Abstract: A connector system and method for anchoring a tubular lead or catheter member within a cranial burr hole in a patient, providing for direct in-line positioning and reliable fixation of the member with respect to the patient's skull after the distal end portion has been accurately positioned within the patient's brain. The system includes a baseplate, with or without adaptor to adapt for the burr hole size, and a two element fixation subassembly positioned within the baseplate for enabling fixing of the member to the baseplate after the member has been accurately positioned with a stereotactic instrument. The fixation subassembly suitably includes a compression seal made of a compressible material and a compression screw which, when screwed down into the baseplate, exerts an inwardly radial force on the compression seal, causing the seal to fixedly engage the lead or catheter member within the axial lumen of the baseplate.

Abstract: A brain stimulation lead for precise delivery of electrical stimuli to a small dense brain target, and method of positioning such lead optimally in the patient's brain, is provided. The lead has a distal end portion which is substantially tubular or cylindrical along a longitudinal axis, and has a plurality of electrodes characterized by a diagonal geometry, permitting a greater number of electrodes to be provided within a very small lineal distance, e.g. 10 mm or even 5 mm. In a preferred embodiment, three ring electrodes are positioned on the distal end portion, each at a common angle of about 45 degrees and each extending only about 180.degree. around the lead body. The ring segment electrodes are about 0.5 mm in axial length, and have a separation of about 0.5 mm. The lead also has a tip electrode with a substantially spherical distal edge, and a proximal diagonal edge having the same angle as the ring segment electrodes.

Abstract: A simple and reliable system for anchoring a lead to the sacrum. The system provides a pliant slid-on anchoring sleeve featuring a suturing groove for lead fixation and a base having screw tabs for anchoring the sleeve and thus the lead to the sacrum. The base is reinforced, preferably through a mesh, to prevent tearing caused by screw forces. In addition an elongate washer may be further used in conjunction with screws to anchor the system to bone.