Abstract: A stimulation apparatus for a patient is provided, the apparatus comprising an external system configured to transmit transmission signals and an implantable system configured to receive the transmission signals from the external system. The implantable system comprises at least one implantable lead, a first implantable device for connecting to the implantable lead during a first time period and a second implantable device for subsequently connecting to the implantable lead for a second time period.

Abstract: A dual reservoir access port includes a base having proximal and distal fluid reservoirs. The fluid reservoirs each comprise a bottom and a side wall. A dual prong outlet stem projects from a distal end of the base and comprises a first prong and a second prong. A first fluid channel extends through the first prong to the distal reservoir, and a second fluid channel extends through the second prong to the proximal fluid reservoir. A puncture shield is disposed between at least a portion of the second fluid channel and the bottom of the distal fluid reservoir. A needle-penetrable septum is disposed atop of each of the fluid reservoirs. A cap is placed over and around the port base compressing and sealing the septa against the base. A locking collar may be placed over a dual lumen catheter to lock the catheter to the dual prong outlet stem.

Abstract: A venous access port assembly having a housing base with a discharge port, a septum, and a cap, with an interior reservoir. The housing base is provided with X-ray discernable indicia to identify an attribute of the assembly after its implantation and clearly appear on an X-ray of the patient in a manner informing the radiologist or technologist and the medical practitioner of that particular attribute. Such indicia can be depicted as cutouts through a disc of radiopaque material where the cutouts are in the form of alphabetical letters such as “CT”, or can be a set of discrete elements of radiopaque material, that are affixed along the bottom surface of the housing base or embedded within the thickness of the bottom housing wall.

Abstract: A stimulation system comprising: an implantable lead having a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one electrode along its distal end; an implantable neuromodulation stimulator disposed along the proximal end of the implantable lead; and an external device comprising a battery, a transmitter, and an antenna. The implantable lead is integral to the implantable neuromodulation stimulator. Methods of providing stimulation are also described.

Abstract: A stimulation system for a patient is provided. The system comprises: at least one implantable device comprising at least one implantable antenna; and an external device comprising at least one external antenna, wherein the at least one external antenna transfers power to the at least one implantable antenna. The at least one implantable device delivers therapy to the patient. A patient attachment device or body covering positions the at least one external antenna relative to the patient.

Abstract: A tunneling tool for forming a tissue channel and/or pocket beneath a portion of skin along a body comprises a distal end having a tunneling member and a guide. The tunneling member is configured for forming the tissue channel and/or pocket beneath the portion of skin while the guide remains above the skin and indicates the location of at least a portion of the tunneling member. An anchor for securing an elongate device to body tissue comprises an anchor body configured to receive the elongate device; a mechanism configured to removably attach the anchor body to the elongate device so as to resist movement of the elongate device in relation to the anchor body; and at least one tissue engagement element configured to assist in attaching the anchor body to the body tissue.

Abstract: A sphenocath including a sheath assembly including a sheath hub with a sheath tube extending therefrom with a passage extending from a proximal end of the sheath hub to a distal end of the sheath tube; a catheter assembly including a catheter hub with a catheter tube extending therefrom with a passage extending from a proximal end of the catheter hub to a distal end of the catheter tube; wherein the catheter assembly passes through the sheath assembly with a portion of the catheter hub engaging a portion of the sheath hub to limit relative rotation between the hubs while permitting relative axial movement such that in an initial non-extended position the distal end of the catheter tube is proximate to the distal end of the sheath tube. A system further including a guidewire is also provided.

Abstract: A method for visualization and/or administration of medication of and into the sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess of a patient is provided. The method includes providing a sphenocath and inserting a guidewire into the nostril of a patient to a target area proximate the sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess of the patient. The sphenocath is advanced over the guidewire and a catheter hub of the sphenocath is rotated relative to a sheath hub to conform to an anatomy of the patient's sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess, such that the distal end of the catheter tube is proximal to the target area. The sphenocath is then advanced relative to a sheath assembly so that the distal end of a sphenocath catheter tube extends from a sphenocath sheath tube distal end and bends along the guidewire. The guidewire is removed and contrast media, fluids, and/or medication is administered to the patient's sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine ganglion disposed within the sphenopalatine recess of the patient.

Abstract: A sphenocath including a sheath assembly including a sheath hub with a sheath tube extending therefrom with a passage extending from a proximal end of the sheath hub to a distal end of the sheath tube; a catheter assembly including a catheter hub with a catheter tube extending therefrom with a passage extending from a proximal end of the catheter hub to a distal end of the catheter tube; wherein the catheter assembly passes through the sheath assembly with a portion of the catheter hub engaging a portion of the sheath hub to limit relative rotation between the hubs while permitting relative axial movement such that in an initial non-extended position the distal end of the catheter tube is proximate to the distal end of the sheath tube. A system further including a guidewire is also provided.

Abstract: A method for visualization and/or administration of medication of and into the sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess of a patient is provided. The method includes providing a sphenocath and inserting a guidewire into the nostril of a patient to a target area proximate the sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess of the patient. The sphenocath is advanced over the guidewire and a catheter hub of the sphenocath is rotated relative to a sheath hub to conform to an anatomy of the patient's sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess, such that the distal end of the catheter tube is proximal to the target area. The sphenocath is then advanced relative to a sheath assembly so that the distal end of a sphenocath catheter tube extends from a sphenocath sheath tube distal end and bends along the guidewire. The guidewire is removed and contrast media, fluids, and/or medication is administered to the patient's sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine ganglion disposed within the sphenopalatine recess of the patient.

Abstract: A sphenocath including a sheath assembly including a sheath hub with a sheath tube extending therefrom with a passage extending from a proximal end of the sheath hub to a distal end of the sheath tube; a catheter assembly including a catheter hub with a catheter tube extending therefrom with a passage extending from a proximal end of the catheter hub to a distal end of the catheter tube; wherein the catheter assembly passes through the sheath assembly with a portion of the catheter hub engaging a portion of the sheath hub to limit relative rotation between the hubs while permitting relative axial movement such that in an initial non-extended position the distal end of the catheter tube is proximate to the distal end of the sheath tube. A system further including a guidewire is also provided.

Abstract: A method for visualization and/or administration of medication of and into the sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess of a patient is provided. The method includes providing a sphenocath and inserting a guidewire into the nostril of a patient to a target area proximate the sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess of the patient. The sphenocath is advanced over the guidewire and a catheter hub of the sphenocath is rotated relative to a sheath hub to conform to an anatomy of the patient's sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess, such that the distal end of the catheter tube is proximal to the target area. The sphenocath is then advanced relative to a sheath assembly so that the distal end of a sphenocath catheter tube extends from a sphenocath sheath tube distal end and bends along the guidewire. The guidewire is removed and contrast media, fluids, and/or medication is administered to the patient's sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine ganglion disposed within the sphenopalatine recess of the patient.

Abstract: A method for visualization and/or administration of medication of and into the sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess of a patient is provided. The method includes providing a sphenocath and inserting a guidewire into the nostril of a patient to a target area proximate the sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess of the patient. The sphenocath is advanced over the guidewire and a catheter hub of the sphenocath is rotated relative to a sheath hub to conform to an anatomy of the patient's sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess, such that the distal end of the catheter tube is proximal to the target area. The sphenocath is then advanced relative to a sheath assembly so that the distal end of a sphenocath catheter tube extends from a sphenocath sheath tube distal end and bends along the guidewire. The guidewire is removed and contrast media, fluids, and/or medication is administered to the patient's sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine ganglion disposed within the sphenopalatine recess of the patient.

Abstract: A sphenocath including a sheath assembly including a sheath hub with a sheath tube extending therefrom with a passage extending from a proximal end of the sheath hub to a distal end of the sheath tube; a catheter assembly including a catheter hub with a catheter tube extending therefrom with a passage extending from a proximal end of the catheter hub to a distal end of the catheter tube; wherein the catheter assembly passes through the sheath assembly with a portion of the catheter hub engaging a portion of the sheath hub to limit relative rotation between the hubs while permitting relative axial movement such that in an initial non-extended position the distal end of the catheter tube is proximate to the distal end of the sheath tube. A system further including a guidewire is also provided. A method of inserting the catheter tube is also provided.

Abstract: A dual reservoir access port includes a base having proximal and distal fluid reservoirs. The fluid reservoirs each comprise a bottom and a side wall. A dual prong outlet stem projects from a distal end of the base and comprises a first prong and a second prong. A first fluid channel extends through the first prong to the distal reservoir, and a second fluid channel extends through the second prong to the proximal fluid reservoir. A puncture shield is disposed between at least a portion of the second fluid channel and the bottom of the distal fluid reservoir. A needle-penetrable septum is disposed atop of each of the fluid reservoirs. A cap is placed over and around the port base compressing and sealing the septa against the base. A locking collar may be placed over a dual lumen catheter to lock the catheter to the dual prong outlet stem.

Abstract: A dual reservoir access port includes a base having proximal and distal fluid reservoirs. The fluid reservoirs each comprise a bottom and a side wall. A dual prong outlet stem projects from a distal end of the base and comprises a first prong and a second prong. A first fluid channel extends through the first prong to the distal reservoir, and a second fluid channel extends through the second prong to the proximal fluid reservoir. A puncture shield is disposed between at least a portion of the second fluid channel and the bottom of the distal fluid reservoir. A needle-penetrable septum is disposed atop of each of the fluid reservoirs. A cap is placed over and around the port base compressing and sealing the septa against the base. A locking collar may be placed over a dual lumen catheter to lock the catheter to the dual prong outlet stem.

Abstract: A Huber needle assembly. The Huber needle assembly includes a housing, a Huber needle having a bent tip, a base through which the Huber needle is slidably disposed, a tip block mechanism, and a safety or restraint mechanism. The tip block mechanism includes a needle block slidably disposed within the base and urged by a spring to block the tip of the Huber needle when the tip of the Huber needle is retracted into the base. In one exemplary embodiment, the safety or restraint mechanism includes a cable having a first end anchored within the housing and a second end anchored within the base. The cable restrains movement of the housing relative to the base. In another exemplary embodiment, the safety or restraint mechanism includes a collar disposed within the base. The collar is configured to prevent passage of the bent tip of the Huber needle.

Abstract: A method for visualization and/or administration of medication of and into the sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess of a patient is provided. The method includes providing a sphenocath and inserting a guidewire into the nostril of a patient to a target area proximate the sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess of the patient. The sphenocath is advanced over the guidewire and a catheter hub of the sphenocath is rotated relative to a sheath hub to conform to an anatomy of the patient's sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess, such that the distal end of the catheter tube is proximal to the target area. The sphenocath is then advanced relative to a sheath assembly so that the distal end of a sphenocath catheter tube extends from a sphenocath sheath tube distal end and bends along the guidewire. The guidewire is removed and contrast media, fluids, and/or medication is administered to the patient's sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine ganglion disposed within the sphenopalatine recess of the patient.

Abstract: A venous access port assembly (10) having a housing (12), a septum (14), a discharge stem (16) at a distal end thereof for connection to a catheter (50), and an interior chamber (18). The housing includes a pair of recesses (28) along both sides thereof between the distal end and a proximal port end (24), where the recesses facilitate pushing the assembly by the practitioner into a subcutaneous pocket (104) of a patient (100) for implantation into the pocket.

Abstract: A venous access port assembly having a housing base with a discharge port, a septum, and a cap, with an interior reservoir. The housing base is provided with X-ray discernable indicia to identify an attribute of the assembly after its implantation and clearly appear on an X-ray of the patient in a manner informing the radiologist or technologist and the medical practitioner of that particular attribute. Such indicia can be depicted as cutouts through a disc of radiopaque material where the cutouts are in the form of alphabetical letters such as “CT”, or can be a set of discrete elements of radiopaque material, that are affixed along the bottom surface of the housing base or embedded within the thickness of the bottom housing wall.