The present invention provides an implantable electrode device, a medical device or a medical system thereof, and a diagnostic and/or therapeutic method using the medical device or system. Particularly, an embodiment of the present invention relates to a medical system and a medical device comprising a flap-shaped implantable lead, and a method and an application thereof in nerve stimulation. Although the invention will be illustrated, explained and exemplified with an implantable lead to stimulate anterior and posterior spinal nerve components, it should be appreciated that the present invention can also be applied otherwise and/or in other fields.
Various implantable electrodes used in medical devices include cuff, percutaneous or thin-film based electrodes. Advantageously, the present invention provides a novel electrode device that can stably affixed to a biological target in a patient such as a nerve. Preferably, the novel electrode device can be, but is not limited to, an implantable lead or electrode.
One aspect of the present invention provides an implantable electrode device comprising a flexible non-conductive flap, one or more electrodes integrated with the flap, and one or more wires embedded within the flap and connected to the one or more electrodes. The implantable electrode device is configured to wrap around one, two or more biological targets, so that one of the electrodes can electrically and stably contact one of the biological targets. A center of the flap can be pulled up between two biological targets such as two nerve segments, creating two circular like electrodes around each of the two biological targets such as nerve segments.
Another aspect of the invention provides a medical device or a medical system comprising the implantable electrode device as summarized above.
Still another aspect of the invention provides a diagnostic and/or therapeutic method comprising (i) providing a medical device or a medical system as summarized above; (ii) wrapping the implantable electrode device as summarized above around one, two or more biological targets in a patient, so that one of the electrodes can electrically and stably contact one of the biological targets.
The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements. All the figures are schematic and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures and discussed below have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Well-known structures and devices are shown in simplified form, omitted, or merely suggested, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.
In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement.
Where a numerical range is disclosed herein, unless otherwise specified, such range is continuous, inclusive of both the minimum and maximum values of the range as well as every value between such minimum and maximum values. Still further, where a range refers to integers, only the integers from the minimum value to and including the maximum value of such range are included. In addition, where multiple ranges are provided to describe a feature or characteristic, such ranges can be combined.
It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. For example, when an element is referred to as being “on”, “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on”, “directly connected to”, or “directly coupled to” another element, there are no intervening elements present.
As shown in
The flap 63 may have a front side 63F and a back side 63B. One of the electrodes 64a may have only one flat contacting surface 64aF that can electrically contact one of the biological targets. The contacting surface 64aF may be on the front side of the flap 63F, or on the back side of the flap 63B. Alternatively, one of the electrodes 64b may have only two flat contacting surfaces (64bF, 64bB) that can electrically contact one of the biological targets. One of the two contacting surfaces 64bF may be on the front side of the flap 63F, and another one 64bB is on the back side of the flap 63B, and vice versa.
In preferred embodiments, the flap 63 comprises one or more suture holes 66 (typically through holes) for stitching the flap 63 around the one, two or more biological targets.
In some embodiments where the flap comprises one or more suture holes for stitching the flap around the one or more nerves, the method may further include a step (iii) stitching the flap around the one or more nerves through the one or more suture holes, as shown in
In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, an implantable lead is used to stimulate anterior and posterior spinal nerve components.
In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the invention, and what is intended by the applicant to be the scope of the invention, is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62890569 | Aug 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 18334349 | Jun 2023 | US |
Child | 18404898 | US | |
Parent | 17001571 | Aug 2020 | US |
Child | 18334349 | US |