Anchor assembly for use in occipital nerve stimulation

#The present disclosure relates to implantable medical devices; more particularly to an anchor assembly for occipital nerve stimulation.

#Headaches, such as migraines, and occipital neuralgia are often incapacitating and may lead to significant consumption of drugs to treat the symptoms. However, a rather large number of people are unresponsive to drug treatment, leaving them to wait out the episode or to resort to coping mechanisms. For refractive occipital neuralgia, nerve ablation or separation may effectively treat the pain.

#Occipital nerve stimulation may serve as an alternative for treatment of migraines or occipital neuralgia. For example, a dual channel implantable electrical generator may be implanted subcutaneously in a patient. A distal portion of first and second leads may be implanted in proximity to a left and right occipital nerve such that one or more electrode of the leads are in electrical communication with the occipital nerves. The proximal portions of the leads may then be connected to the signal generator such that electrical signals can be delivered from the signal generator to the electrodes to apply therapeutic signals to the occipital nerves Alternatively, two single channel implantable electrical generators may be employed, where the first lead is connected to one signal generator and the second lead is connected to the second signal generator.

#FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing the left and right occipital nerves of a subject.

#FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing leads implanted in a subject and positioned to apply an electrical signal to left and right occipital nerves.

#FIG. 2A is a schematic view of an embodiment of a system disclosed herein that includes a lead and an anchor assembly.

#The drawings are not necessarily to scale. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components, steps and the like. However, it will be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number. In addition, the use of different numbers to refer to components is not intended to indicate that the different numbered components cannot be the same or similar.

#In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration several specific embodiments of devices, systems and methods. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

#All scientific and technical terms used heroin have meanings commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein and are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure.