Abstract: An anchor for an implantable medical device, anchor delivery tools, kits, and methods, all directed to securing a therapy delivery element at a target location in a patient. An anchor for a therapy delivery element having an outer surface about which the anchor is disposable. The anchor includes a body portion having elastomeric properties, a first opening, a second opening, and a non-linear lumen extending though the body portion from the first opening to the second opening in a relaxed state. The non-linear lumen becomes a linear lumen in a stretched state. The linear lumen of the body portion is adapted to receive the therapy delivery element and the non-linear lumen frictionally engages the outer surface of the therapy delivery element in the relaxed state.

Abstract: A low-insertion force electrical connector for implantable medical devices. The electrical contact includes a housing with a pair of opposing sidewalls each with center openings oriented generally concentrically around a center axis. The housing also includes a recess with a recess diameter. An inner coil is located in the recess with a coil axis generally co-linear with the center axis of the center openings. The inner coil includes an outer diameter less than the recess diameter, and an inner diameter greater than a center opening diameter. An outer coil is threaded onto the inner coil to form a generally toroidal-shape. The outer coil has an outer diameter less than the recess diameter, and an inner diameter less than the center opening diameter. The outer coil is radially expanded within the recess in response to engagement with contact rings on the implantable medical device, such that the outer diameter of the outer coil is at least equal to the recess diameter.

Abstract: A low-insertion force electrical connector for implantable medical devices. The electrical contact includes a housing with a pair of opposing sidewalls each with center openings oriented generally concentrically around a center axis. The housing also includes a recess with a recess diameter. An inner coil is located in the recess with a coil axis generally co-linear with the center axis of the center openings. The inner coil includes an outer diameter less than the recess diameter, and an inner diameter greater than a center opening diameter. An outer coil is threaded onto the inner coil to form a generally toroidal-shape. The outer coil has an outer diameter less than the recess diameter, and an inner diameter less than the center opening diameter. The outer coil is radially expanded within the recess in response to engagement with contact rings on the implantable medical device, such that the outer diameter of the outer coil is at least equal to the recess diameter.

Abstract: An anchor for an implantable medical device, anchor delivery tools, kits, and methods, all directed to securing a therapy delivery element at a target location in a patient. An anchor for a therapy delivery element having an outer surface about which the anchor is disposable. The anchor includes a body portion having elastomeric properties, a first opening, a second opening, and a non-linear lumen extending though the body portion from the first opening to the second opening in a relaxed state. The non-linear lumen becomes a linear lumen in a stretched state. The linear lumen of the body portion is adapted to receive the therapy delivery element and the non-linear lumen frictionally engages the outer surface of the therapy delivery element in the relaxed state.

Abstract: A therapy delivery element adapted to be implanted into a living body. The therapy delivery element includes an electrode portion with a plurality of electrodes. At least one elongated lead body is attached to the electrode portion. The elongated lead body includes a stylet coil having a stylet coil lumen. The stylet coil extends within the elongated lead body and along at least a portion of the electrode portion. A conductor assembly with a plurality of insulated electrical conductors is braided to extending around the stylet coil and to electrically couple to one or more of the electrodes. The conductor assembly includes an inner lumen with a diameter greater than an outside diameter of the stylet coil. Axial elongation of the elongated lead body reduces the inner diameter of the conductor assembly. A low durometer insulator extends around the conductor assembly.

Abstract: A one-piece, single-use disposable device for transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) of prostate tissue to alleviate BPH is disclosed. The device may include a flexible catheter tip including a rigid core and a flexible tip. The device may also include a single use lockout to help ensure that the device is used to perform only one ablation procedure on a single patient. The device may further include a simplified needle deployment mechanism and/or an automatic needle retraction mechanism.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a kit to facilitate implantation of therapy elements into a patient, and techniques for percutaneously inserting therapy elements into a patient. In particular, embodiments of the invention are directed to techniques for percutaneously inserting two or more therapy elements into a patient via a single needle. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a kit to facilitate implantation of therapy elements into a patient. The kit comprises a needle defining a lumen a first therapy element sized to pass through the lumen, and a second therapy element sized to pass through the lumen. The lumen is sized to receive both of the first and second therapy elements simultaneously. The first and second therapy elements are separate and not attached to one another such that distal ends of the first and second therapy elements can be positioned to provide therapy in distinct locations of the patient.

Abstract: Low resistivity, implantable electrical connectors and biomedical leads having the connectors mechanically coupled to low resistivity wires in a non-welded attachment to extend implanted device battery life. One implantable electrical connector has an inner longitudinal aperture and two opposed flanges angled away from the longitudinal axis and coupled through a radially flexible inner circumferential wall to form a single piece, low resistance path. An elastic member can urge the flexible inner circumferential wall portion inward. In one connector, the electrically conductive, flexible inner wall portion can resiliently contact an inserted electrode. The connector body can include at least one hole adjacent a mechanically deformable sidewall for mechanically securing an electrical conductor inserted within the hole. The low resistivity, implantable, biocompatible electrical connectors and leads can be used in neurological and cardiac applications.

Abstract: Catheter connectors, systems, and methods of use in which a catheter is attached to a connector such that the catheter is retained on the connector by inward radial compression between an outer surface of a hollow pin located within the catheter and a collet fitted over the portion of the catheter containing the pin. The collet may be moved from an unlocked position to a locked position by axial displacement of the collet along a longitudinal axis of the connector.

Abstract: Implantable medical leads, lead assemblies, and methods for implanting the leads into the human body, for example, for use within the epidural spaces of the spinal column to manage pain. A stylet lumen extends within the lead between a side-wall stylet entrance port and a lead distal region. In use, exemplary stylets may be inserted through the lead stylet port to stiffen only the distal portion of the lead, and the distal portion of the lead inserted through an introducer needle into the human body. The stiffened distal portion of the lead may be short and easily controllable.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing a therapy delivery device relative to a burr hole and method for making same. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a base for seating in or near the burr hole. The apparatus may further include a stabilizer that may be engaged with the therapy delivery device. The stabilizer may include a surface coating or treatment operable to enhance frictional engagement with the therapy delivery device.

Abstract: An implantable lead body for a medical device with improved conductor lumens separates and insulates conductors while permitting access to the conductors through the implantable lead outer surface. The implantable lead comprises a lead body, a stylet lumen, at least one conductor lumen, and at least one axial slit in the lead body. The lead body has a proximal end, a distal end, an internal portion, and an external portion. The stylet lumen is formed in the internal portion. The conductor lumen is formed in the internal portion and positioned near an outer surface of the internal portion such that there is only a web between the conductor lumen and the outer surface of the internal portion. The axial slit is formed in the lead body distal end between the conductor lumen and the outer surface of the internal portion.

Abstract: An implantable lead body for a medical device with improved conductor lumens separates and insulates conductors while permitting access to the conductors through the implantable lead outer surface. The implantable lead comprises a lead body, a stylet lumen, at least one conductor lumen, and at least one axial slit in the lead body. The lead body has a proximal end, a distal end, an internal portion, and an external portion. The stylet lumen is formed in the internal portion. The conductor lumen is formed in the internal portion and positioned near an outer surface of the internal portion such that there is only a web between the conductor lumen and the outer surface of the internal portion. The axial slit is formed in the lead body distal end between the conductor lumen and the outer surface of the internal portion.

Abstract: A breakaway connector for use with a medical (e.g., catheter) or other fluid system. The connector may include two couplers that engage one another via a substantially frictionless retention device. In one embodiment, the retention device includes a biased cylindrical roller attached to one coupler that contacts an outer surface of the other coupler. The outer surface may include a grooved surface to receive the roller when the couplers are fully attached.

Abstract: Connectors, connection systems, and methods for coupling a catheter or catheter assembly to a stem of a medical device. Exemplary connectors may include a seal attached at or near a proximal end of the catheter, and a tubular housing that includes a locking member operable to connect the catheter to the medical device, preferably without the use of tools. Exemplary methods may include: inserting the stem of the device into the housing, wherein the housing is configured to press the seal against the stem, compressing the seal, and moving the locking member into a locked position.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for securing a therapy delivery device relative to a burr hole. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a base that is securable to bone, without the use of fasteners, either before or after insertion of the therapy delivery device into the burr hole. The apparatus may further include a stabilizer that may be engaged with both the base and the therapy delivery device while the delivery device is held with positioning apparatus. The base and/or stabilizer may frictionally engage the delivery device, e.g., receive it with interference, to secure the device in two or more non-parallel directions. In some embodiments, at least the stabilizer may include a surface coating or treatment operable to enhance frictional engagement with the therapy delivery device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for securing a therapy delivery device relative to a burr hole. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a base that is securable to bone, without the use of fasteners, either before or after insertion of the therapy delivery device into the burr hole. The apparatus may further include a stabilizer that may be engaged with both the base and the therapy delivery device while the delivery device is held with positioning apparatus. The base and/or stabilizer may frictionally engage the delivery device, e.g., receive it with interference, to secure the device in two or more non-parallel directions. In some embodiments, at least the stabilizer may include a surface coating or treatment operable to enhance frictional engagement with the therapy delivery device.

Abstract: Catheter connectors, connection systems, and methods in which a catheter is attached to a threaded connector that is inserted into the lumen of the catheter. The catheter may include an elastically compressible inner body that is surrounded by a reinforcing braid that is further surrounded by an optional outer jacket. When the connector is inserted into the lumen of the catheter, the elastically compressible inner body of the lumen may be compressed by and may conform to the shape of the threaded outer surface of the connector to form a fluid-tight seal between the lumen and the connector.

Abstract: An anchor for use in an anchor system and method for securing a catheter to tissue includes a flexible body portion that defines one or more openings through which a catheter is positioned when secured to the tissue. For example, the one or more openings may be a channel through the anchor having a diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the catheter.