Patent ID: 9192759
Filing Date: 2015-11-24
Classification: A61B,A61M,A61N

Abstract:
1. A method of stabilizing electrical stimulators implanted within the epidural space of a patient's spinal column, said method comprising the steps of: accessing the patients epidural space at the lumbar region of the patient to create a first access point; accessing the user's epidural space at the thoracic region of the patient to create a second access point, wherein the epidural space is accessed at the thoracic region using a drill assembly comprising a cannula, a drill, and an incremental drill adjuster; inserting a guide wire assembly through the second access point and into the epidural space at the thoracic region of the patient, wherein the guide wire assembly has proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal end of the guide wire assembly is an end closest to the patient when the guide wire assembly is inserted through the second access point, and the distal end of the guide wire assembly is opposite the proximal end and closest to a surgeon when the guide wire assembly is inserted through the second access point, wherein the guide wire assembly includes a hollowed guide wire sleeve presenting a guide wire sleeve lumen and a guide wire inserted through the guide wire sleeve lumen, wherein a magnet is provided on the distal end of the guide wire assembly; inserting a guide wire receiver into the first access point at the lumbar region of the patient, wherein the guide wire receiver comprises a handle and an elongated shaft, wherein the shaft has a handle end coupled to the handle and a receiving end opposite the handle end, wherein a scoop is presented at the receiving end of the shaft, and wherein the scoop is widened for receipt of the magnet on the proximal end of the guide wire assembly; capturing the guide wire assembly with the guide wire receiver by positioning the proximal end of the guide wire assembly within the scoop of the guide wire receiver; pulling, from the lumbar region, the guide wire assembly through the epidural space to expose a portion of the guide wire assembly external to the first access point at the lumbar region; removing the magnet from the guide wire; removing the guide wire housed within the guide wire sleeve lumen; feeding at least one monofilament through the guide wire sleeve lumen from one of the lumbar or thoracic regions and to an other of the lumbar or thoracic regions; removing the guide wire sleeve from the epidural space and leaving in place the at least one monofilament in the epidural space, such that a first length of the at least one monofilament is exposed and external to the first access point, and a second length of the at least one monofilament is exposed and external to the second access point; coupling one end of the at least one monofilament to an end of a percutaneous lead of a spinal cord stimulator; pulling the percutaneous lead through at least a portion of the epidural space of the spinal cord by pulling on another of the ends of the at least one monofilament to which the percutaneous lead is not coupled; positioning the percutaneous lead at the desired position within the epidural space by pulling on said other end of the at least one monofilament until the lead is in said desired position; anchoring one of said first or second lengths of the at least one monofilament exposed outside of the one of said first or second access points; and anchoring the percutaneous lead exposed outside of the other of said first and second access points.