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:
Jul. 14, 2015
Filed:
Oct. 07, 2014
Stephen T. Pyles, Ocala, FL (US);
Daniel A. Graubert, Etna, NH (US);
Stephen T. Pyles, Ocala, FL (US);
Daniel A. Graubert, Etna, NH (US);
Other;
Abstract
A spinal cord stimulator lead for implanting into the epidural space of a human or animal subject includes first and second lumens and electrical contacts. A pressurized fluid can be discharged through the first lumen directly onto a tissue obstruction to form a partial/pilot or full/final opening in the tissue obstruction. If a full opening was not formed sufficient for passage of the stimulator lead, the distal-end portion of the stimulator lead can be inserted into the partial opening and then a pressurized fluid can be delivered through the second lumen and into a distensible balloon for expanding the balloon to clear the tissue obstruction sufficient for passage of the stimulator lead. In this way the stimulator lead can be advanced past a tissue obstruction and into place for use to deliver therapeutic energy to spinal tissue adjacent the contacts, without having to remove and reinsert multiple surgical implements.