Patent ID: 8340779
Filing Date: 2012-12-25
Classification: A61B,A61M,A61N

Abstract:
1. A stimulation lead introducer for widening a path to have a substantially oblong cross-section through an epidural region proximate a spine of a patient and implanting a paddle lead at a target site, the stimulation lead introducer comprising: an elongated dilator defining a dilator lumen sized to advance over a guidewire, the dilator having a dilator body, a proximal end, a distal end, and a distal tip, wherein the dilator is made of a substantially deformable polymer material, and the dilator body has an oblong cross-section; and an elongated sheath defining a sheath lumen sized to accommodate the paddle lead, the sheath lumen having a substantially oblong cross-section, the sheath having a sheath proximal end and a sheath distal end, wherein the sheath comprises a sheath material that is substantially deformable and the outside of the sheath has a substantially oblong cross-section, wherein the sheath lumen is sized to accommodate the dilator, the dilator and the sheath have respective fittings on the proximal end of the dilator and the sheath proximal end, and the dilator is longer than the sheath such that the distal tip of the dilator can extend beyond an opening in the sheath distal end when the dilator is within the sheath lumen; wherein the distal tip of the dilator comprises a circular opening to the dilator lumen, a distal portion with a generally circular cross-section, and a proximal portion with a substantially oblong cross-section adjacent to the dilator body, the distal tip of the dilator being configured to widen a path through the epidural region proximate the spine when extending beyond the sheath distal end while being deformable to bend to prevent puncturing the dura membrane during advancement of the stimulation lead introducer along the path; and wherein the sheath is configured to maintain the path in the epidural region for advancement of the paddle lead after withdrawal of the dilator from the sheath lumen.