Tunneling Tool and Method for an Implantable Medical Lead Extension
AssigneeMedtronic, Inc.
InventorMatthew A. Aehle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tunneling tool is used to create a subcutaneous tunnel for passage of a lead extension. The lead extension is transported from a proximal incision site to a distal incision site and as a result the proximal connector of the lead extension does not pass through the subcutaneous tunnel. The tunneling tool may carry the lead extension during the tunneling procedure. The tunneling tool may include a tool body that contains the lead extension as the lead extension is being carried to the distal incision site. The tunneling tool may further include a tracker tube that is present within the tool body, and the lead extension is contained in and carried by the tracker tube.
Claims12
A method of implanting a lead extension, comprising:
- inserting a distal connector and at least a portion of a body of the lead extension into a tool body of the insertion tool;
- and
- while the distal connector and at least the portion of the body of the lead extension are positioned within the tool body, tunneling with the lead insertion tool subcutaneously to pass the distal connector from a first incision site to a second incision site.
A tunneling tool for implanting a lead extension, comprising:
- a tool body having a lumen sized to allow passage of a body and proximal and distal connectors of the lead extension;
- a handle attached to a proximal end of the tool body, the handle having a passageway that is sized to receive a portion of the body of the lead extension;
- a distal cap that is removably attached to a distal end of the tool body;
- and
- a tracker tube having a distal compartment sized to receive and carry a distal connector of the lead extension while a body of the lead extension is present within the lumen and passageway, the tracker tube being contained within the lumen of the tool body and with the distal compartment being positioned in proximity to the distal end of the tool body.
A system, comprising:
- a lead extension having a lead body, a proximal connector, and a distal connector;
- a tool body having a lumen with a portion of the body and the proximal connector being present within the tool body;
- a handle attached to a proximal end of the tool body, the handle having a passageway with a portion of the body of the lead extension being positioned in the passageway;
- a distal cap that is removably attached to a distal end of the tool body;
- and
- a tracker tube having a distal compartment where the distal connector of the lead extension is positioned while a body of the lead extension is present within the lumen and passageway, the tracker tube being contained within the lumen of the tool body and with the distal compartment being positioned in proximity to the distal end of the tool body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.