Patent ID: 6356792
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
An electrode securing assembly for securing an electrode lead to a skull of a patient; comprising:a cylindrical port element for seating in a hole formed in said skull of said patient, said port element including a central channel providing communication between an interior of said skull and an exterior of said skull, at least one engaging means formed on at least one inner surface of said central channel, and at least one exterior conformation for gripping an interior surface of an opening formed in said skull of said patient; a lead locking element having an upper and lower portion, said lead locking element seating within the central channel of said port element, having at least one corresponding engaging means formed on the exterior surface thereof, said at least one engaging means of said port element and said at least one corresponding engaging means of said lead locking element for securing said lead locking element to said at least one engaging means of said port element; said lead locking element further including an axial passage for receiving therethrough an electrode lead which has a portion implanted within said patient's skull and a portion remaining external to said skull, such that said electrode may initially freely slide within said passage; said lead locking element further including a track formed in said upper portion thereof; a sliding element, mounted in said track of said lead locking element, which may be selectively translated along said track between at least two distinct positions, at least one of which partially blocks said axial passage in said lead locking element, and at least one position which does not block said axial passage; such that when said sliding element is translated into the axial passage blocking position, and when there is an electrode lead disposed in said passage it is prevented from further movement through the passage.