMULATION HAVING A FLUID-DELIVERY LUMEN AND/OR A DISTENSIBLE BALLOON - A method of implanting a spinal cord stimulator lead in the epidural space of a human or animal subject. The method includes expanding a distensible balloon, which is positioned around a distal end of the shaft and in fluid communication with a lumen, to clear a tissue obstruction during the implantation. Preferably, the balloon expands radially outwardly from at least a portion of the shaft's distal end. The method can also include discharging a pressurized fluid, axially through a lumen in the spinal cord stimulator lead, directly to a tissue obstruction during the implantation. | 02-02-2012 |
20120259380 | METHOD OF USING SPINAL CORD STIMULATION TO TREAT GASTROINTESTINAL AND/OR EATING DISORDERS OR CONDITIONS - The present invention involves a method and a system for using electrical stimulation to treat gastrointestinal and/or eating disorders. More particularly, the method comprises surgically implanting an electrical stimulation lead that is in communication with predetermined thoracic vertebral segments to cause spinal nervous tissue stimulation, thus treating a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders. | 10-11-2012 |
20140288575 | METHOD OF IMPLANTING A SPINAL CORD STIMULATOR LEAD HAVING MULTIPLE OBSTRUCTION-CLEARING FEATURES - A method of implanting a spinal cord stimulator lead in the epidural space of a human or animal subject. The method includes discharging a first pressurized fluid through a first lumen in the stimulator lead directly onto a tissue obstruction to form a partial/pilot or full/final opening in the tissue obstruction. If a full opening was not formed sufficient for passage of the stimulator lead, the method further includes inserting a distal-end portion of the stimulator lead into the partial opening and then delivering a second pressurized fluid through a second lumen in the spinal cord stimulator lead and into a balloon for expanding a distensible balloon to clear the tissue obstruction sufficient for passage of the stimulator lead. The method further comprising advancing the stimulator lead past the cleared tissue obstruction and into place for use to deliver therapeutic energy to spinal tissue adjacent the contacts. | 09-25-2014 |
20150025442 | SPINAL CORD STIMULATOR LEAD HAVING MULTIPLE OBSTRUCTION-CLEARING FEATURES - A spinal cord stimulator lead for implanting into the epidural space of a human or animal subject includes first and second lumens and electrical contacts. A pressurized fluid can be discharged through the first lumen directly onto a tissue obstruction to form a partial/pilot or full/final opening in the tissue obstruction. If a full opening was not formed sufficient for passage of the stimulator lead, the distal-end portion of the stimulator lead can be inserted into the partial opening and then a pressurized fluid can be delivered through the second lumen and into a distensible balloon for expanding the balloon to clear the tissue obstruction sufficient for passage of the stimulator lead. In this way the stimulator lead can be advanced past a tissue obstruction and into place for use to deliver therapeutic energy to spinal tissue adjacent the contacts, without having to remove and reinsert multiple surgical implements. | 01-22-2015 |
20150272610 | SPINAL CATHETER HAVING MULTIPLE OBSTRUCTION-CLEARING FEATURES - A spinal catheter for insertion into the epidural space of a human or animal subject includes first and second lumens. A pressurized fluid can be discharged through the first lumen directly onto a tissue obstruction to form a partial/pilot or full/final opening in the tissue obstruction. If a full opening was not formed sufficient for passage of the stimulator lead, the distal-end portion of the stimulator lead can be inserted into the partial opening and then a pressurized fluid can be delivered through the second lumen and into a distensible balloon for expanding the balloon to clear the tissue obstruction sufficient for passage of the stimulator lead. In this way the catheter can be advanced past a tissue obstruction and into place for use within the epidural space, without having to remove and reinsert multiple surgical implements. | 10-01-2015 |