Insertion needle for use with implantable, expandable, multicontact electrodes
US6658302B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/0558
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An insertion needle facilitates the implantation of an electrode array carried on a flexible, foldable or compressible, subcarrier or substrate. Such subcarrier or substrate folds or compresses during implantation, thereby facilitating its insertion using the insertion needle. Once implanted, such subcarrier or substrate expands, thereby placing the electrodes in a desired spaced-apart positional relationship, and thus achieving a desired electrode array configuration. The insertion needle has a lumen with a non-circular cross-sectional shape, e.g., having a width greater than its height, to facilitate sliding the folded or compressed paddle-type electrode array therein, and further includes a longitudinal slit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.