US 2009/0157091 A1Published application

Apparatus for Implanting Neural Stimulation Leads

AssigneeAMS Research Corporation

InventorJohn Jason Buysman

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Abstract

Minimally invasive surgical instruments and procedures introducing neural stimulation leads comprise an inner member and an outer member and provide for a convenient coupling of an external stimulator lead at the inner member handle for application of test stimuli to nerves and tissue proximate the distal end of the inner member. A conductive inner member shaft proximal end extends into or proximally through the non-conductive handle and is configured to provide an inner member connector within or extending proximally to the handle for connection with a test stimulator. The inner member shaft is electrically conductive to conduct such test stimuli to nerves and tissue proximate the exposed shaft distal end. The outer member is preferably non-conductive and may thereby electrically insulate the shaft body proximal to the exposed shaft distal end. Ergonomically shaped inner member handles, caps, and inner member-outer member interlocking mechanisms are disclosed.

An introducer (10;

110;
210;
310;
410;
510;
610;
710;
810;
910;
1010) adapted to be gripped to form a tissue pathway from a skin incision to a stimulation site (60) in a patient's body and to facilitate advancement of an electrical medical lead through the pathway comprising:
an elongated outer member (30;
130;
230;
330;
430;
530;
630;
730;
830;
930;
1030) having an elongated sheath (36;
136;
236;
336;
436;
536;
636;
736;
836;
936;
1036) enclosing a sheath lumen (40;
140;
240;
340;
440;
540;
640;
740;
940;
940;
1040) extending between an outer member proximal end (34;
134;
234;
334;
434;
534;
634;
734;
834;
934;
1034) and an outer member distal end (32;
132;
232;
332;
432;
532;
632;
732;
832;
932;
1032);
an elongated inner member (12;
112;
212;
312;
412;
512;
612;
712;
812;
912;
1012, 1012′) comprising a proximal inner member handle (14;
114;
214;
314;
414;
514;
614;
714;
814;
914;
1014, 1014′) having gripping surfaces that are non-conductive and adapted to be gripped in use of the introducer and an electrically conductive elongated shaft (16;
116;
216;
316;
416;
516;
616;
716;
816;
916;
1016) extending proximally into the handle from a handle distal end (160;
260;
360;
460;
560;
1060), the shaft extending between a shaft proximal end (20;
120;
220;
320;
420;
520;
620;
720;
720′ 820;
920;
1020) and a shaft distal end (18;
118;
218;
318;
418;
518;
618;
718;
818;
918;
1018) and sized to fit through the sheath lumen to extend the shaft distal end distally from the sheath distal end to thereby expose the shaft distal end and to enable advancement of the shaft and sheath through a tissue pathway by manipulation of the handle gripping surfaces outside the patient's body;
and characterized by:
an electrical connector (22;
122;
222;
322;
422;
522;
622;
722;
822;
922;
1022) coupled to the shaft proximal end or comprising a section of the elongated shaft and supported by the handle proximal to the handle distal end, the electrical connector adapted to be coupled to an external test stimulator (50) operable to generate test stimuli conducted through the electrically conductive shaft and applied to nerves and tissue proximate the exposed shaft distal end.

126 more elements

Abstract

Claims20