Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus is provided for securing an electrical stimulation lead in position in a person's brain. The apparatus includes a body configured to seat within a burr hole formed in the person's skull. The apparatus also includes a central elastic membrane coupled to the body and extending across a central aperture of the body. The elastic membrane includes a number of pre-formed openings provided for purposes of securing the lead in position within the brain after implantation. Each pre-formed opening may penetrate through an entire thickness of the elastic membrane. Each pre-formed opening may be selected for insertion of the lead into the brain. Each pre-formed opening is adapted to elastically expand as the lead is inserted through the pre-formed opening and positioned in the brain and is adapted to elastically contract on the lead to secure the lead in position within the brain after implantation.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus is provided for securing an electrical stimulation lead in position in a person's brain. The apparatus includes a flexible disc comprising a substantially radial slot adapted to secure the lead in position within the brain after implantation. The slot is adapted to elastically expand as the lead is inserted into the slot and is also adapted to elastically contract on the lead to secure the lead in position within the brain after implantation. The apparatus further includes a ring adapted to seat within a burr hole formed in the person's skull. The ring comprises a channel adapted to receive and secure the flexible disc.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises: a base structure adapted to be inserted within the burr hole; a lead securing member for securing the lead, the lead securing member comprising a first arm structure and a second arm structure, at least one spring loaded structure adapted to exert a force to bring the first arm structure and the second arm structure together; and a positioning tool having a distal end adapted to be inserted within the lead securing member. When the positioning tool is positioned within the lead securing member, the distal end holds the first and second arm structures a sufficient distance apart to receive a lead between the first and second arm structures; wherein the positioning tool comprises a control structure at a proximal end that, when engaged, causes the distal end of the positioning tool to be released from between the first and second arm structures.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises: a base structure adapted to be inserted within the burr hole; a lead securing member for securing the lead, the lead securing member comprising a first arm structure and a second arm structure, at least one spring loaded structure adapted to exert a force to bring the first arm structure and the second arm structure together; and a positioning tool having a distal end adapted to be inserted within the lead securing member. When the positioning tool is positioned within the lead securing member, the distal end holds the first and second arm structures a sufficient distance apart to receive a lead between the first and second arm structures; wherein the positioning tool comprises a control structure at a proximal end that, when engaged, causes the distal end of the positioning tool to be released from between the first and second arm structures.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises: a base structure adapted to be inserted within the burr hole; a lead securing member for securing the lead, the lead securing member comprising a first arm structure and a second arm structure, at least one spring loaded structure adapted to exert a force to bring the first arm structure and the second arm structure together; and a positioning tool having a distal end adapted to be inserted within the lead securing member. When the positioning tool is positioned within the lead securing member, the distal end holds the first and second arm structures a sufficient distance apart to receive a lead between the first and second arm structures; wherein the positioning tool comprises a control structure at a proximal end that, when engaged, causes the distal end of the positioning tool to be released from between the first and second arm structures.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises: a base structure adapted to be inserted within the burr hole; a lead securing member for securing the lead, the lead securing member comprising a first arm structure and a second arm structure, at least one spring loaded structure adapted to exert a force to bring the first arm structure and the second arm structure together; and a positioning tool having a distal end adapted to be inserted within the lead securing member. When the positioning tool is positioned within the lead securing member, the distal end holds the first and second arm structures a sufficient distance apart to receive a lead between the first and second arm structures; wherein the positioning tool comprises a control structure at a proximal end that, when engaged, causes the distal end of the positioning tool to be released from between the first and second arm structures.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of treating hearing loss in a patient, comprises: creating a first channel in osseous tissue at or immediately adjacent to the promontory of the patient; creating a second channel through the first channel to the scala tympani or the scala vestibuli; and implanting a hearing device in the first channel, the hearing device being in fluid communication with cochlear fluid through the second channel, the hearing device being adapted to drive cochlear fluid to activate auditory receptor cells in the cochlea of the patient.

Abstract: A paddle lead includes a plurality of electrodes configured in at least three rows of three electrodes with the second, intermediate row operable to provide anode guarding. The paddle lead further includes a plurality of grooves disposed on a surface opposite the electrodes to facilitate the insertion of the paddle lead within a patient by inhibiting the veering of the paddle lead to one side or the other of the dorsal column as the paddle lead is advanced along the dorsal column midline during implantation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a paddle lead comprises: a plurality of stimulating electrode contacts disposed, the plurality of stimulation electrode contacts being adapted to allow the stimulation paddle to flex transversely about a longitudinal axis; wherein the plurality of stimulation electrode contacts are arranged in at least first, second, and third rows that are disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the paddle; the first and third rows respectively having multiple electrode contacts electrically coupled to different conductors of the lead to enable the multiple electrode contacts of the first and third rows to function in independent cathode states, anode states, or high-impedance states; the second row being disposed between the first and third rows, the second row having multiple electrode contacts each electrically coupled to a common conductor to cause the multiple electrode contacts of the second row to function in a common cathode state, anode state, or high-impedance state.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a tubular housing for electrically connecting an implantable stimulation device to an implantable electrical stimulation lead. The tubular housing includes a tubular outer segment including a first material, a tubular middle segment inside the outer segment in contact with the outer segment including a second material, and a tubular inner segment inside the middle segment in contact with the middle segment including a third material. A circumferential groove in the inner segment exposes a portion of the middle segment to an axial hole through the tubular housing. The groove is adapted to receive a coiled spring. The groove enables transmission of stimulation pulses from the exposed portion of the middle segment, through the coiled spring, to the stimulation lead inserted through the axial hole for stimulation of tissue in a patient.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for supporting plant growth on a roof of a building, comprises: a water-impervious base structure; a water-permeable cover; porous material, held between the base structure and the cover, for providing a root base for the plant growth; one or more irrigation channels for permitting delivery of water through the base structure or cover to the synthetic or natural soil; the cover being further adapted to permit growth of plant material from the porous material through to an exterior of the cover.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for making such apparatus for providing controlled and directional stimulation patterns for tissue stimulation. The apparatus may be useful in stimulation nervous tissue in the brain, about the spinal cord, on nerve roots, about peripheral nerves, and in muscles, among others. The apparatus includes a implantable pulse generator connected to a lead. The lead has electrodes placed about a perimeter. In addition, the lead may include electrodes placed longitudinally along the axis of the lead. By applying charge differences between circumferentially distributed electrodes, a smaller stimulation field may be established. In addition, by stimulating between electrodes distributed longitudinally on the same side, a directional flow field may be established. Such leads are especially useful in deep brain stimulation as the region in which a stimulation field is strong enough to produce tissue stimulation is directional and minimized.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for making such apparatus for providing controlled and directional stimulation patterns for tissue stimulation. The apparatus may be useful in stimulation nervous tissue in the brain, about the spinal cord, on nerve roots, about peripheral nerves, and in muscles, among others. The apparatus includes a implantable pulse generator connected to a lead. The lead has electrodes placed about a perimeter. In addition, the lead may include electrodes placed longitudinally along the axis of the lead. By applying charge differences between circumferentially distributed electrodes, a smaller stimulation field may be established. In addition, by stimulating between electrodes distributed longitudinally on the same side, a directional flow field may be established. Such leads are especially useful in deep brain stimulation as the region in which a stimulation field is strong enough to produce tissue stimulation is directional and minimized.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having at least one lead connector. The lead connector has a collet-type mechanism. A bolt is securely affixed within the header of the implanted device. The bolt means has a central bore for receiving a pin of a lead, and fingers for contacting the end of the lead. Initial electrical contact is achieved by the bolt when the lead is inserted therein. A nut threadedly engages the bolt to compress the fingers against the lead. The nut is rotatably received within the header of the implanted device so that it can both tighten on the bolt and loosen therefrom. The nut is manipulated through a piercable septum.