System and method for lead fixation
AssigneeBoston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
InventorSarvani Grandhe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A medical lead includes a pitted, grooved or threaded electrode array tip and a flexible tube or sheath encompassing the electrode array located near the lead tip. In some embodiments, the electrode array adheres to tissue, the tube or sheath adheres to the electrode array at the distal end of the electrode array or the tube or sheath adheres to tissue at the proximal end of the tube or sheath. Embodiments of the tube or sheath may be made from biodegradable material and can include electrode windows spaced along the tube or sheath corresponding to placement of electrode contacts of the electrode array.
Claims20
A method for implanting a medical lead, the method comprising:
- providing a lead having a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes disposed along a distal end of the lead;
- using an implantable sheath to encompass at least a portion of each of two or more of the electrodes, but not a distal tip of the lead;
- implanting the lead with the implantable sheath, wherein the sheath has biodegradable adhesive that contacts tissue when the sheath is implanted to adhere to the tissue;
- and
- adhering the distal tip of the lead to surrounding tissue using a tissue adhesive applied to the distal tip of the lead.
A method for implanting a medical lead, the method comprising:
- providing a lead having a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes disposed along a distal end of the lead, wherein the lead defines a lumen along a length of the lead, a first opening at the distal tip;
- and a second opening at another location on the lead;
- using an implantable sheath to encompass at least a portion of each of two or more of the electrodes, but not a distal tip of the lead;
- implanting the lead with the implantable sheath, wherein the sheath has biodegradable adhesive that contacts tissue when the sheath is implanted to adhere to the tissue;
- and
- after implanting the lead, injecting adhesive into the second opening, through the lumen, and out the first opening to adhere the lead to tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.