Patent ID: 8751016
Filing Date: 2014-06-10
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A nerve stimulation lead with a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length, the nerve stimulation lead comprising: a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end; a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end; a plurality of conductive wires electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals; a deployment element selected from a pullable string, wire, or stylet, wherein the deployment element disposed within, or is insertable into, the lead; and at least one anchoring unit disposed on the nerve stimulation lead and coupled to, or coupleable to, the deployment element, the at least one anchoring unit configured and arranged for anchoring the nerve stimulation lead against a bony structure or against soft tissue abutting a bony structure, wherein each of the at least one anchoring units is configured and arranged to transition between an undeployed position and a deployed position, the undeployed position facilitating positioning of the nerve stimulation lead and the deployed position facilitating anchoring the nerve stimulation lead, wherein the lead is configured and arranged for operating the deployment element, when coupled to the at least one anchoring unit, to directly produce a transition of the at least one anchoring unit from an undeployed position to a deployed position.