Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near the nerve tissue. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for facilitating programming of an implantable pulse generator (IPG) by an external programming device, the method comprises: receiving input from a user by the external programming device to calibrate electrode combinations at a plurality of locations along one or more stimulation leads implanted within the epidural space of a patient; controlling the IPG by the external programmer to apply stimulation to the patient via the electrode combinations; receiving input from a user by the external programming device that indicates values of a respective perception stimulation threshold at each location of the plurality of locations; receiving input from a user by the external programming device that indicates values of a respective bilateral stimulation threshold at each location of the plurality of locations; calculating positions by the external programming device of each of the plurality of locations using the perception stimulation thresholds and the bilateral stimulation thresholds

Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near the nerve tissue. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near the nerve tissue. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near the nerve tissue. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for facilitating programming of an implantable pulse generator (IPG) by an external programming device, the method comprises: receiving input from a user by the external programming device to calibrate electrode combinations at a plurality of locations along one or more stimulation leads implanted within the epidural space of a patient; controlling the IPG by the external programmer to apply stimulation to the patient via the electrode combinations; receiving input from a user by the external programming device that indicates values of a respective perception stimulation threshold at each location of the plurality of locations; receiving input from a user by the external programming device that indicates values of a respective bilateral stimulation threshold at each location of the plurality of locations; calculating positions by the external programming device of each of the plurality of locations using the perception stimulation thresholds and the bilateral stimulation thresholds

Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near the nerve tissue. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting a paddle style electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the paddle style electrical stimulation lead. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.