Patent ID: 8442649

Claim:
A lead assembly comprising: a nerve stimulation lead with a distal end, a proximal end, an outer surface, and a longitudinal length, the nerve stimulation lead comprising: a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end of the nerve stimulation lead, a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end of the nerve stimulation lead, at least one port defined in the outer layer proximal to the plurality of electrodes, and a plurality of conductive wires electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals; and 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 and for remaining permanently coupled to the nerve stimulation lead while the nerve stimulation lead is anchored against the bony structure or against soft tissue abutting the bony structure, the at least one anchoring unit comprising at least one elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end, the at least one elongated member extending along at least a portion of the nerve stimulation lead beneath the outer layer of the nerve stimulation lead with the distal end of the at least one elongated member extending outwards from the port, wherein the portion of the nerve stimulation lead along which the at least one elongated member extends beneath the outer layer of the nerve stimulation lead is proximal to the port, and at least one fastener attached to the distal end of the at least one elongated member, the at least one fastener configured and arranged for anchoring the at least one elongated member against a bony structure or against soft tissue abutting a bony structure.