Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of introduction of a percutaneous conductive lead into the body of a patient for implantation of the lead therein, including: inserting first and second hollow needles through the skin of the patient to a subcutaneous depth at which the lead is to be fixed; the tips of said needles being spaced from each other on opposite sides of a location to be stimulated by said lead; positioning the tips of said needle; to face each other; inserting a surrogate lead through said first hollow needle; passing said surrogate lead through the patient's body until its leading distal end is adjacent the tip of said second needle; inserting a snare through said second needle and snaring the leading distal end of said surrogate lead; pulling said snare and snared leading distal end of said surrogate lead through said second hollow needle so that said surrogate lead extends from the patient's body through both of said hollow needles; attaching one end of said surrogate lead to an end of the conductive lead; and pulling said surrogate lead to pull said conductive lead into the body of the patient.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of introduction of a percutaneous conductive lead into the body of a patient for implantation of the lead therein, including: inserting first and second hollow needles through the skin of the patient to a subcutaneous depth at which the lead is to be fixed; the tips of said needles being spaced from each other on opposite sides of a location to be stimulated by said lead; positioning the tips of said needle; to face each other; inserting a surrogate lead through said first hollow needle; passing said surrogate lead through the patient's body until its leading distal end is adjacent the tip of said second needle; inserting a snare through said second needle and snaring the leading distal end of said surrogate lead; pulling said snare and snared leading distal end of said surrogate lead through said second hollow needle so that said surrogate lead extends from the patient's body through both of said hollow needles; attaching one end of said surrogate lead to an end of the conductive lead; and pulling said surrogate lead to pull said conductive lead into the body of the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said surrogate lead is further pulled such that both ends of the conductive lead extend from the patient's body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said first and second needles are Tuohy needles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second needles are Tuohy needles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said conductive lead includes a contact region thereon for electrically stimulating the patient and said contact region is positioned at the location to be stimulated while both ends of said conductive lead extend from the patient's body, said needles are removed from the patient's body, and said conductive lead is secured to the patient's body adjacent the location from which both of the needles have been removed and after said contact region has been positioned at the location to be stimulated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said conductive lead is a neural stimulator lead for stimulating the spinal cord of the patient, and said needles and said conductive lead are inserted into the epidural space of the patient's spinal canal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said conductive lead is a neural stimulator lead for stimulating the spinal cord of the patient, and said needles and said conductive lead are inserted into the epidural space of the patient's spinal canal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said conductive lead is a neural stimulator lead for stimulating the spinal cord of the patient, and said needles and said conductive lead are inserted into the epidural space of the patient's spinal canal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said first and second needles are Tuohy needles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said conductive lead is pulled through both of said needles and said needles are thereafter removed from the patient's body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said snare snares grooved means to facilitate snaring at the leading distal end of said surrogate lead.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of fixing a conductive neural stimulator lead in the body of a patient including: positioning the conductive lead in the epidural space of the patient's spinal canal so that it exits the body at two spaced locations through the skin of the patient, and securing the lead to the patient's body adjacent both of said locations.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of fixing a conductive neural stimulator lead in the body of a patient including: positioning the conductive lead in the epidural space of the patient's spinal canal so that it exits the body at two spaced locations through the skin of the patient, and securing the lead to the patient's body adjacent both of said locations.