Implantable electrical stimulator with deflecting tip lead
AssigneeMedtronic, Inc.
InventorsEric H. Bonde, John E. Kast, Erik R. Scott, Xuan K. Wei
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In some examples, an implantable medical device includes an implantable housing, a neurostimulator within the housing, a plurality of electrodes, an implantable lead coupled to the housing, and an actuator formed with the housing. The implantable lead includes at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes and one or more conductors coupling the at least one electrode to the neurostimulator. The actuator is configured to cause at least a portion of the implantable lead to deflect.
Claims28
An implantable medical device comprising:
- an implantable housing;
- a neurostimulator within the housing;
- a plurality of electrodes;
- an implantable lead coupled to the housing, the implantable lead comprising at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes and one or more conductors coupling the at least one electrode to the neurostimulator;
- an actuator formed with the housing and configured to cause at least a portion of the implantable lead to deflect;
- and
- a pull-wire connected to a distal portion of the implantable lead and connected to the actuator, wherein the actuator is configured such that movement of the actuator in a first direction increases tension on the pull-wire to cause the deflection of the at least a portion of the lead.
A method of positioning an implantable medical device within a patient, the implantable medical device comprising an implantable housing, a neurostimulator within the housing, a plurality of electrodes, an implantable lead coupled to the housing, the implantable lead comprising at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes and one or more conductors coupling the at least one electrode to the neurostimulator, and a pull-wire connected to a distal portion of the implantable lead and connected to an actuator formed at least partially within the housing, wherein the actuator is configured such that movement of the actuator in a first direction increases tension on the pull-wire to cause deflection of at least a portion of the implantable lead, and the method comprising deflecting the at least a portion of the implantable lead in response to movement of the actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.