Patent ID: 8494657

Claim:
An implantable device, comprising: a device body configured and arranged to be implanted proximate to selected tissue in a patient, the device body comprising a distal portion, a proximal portion, at least one electrode disposed on the distal portion of the device body, at least one terminal disposed on the proximal portion of the device body, and at least one conductor extending along the device body from the at least one electrode to the at least one terminal; and an anchoring unit disposed around a portion of the device body between the at least one electrode and the at least one terminal, the anchoring unit configured and arranged for anchoring the device body in the patient upon implantation, the anchoring unit comprising a ring-shaped unit forming, by itself, a closed loop defining a device opening configured and arranged for receiving a portion of the device body, the ring-shaped unit formed from a resorbable material that resorbs into the patient over a period of time after implantation, the resorption at least partially releasing the at least one electrode from the anchoring unit while the device body is implanted in the patient, the anchoring unit configured and arranged such that the period of time of resorption is sufficient to allow tissue ingrowth around the at least one electrode to anchor the at least one electrode prior to release of the at least one electrode due to at least a partial resorption of the anchoring unit, wherein the anchoring unit additionally defines at least one closed-loop anchoring opening extending therethrough, the anchoring opening configured and arranged for passage of at least one of at least one suture or at least one staple, the at least one anchoring opening being separate and distinct from the device opening.