Implantable medical lead with collapsible fixation member
AssigneeNuvectra Corporation
InventorsMichele Spinelli, John M. Swoyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An implantable stimulation lead has electrode contacts that are configured to deliver an electrical stimulation therapy for a patient. A sheath extends along a longitudinal axis. The sheath defines a lumen into which the stimulation lead can be inserted. A distal end of the sheath includes a plurality of base segments that are separated from one another. A plurality of fixation structures are located on the base segments, respectively. In a first configuration, the fixation structures are each disposed proximate to the sheath. In a second configuration, the fixation structures each extend radially outward from the sheath. In a third configuration, the base segments deflect radially inward toward the longitudinal axis.
Claims20
A device, comprising:
- a sheath extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the sheath defines a lumen into which a stimulation lead can be inserted, and wherein a distal end of the sheath includes a plurality of base segments that are separated from one another;
- and
- a plurality of fixation structures that are each located on a respective one of the base segments;
- wherein:
- in a first configuration, the fixation structures are each disposed proximate to the sheath;
- in a second configuration, the fixation structures each extend radially outward from the sheath;
- and
- in a third configuration, the base segments deflect radially inward toward the longitudinal axis;
- the sheath is circumferentially surrounded by a tubular introducer in the first configuration;
- the stimulation lead is inserted into the lumen in the distal end of the sheath in the second configuration;
- and
- no stimulation lead is inserted into the lumen in the distal end of the sheath in the third configuration.
A system, comprising:
- an implantable stimulation lead having electrode contacts that are configured to deliver an electrical stimulation therapy for a patient;
- a sheath extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the sheath defines a lumen into which the stimulation lead can be inserted, and wherein a distal end of the sheath includes a plurality of base segments that are separated from one another;
- a plurality of fixation structures that are each located on a respective one of the base segments;
- and
- a tubular introducer;
- wherein:
- in a first configuration, the fixation structures are each disposed proximate to the sheath;
- in a second configuration, the fixation structures each extend radially outward from the sheath;
- and
- in a third configuration, the base segments deflect radially inward toward the longitudinal axis;
- the sheath is circumferentially surrounded by the tubular introducer in the first configuration;
- the stimulation lead is inserted into the lumen in the distal end of the sheath in the second configuration;
- and
- no stimulation lead is inserted into the lumen in the distal end of the sheath in the third configuration.
A method, comprising:
- inserting a stimulation lead into a sheath along a longitudinal axis, wherein a distal end of the sheath includes a plurality of base segments that are separated from one another, and wherein a plurality of fixation structures that are each located on a respective one of the base segments;
- causing the fixation structures to assume a first configuration, in which the fixation structures are each disposed proximate to the sheath, wherein the sheath is circumferentially surrounded by a tubular introducer in the first configuration;
- causing the fixation structures to assume a second configuration, in which the fixation structures each extend radially outward from the sheath, wherein the stimulation lead is inserted into a lumen in the distal end of the sheath in the second configuration;
- and
- causing the fixation structures to assume a third configuration, in which the base segments deflect radially inward toward the longitudinal axis, wherein no stimulation lead is inserted into the lumen in the distal end of the sheath in the third configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.