# US 11,110,282 B2 · Implantable electrical stimulator with deflecting tip lead > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,110,282 B2 - Document ID: US11110282B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/412,069 - Filed: 2019-05-14 - Published: 2019-09-19 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2015-11-12 - Assignees: Medtronic, Inc. - Applicants: Medtronic, Inc. - Inventors: Eric H. Bonde; John E. Kast; Erik R. Scott; Xuan K. Wei - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11110282B2 ## CPC - A61N 1/375: Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings - A61N 1/0551: {Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes} - A61N 1/3605: {Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system} - A61N 1/3787: {from an external energy source} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An implantable medical device comprising: a housing, including a channel disposed therein; a neurostimulator associated with the housing; a lead coupled to the housing, the lead including an electrode and one or more conductors coupling the electrode to the neurostimulator; an actuator coupled to the channel of the housing, the actuator configured to cause at least a portion of the lead to deflect; and a pull-wire connected to a distal portion of the 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 at least the distal portion of the lead. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The implantable medical device of claim 1, the actuator comprising: a rotatable screw; and a key, configured to translate within the channel, wherein the pull-wire is connected to the key of the actuator, and wherein the actuator is configured such that rotation of the screw causes translation of the key within the channel so as to increase or decrease tension on the pull-wire and deflect or straighten at least the distal portion of the lead. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the neurostimulator is configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the lead to provide stimulation therapy to at least one nerve. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to cause the lead to deflect from a first shape to a second shape, wherein the second shape comprises a curve of a radius R in a range of approximately 1 mm to 40 mm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein: the lead, when deflected, includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being not substantially deflected and extending substantially along a first axis and the second portion being substantially deflected and extending substantially along a second axis; the first axis and the second axis form an angle; and the angle is in a range of approximately 10 degrees to 60 degrees. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein: the lead, when deflected, includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being not substantially deflected and extending substantially along a first axis and the second portion being substantially deflected and extending substantially along a second axis, and the second portion has a length in a range of approximately 5 mm to 40 mm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the lead includes a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of fixation members. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The implantable medical device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of electrodes are arranged together in a group, and the plurality of fixation members are arranged together in a group, the group of electrodes being spaced apart from the group of fixation members. ### Claim 9 An implantable medical device comprising: a housing; a neurostimulator associated with the housing; a lead coupled to the housing, the lead including an electrode and one or more conductors coupling the electrode to the neurostimulator; an actuator operably connected to the housing, wherein operation of the actuator is configured to cause at least a portion of the lead to deflect; and a pull-wire connected to a distal portion of the 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 at least the distal portion of the lead. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The implantable medical device of claim 9, wherein the housing includes external threads, and wherein the actuator includes a knob having internal threads configured to engage with at least a portion of the external threads of the housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The implantable medical device of claim 9, the actuator further comprising: a pull ring connected to the pull-wire, wherein rotation of the knob results in translation of the pull ring and translation of the pull-wire with respect to the lead, so as to increase or decrease tension on the pull-wire and deflect or straighten at least the distal portion of the lead. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The implantable medical device of claim 9, the actuator further comprising: a locking mechanism configured to lock in place the deflection of the lead. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The implantable medical device of claim 9, wherein the neurostimulator is configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the lead to provide stimulation therapy to at least one nerve. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The implantable medical device of claim 9, wherein the actuator is configured to cause the lead to deflect from a first shape to a second shape, wherein the second shape comprises a curve of a radius R in a range of approximately 1 mm to 40 mm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The implantable medical device of claim 9, wherein: the lead, when deflected, includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being not substantially deflected and extending substantially along a first axis and the second portion being substantially deflected and extending substantially along a second axis; the first axis and the second axis form an angle; and the angle is in a range of approximately 10 degrees to 60 degrees. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The implantable medical device of claim 9, wherein: the lead, when deflected, includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being not substantially deflected and extending substantially along a first axis and the second portion being substantially deflected and extending substantially along a second axis, and the second portion has a length in a range of approximately 5 mm to 40 mm. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The implantable medical device of claim 9, wherein the lead includes a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of fixation members. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The implantable medical device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of electrodes are arranged together in a group, and the plurality of fixation members are arranged together in a group, the group of electrodes being spaced apart from the group of fixation members. ### Claim 19 A kit, comprising: an implantable neurostimulator including: a housing, including a channel disposed therein; a lead coupled to the housing, the lead including an electrode and one or more conductors coupling the electrode to the housing; and an actuator coupled to the channel of the housing, the actuator including a rotatable screw and a key, wherein the key is configured to translate within the channel, a pull-wire connected to a distal portion of the lead and connected to the key of the actuator; and a tool configured to engage the rotatable screw of the actuator, wherein the actuator is configured such that rotation of the screw causes translation of the key within the channel so as to increase or decrease tension on the pull-wire and deflect or straighten at least the distal portion of the lead.