Integrated delivery and visualization tool for a neuromodulation system
AssigneeAutonomic Technologies, Inc.
InventorsBenjamin David Pless, Carl Lance Boling, Anthony Caparso
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for delivering a neurostimulator to a target tissue are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is a delivery tool comprising a handle portion, an elongate shaft comprising a contoured distal portion, a visualization system embedded in the elongate shaft, and an insertion groove on the elongate shaft configured to deploy the neurostimulator. The contoured distal portion can be shaped and configured to maintain contact with a posterior maxilla and elevate a periosteum off of the posterior maxilla to avoid soft tissue dissection. In some embodiments, the neurostimulator is implanted in close proximity to or touching the sphenopalatine ganglion.
Claims12
A method of delivering a neurostimulator to within close proximity of a sphenopalatine ganglion, comprising:
- making an incision over an anterior maxilla;
- inserting a delivery tool having an integrated visualization system into the incision;
- visualizing tissue near a distal portion of the delivery tool with the visualization system;
- advancing the delivery tool sub-periosteally at a lateral edge of a zygomaticomaxillary buttress region towards a pterygopalatine fossa;
- and
- delivering the neurostimulator in close proximity to the sphenopalatine ganglion.
A method of treating a neurological disorder, comprising:
- making an incision over an anterior maxilla;
- inserting a delivery tool having an integrated visualization system into the incision;
- visualizing tissue near a distal portion of the delivery tool with the visualization system;
- advancing the delivery tool sub-periosteally at a lateral edge of the zygomaticomaxillary buttress region towards the pterygopalatine fossa;
- delivering the neurostimulator in close proximity to the sphenopalatine ganglion;
- and
- applying an electrical current from the neurostimulator to the sphenopalatine ganglion to treat the neurological disorder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.