Medical tunneling device and method
AssigneeMedtronic, Inc.
InventorsPaul S. Kratoska, Robert L. Olson, Bruce A. Behymer, Alan O. Fung
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Abstract
A medical device assembly includes a tunneler having a proximal end and a distal end and a carrier element fixed to the distal end of the tunneler. In various embodiments the carrier element is configured to be slidably disposed within a lead connection lumen. In various embodiments the carrier element includes a plurality of recesses configured to engage a lead extension set screw. In various embodiments the carrier element can freely rotate relative to the rest of the tunneler.
Claims6
A method for implanting a lead extension having a lead connection lumen in a subcutaneous tunnel comprising:
- passing a tunneler from a first opening to a second opening in a patient, a subcutaneous tunnel being made by the passing of the tunneler;
- disposing a distal end carrier portion of the tunneler into the lead connection lumen of the elongated lead element, the elongated lead element;
- fixing the lead extension to the distal end carrier portion with a fixation mechanism;
- pulling the tunneler and attached lead extension from the second opening to the first opening in the subcutaneous tunnel so that the lead extension extends between the second opening and the first opening;
- unfixing the lead extension from the distal end carrier portion with the fixation mechanism;
- removing the distal end carrier portion from the lead connection lumen;
- and
- connecting a lead to the lead extension by inserting a proximal end of the lead into the lead connection lumen and securing the lead to the lead extension with the fixation mechanism, the connecting of the lead to the lead extension completing at least one electrical connection between one or more electrical conductors of the lead extension and one or more electrodes on the distal end of the lead.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.