The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 23, 2001
Filed:
Jul. 15, 1999
Medical electrical stimulation system using an electrode assembly having opposing semi-circular arms
Victor P.J. Duysens, Ba Grevenbicht, NL;
Leo Kretzers, Bj Sittard, NL;
Paulus Van Venrooij, Ez Hoensbroek, NL;
Paulus A. A. Gubbels, At Brunssum, NL;
Paulus G. Adams, Er Munstergeleen, NL;
Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
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” surgical approach. Additional embodiments of the lead are also disclosed.