Medical electrical stimulation system using an electrode assembly having opposing semi-circular arms
US6308105A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 23, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/0556
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for providing electrical stimulation to the trigeminal nerve through a lead. The lead features a lead body, a coupling for connecting a lead into a medical stimulator and a distal electrode assembly. The electrode assembly features a pair of oppositely disposed curved semi-circular cuffs disposed to conform a lumen therethrough. The ends of each cuff are mounted into a resilient hinge disposed upon the distal end of the lead body. The hinge biases the cuffs towards one another in such a manner that the lumen is maintained patent such that the nerve will remain therein. The hinge is further designed so as to be easily opened so as to spread the cuffs apart. Hinge opening is accomplished through a specialized implant tool, the implant tool being a generally cylindrical tube designed to meet about the lead body. A divergence in the lead body near the hinge permits the implant tool to engage the lead body in that section and thus forces the cuffs apart. In such a manner the cuffs may be opened so as to be implanted around the lead merely through manipulation of the proximal end of the lead body. Thus, this design permits the leads to be implanted using the so-called "key-hole"…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.