IMPLANTATION OF IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE
In general, the invention is directed to strategies pertaining to implantation of an implantable medical device between a scalp and a skull of the patient. The invention pertains to collection of data such as data pertaining to the skull of the patient, the scalp of the patient, the vascular structure or neurological structures in the head of the patient, and the like. The data may be in the form of images, such as images generated by X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, CT-scan and fluoroscopy. A surgeon can use the collected data to determine, for example, whether the patient is a candidate for a cranial implantation, whether the patient's skull and scalp can support the implantation, what configuration of device should be implanted, where the device should be implanted, and how the surgical incisions should be made.
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This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/835,527, filed Apr. 29, 2004, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe invention relates to implantation and removal of medical devices, and more particularly, to implantable medical devices that deliver therapy to and/or monitor a patient.
BACKGROUNDImplantable medical devices (IMDs) include devices implantable in a mammalian body that sense medical parameters, monitor medical conditions, administer therapy, or any combination thereof. Typical IMDs include a variety of electrical and/or mechanical components, often including a housing that houses the components. Because the components may be fragile, the housing is usually sufficiently robust to protect the components from forces to which they would otherwise be exposed when implanted within the body. Housings may be constructed from titanium, for example. In order to avoid potentially harmful interactions between the components and bodily fluids, such as corrosion, IMD housings are typically hermetically sealed.
Large components common to most IMDs typically include a battery, a coil, and a hybrid circuit that includes digital circuits, e.g., integrated circuit chips and/or a microprocessor, and analog circuit components. IMDs may include other components as well. The components and the housing each add bulk to the IMD.
Some medical devices may be implanted in the head of a patient. For example, an IMD may be implanted under the scalp and on top of the cranium, with one or more leads deployed on the head or implanted in the brain. In many cases, the implantation is not permanent, and it may be advantageous to remove the device for reasons such as repair, maintenance, replacement, or because the patient no longer benefits from the device.
SUMMARYIn general, the invention is directed to techniques for planning and carrying out implantation of an IMD under the scalp of a patient and on top of the patient's skull. Implantation of a cranially implanted IMD includes making an incision in the scalp of a head of a patient to obtain access to the implantation site and implanting the IMD.
The invention addresses strategies that make implantation more efficient and improve the chances of success. Generally speaking, data are collected prior to surgery that assist the surgeon in planning and executing the surgery. The collected data can pertain to the contours of the skull of the patient, the condition of the scalp of the patient, the vascular structure or neurological structures in the head of the patient, and the like. The data may be in the form of images, such as images generated by X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, CT-scan and fluoroscopy. The data can also be in the form of physical or virtual models of the patient's skull and the IMD.
A surgeon can use the collected data to determine, for example, whether the patient is a candidate for a cranial implantation, and whether the patient's skull and scalp can support the implantation. The surgeon can also determine where the device should be implanted, and how the surgical incisions should be made.
In addition, the surgeon can use the data to determine what configuration of device should be implanted. The IMDs can incorporate a modular design, and the modules may be arranged in a plurality of standard configurations. In other words, IMDs need not be built from scratch for every patient. Rather, the surgeon can select a suitable standard configuration and adapt that configuration to the patient by bending, trimming or otherwise adjusting the IMD to fit the patient. Use of one or more standard configurations is generally more efficient, convenient and economical than building custom IMDs from scratch for each patient.
In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a method comprising receiving an image of a head of a patient and determining, as a function of the image, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation of an implantable medical device between a scalp and a skull. The IMD includes at least one module that includes control electronics within a housing, and is configured to be implanted between the scalp and the skull of the patient. The IMD may also have member that at least partially encapsulates the housing. The method may further include determining whether the patient is a candidate for implantation of the IMD deployed in a recess created in the skull.
In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a method that includes receiving an image of a head of a patient, generating a model of the patient's skull as a function of the image, and providing an implantable medical device configured to be implanted between a scalp and the skull of the patient as a function of the model of the skull. The model of the skull may be a physical model or a virtual model simulated in a computer.
In a further embodiment, the invention presents a method comprising receiving an image of a head of a patient and selecting, from a plurality of configurations of an implantable medical device configured to be implanted between a scalp and a skull, a configuration of the implantable medical device as a function of the image.
In an additional embodiment, the invention is directed to a method that includes receiving an image of a scalp of a patient. The method also includes determining, as a function of the image, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation of an implantable medical device between the scalp and a skull. The method can include conditioning the scalp for implantation of the IMD.
In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a method comprising receiving skull contour data associated with the skull of a patient, and selecting, as a function of the skull contour data, an implantation site for an implantable medical device.
In an added embodiment, the invention is directed to a method that includes receiving a soft-tissue image of a head of a patient, identifying physiological structures in the image, and selecting an incision site as a function of the physiological structures.
In additional embodiments, the invention is directed to methods that include receiving an image of a head of a patient, the image comprising a soft-tissue image and a hard-tissue image, of a head of a patient. In one embodiment, the invention includes receiving an implantation criterion and proposing at least one implantation site for an implantable medical device as a function of the image and the implantation criterion. In another embodiment, the invention includes receiving an implantation site for an implantable medical device, and disclosing to a user information about at least one feature of the head at the implantation site.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Although IMD 12 is depicted as a neurostimulator, the invention is not limited to applications in which the IMD is a neurostimulator. The invention may be employed with IMDs that perform any monitoring or therapeutic functions. The invention is not limited to IMDs that include leads deployed in the brain, but may also be employed with leads deployed anywhere in the head or neck including, for example, leads deployed on or near the surface of the skull, leads deployed beneath the skull such as near or on the dura mater, leads placed adjacent cranial or other nerves in the neck or head, or leads placed directly on the surface of the brain. Nor is the invention limited to IMDs that are coupled to electrodes. The invention may be employed with low-profile IMDs coupled to any sensing or therapeutic elements, such as temperature sensors or motion sensors. The invention may also be employed with different types of IMDs including, but not limited to, IMDs operating in an open loop mode (also referred to as non-responsive operation), IMDs operating in a closed loop mode (also referred to as responsive), and IMDs for providing monitoring and/or warning.
In the example of
The surgeon typically places caps 24A and 24B, called “burr hole caps,” over the burr holes. A portion of the bodies of leads 16A and 16B, identified with reference numerals 26A and 26B, is deployed outside of the brain on the surface of skull 22. Before connecting leads 26A and 26B to IMD 12, the surgeon typically “manages” the leads. Lead management includes arranging the excess length of leads 16 using techniques such as coiling and anchoring with anchoring plates. In a typical implantation, the surgeon arranges the leads to provide some slack to reduce the risk of lead migration. In
The surgeon implants IMD 12 between scalp 14 and skull 22. In one surgical procedure, the surgeon uses a tool to form a pocket beneath scalp 14 proximate to the burr holes, and positions IMD 12 in the pocket. The surgeon may fix IMD 12 to the cranium using an attachment mechanism such as bone screws. The surgeon closes skin flap 20 over IMD 12, and then staples or sutures the incision.
In
In general, member 36 integrates modules 30, 32 and 34 into a desired form factor, but, where flexible, allows relative intermodule motion. In some embodiments, member 36 incorporates mechanical features to restrict intermodule motion to certain directions or within certain ranges. Member 36 may be made from silicone, and is some embodiments may be made from two or more materials of differing flexibility, such as silicone and a polyurethane. An exemplary polyurethane for this purpose is Tecothane®, which is commercially available from Hermedics Polymer Products, Wilmington, Mass. Member 36 may also be referred to as an “overmold,” but use of the term “overmold” herein is not intended to limit the invention to embodiments in which member 36 is a molded structure. Member 36 may be a molded structure, or may be a structure formed by any process.
The invention is not limited to the particular IMD depicted in
A surgeon may implant dummy IMD 50 in a manner similar to implantation of a working IMD. For example, the surgeon may make a C-flap incision as shown in
As illustrated in
In one embodiment, dummy IMD 50 is at the time of implantation thinner than working IMD 12. The thinness of dummy IMD 50 enables the surgeon to close the incision in scalp 14 more easily.
Dummy IMD 50 may be formed from any number of biocompatible materials. In a typical embodiment, dummy IMD 50 is formed from a soft, pliable and fluid-tight polymer such as silicone.
In the embodiment of the invention shown in
In
In
Before making a cranial implantation with a recess, such as recess 60 depicted in
In some cases, the patient may be a candidate for a cranial implantation with a recess, and the surgeon considers whether a cranial implantation with a recess is indicated (78). When a cranial implantation with a recess is feasible, the surgeon plans the operation based on the images (80) before commencing the operation (82). In some procedures, the recess may be formed by a computer-controlled device that forms the recess in the cranium.
In some cases, the surgeon refers to the images and determines that the patient is not a candidate for cranial implantation. In such cases, the surgeon plans an implantation at another site (84), such as the neck or trunk of the patient, before commencing the operation (86).
In another embodiment of the invention, the image data are supplied to a computer system 96, which generates a virtual model of the patient's skull 98 and a virtual IMD 100. Virtual IMD 100 can be selected from a plurality of virtual IMD configurations, and virtual modeling supports simulating implantation of several virtual IMD configurations. Virtual IMD 100 can then be tailored to conform to virtual skull 98. Once virtual IMD 100 is tailored to virtual skull 98, the dimensions of virtual IMD 100 can be used to construct an actual IMD.
In some cases, providing the IMD comprises making adjustments to a standard IMD or to one of a set of standard IMDs to meet the needs to the patient. In other cases, providing the IMD comprises constructing a customized IMD for the patient.
Employment of modeling techniques prior to surgery can result in many advantages for the patient. Modeling can help the surgeon select an implantation site, and can help the surgeon select a recess location, if suitable. Modeling can further help the surgeon select a configuration of modules. A triangular configuration of modules, such as depicted in
An advantage of modular IMDs such as those depicted in
It is generally more efficient, convenient and economical to employ a standard configuration of IMD that is adjusted to the patient, than to build an IMD from scratch that is fully customized for the patient. Thus, it can be advantageous for the surgeon to select a particular IMD from a plurality of standard IMD configurations. In the event the surgeon determines that the patient cannot benefit from a standard module configuration, however, the surgeon may direct the creation of a customized IMD (128).
Accordingly, upon receiving one or more soft-tissue images of the head (130), the surgeon may determine whether the patient's scalp can support a cranial implantation (132), and if so, the surgeon plans a cranial implantation (134). Preparation for cranial implantation (138) may optionally include scalp conditioning (136), such as implantation and expansion of a dummy IMD as depicted in
Accordingly, the surgeon may receive one or more soft-tissue images (160) that include physiological structures such as vascular and neurological structures (162). Using this image data, the surgeon can plan the site of the cranial implantation (164) and can develop an incision strategy (166) to bring about the implantation (168).
In the embodiment depicted in
It is possible that more than one site may satisfy the surgeon's implantation criteria. The imaging system may present the sites in hierarchical order according to any standard, such as closest site to the burr hole caps, site with the greatest scalp thickness, and so forth. In this way, the surgeon can assess her options for implantation. It is also possible the imaging system will find no site that will satisfy all of the surgeon's implantation criteria, and the imaging system may present in any order the sites that come closest to meeting the implantation criteria.
In a variation of this embodiment, the surgeon selects a potential implantation site (176) and the imaging system discloses information to the surgeon about the features of the head at that site (178). Upon receiving the surgeon's selection of a site anterior to the coronal suture of the skull and straddling the sagittal suture of the skull, the imaging system informs the surgeon about skull curvature at the site, skull thickness, scalp thickness, nearby vascular and neurological structures, peaks and valleys of the skull or other anomalies, and so forth. The surgeon may evaluate several potential implantation sites in the same fashion.
Optionally, the imaging system can provide information about a device configuration that will be suitable for a particular implantation site. The imaging system can determine whether a standard configuration of an IMD can be implanted at a particular site (180). In the event the imaging system determines that a standard configuration of an IMD can be implanted at the site, the imaging system can further inform the surgeon how a standard configuration of an IMD can be flexed, bent, trimmed or otherwise adjusted for implantation at the particular site (182). In the event the imaging system determines that a standard configuration of an IMD cannot be adjusted for implantation at the site, the imaging system can specify components or dimensions for a customized IMD (184).
The techniques of
Furthermore, the two paths shown in
In a typical embodiment, the imaging system is configured to display the IMD implanted at one or more sites. The invention encompasses embodiments, however, in which an image of the IMD is not incorporated with the hard- and soft-tissue image data.
The invention may also be embodied as a computer-readable medium that includes instructions for causing a programmable processor, such as a processor that processes the hard- and soft-tissue image data, to carry out the methods described above. A “computer-readable medium” includes but is not limited to read-only memory, Flash memory and a magnetic or optical storage medium. The instructions may be implemented as one or more software modules, which may be executed by themselves or in combination with other software.
Although the invention addresses various aspects of surgical strategies, the invention is not limited to the particular considerations described above. The selected site of cranial implantation of an IMD may be a function of factors other than or in addition to the patient's scalp thickness, skull thickness or skull contours. The selected site may be a function of the site of deployment of leads, for example, or the number of leads deployed. The surgeon may also weigh practical considerations pertaining to removal, or explantation, of the IMD after a time. In other words, a surgeon may select an implantation site that can be readily accessed in a future operation to remove the implanted device.
The invention supports implantation of an IMD that performs any of several functions. The invention supports explantation of IMDs that provide monitoring, IMDs that administer therapy, and IMDs that do both. The invention is not limited to any particular number of modules, or any particular arrangement of modules, or to any particular functionality.
Various embodiments of the invention have been described. As mentioned above, the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described or shown in the figures. These and other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A method comprising:
- receiving an image of a head of a patient;
- evaluating, as a function of the image, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation of an implantable medical device, the implantable medical device including a housing encasing control electronics, under a scalp of the patient; and
- implanting at least the housing of the implantable medical device under the scalp of the patient in the event the patient is determined to be a candidate for the implantation,
- wherein evaluating, as a function of the image, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation includes identifying, based on the image, one or more of skull curvature, skull thickness, scalp thickness, locations of one or more vascular structures within the scalp, or locations of one or more nerves within the scalp, and evaluating whether the patient is a candidate for implantation based on the one or more of the skull contour, skull thickness, scalp thickness, locations of one or more vascular structures within the scalp, or locations of one or more nerves within the scalp.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the image comprises receiving an image generated by at least one of X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, CT-scan or fluoroscopy.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising evaluating, as a function of the image, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation of the implantable medical device deployed in a recess created in the skull.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical device comprises a member that at least partially encapsulates the housing.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating, as a function of the image, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation includes evaluating, based on the image, whether there are any irregularities in the skull or the scalp of the patient that would impede implantation of the implantable medical device.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical device includes an implantable neurostimulator.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- generating a model of the skull of the patient as a function of the image of the head of the patient; and
- providing the implantable medical device as a function of the model of the skull.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein generating the model of the skull comprises generating a physical model of the skull, and
- wherein providing the implantable medical device comprises adjusting a standard configuration of the implantable medical device to fit the physical model of the skull.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein generating the model of the skull comprises generating a virtual model of the skull.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting, from a plurality of configurations of the implantable medical device, one of the configurations of the implantable medical device as a function of the image.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of configurations includes a configuration of at least three modules in a triangular configuration and a configuration of at least two modules in a linear configuration.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein selecting one of the configurations includes selecting the configuration as a function of one or more of skull contour, skull thickness, scalp thickness, locations of one or more vascular structures, or locations of one or more neurological structures indicated by the image.
13. The method of claim 1,
- wherein receiving an image of the head comprises receiving an image of a scalp of the patient; and
- wherein evaluating whether the patient is a candidate for implantation of the implantable medical device comprises evaluating, as a function of the image of the scalp, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation of the implantable medical device.
14. The method of claim 1, further comprising conditioning the scalp of the patient to receive the implantable medical device beneath the scalp.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein conditioning the scalp comprises:
- making an incision in the scalp of a head of a patient to create a scalp flap;
- exposing a skull beneath the scalp flap;
- creating a pocket between the scalp and the skull; and
- placing at least a portion of a dummy implantable medical device in the pocket the dummy implantable medical device having a first volume;
- covering at least a portion of the dummy implantable medical device with the scalp flap;
- suturing the scalp flap to close the incision; and
- expanding the dummy implantable medical device to a second volume following suturing.
16. The method of claim 1,
- further comprising evaluating skull contour data based on the image of the head; and
- selecting, as a function of the skull contour data, an implantation site for the implantable medical device.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein selecting, as a function of the skull contour data, an implantation site includes evaluating, based on the data, one or more of skull curvature and skull thickness.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein implanting at least the housing of the implantable medical device under the scalp of the patient comprises implanting at least the housing of the implantable medical device at the selected implantation site.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the image of the head comprises receiving a soft-tissue image of the head of the patient, the method further comprising:
- identifying physiological structures in the soft-tissue image; and
- selecting an incision site as a function of the physiological structures.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein identifying the physiological structures comprises identifying at least one of a vascular structure and a neurological structure.
21. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:
- receiving an implantation criterion; and
- proposing at least one implantation site for the implantable medical device under the scalp of the patient as a function of the image and the implantation criterion.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:
- receiving a second proposed implantation site for the implantable medical device; and
- disclosing to a user whether the second proposed implantation site satisfies the implantation criterion.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the implantation criterion comprises one or more attributes of skull curvature, skull thickness, scalp thickness, locations of one or more vascular structures in the scalp of the patient, locations of one or more neurological structures in the scalp of the patient, or potential incision locations.
24. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the image of the head of the patient comprises receiving a soft-tissue image and a hard-tissue image of the head of the patient, the method further comprising:
- receiving an indication of an implantation site for implantation of implantable medical device under the scalp of the patient; and
- disclosing information to a user about at least one feature of the head at the implantation site.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising disclosing to the user whether the implantation site satisfies an implantation criterion.
26. The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating, as a function of the image, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation includes identifying, based on the image, the skull curvature and evaluating whether the patient is a candidate for implantation based on the skull curvature.
27. The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating, as a function of the image, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation includes identifying, based on the image, the skull thickness and evaluating whether the patient is a candidate for implantation based on the skull thickness.
28. The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating, as a function of the image, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation includes identifying, based on the image, the scalp thickness and evaluating whether the patient is a candidate for implantation based on the scalp thickness.
29. The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating, as a function of the image, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation includes identifying, based on the image, the locations of one or more vascular structures within the scalp and evaluating whether the patient is a candidate for implantation based on the one or more vascular structures within the scalp.
30. The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating, as a function of the image, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation includes identifying, based on the image, the locations of one or more nerves within the scalp and evaluating whether the patient is a candidate for implantation based on the locations of one or more nerves within the scalp.
31. A method comprising:
- receiving an image of a head of a patient; and
- evaluating, as a function of the image, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation of an implantable medical device, the implantable medical device including a housing encasing control electronics, under the scalp of the patient,
- wherein evaluating, as a function of the image, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation includes identifying, based on the image, one or more of skull curvature, skull thickness, and scalp thickness, and evaluating whether the patient is a candidate for implantation based on the one or more of the skull curvature, skull thickness, and scalp thickness;
- determining, as a function of the image, that the patient is not a candidate for implantation of the implantable medical device under the scalp of the patient; and
- planning an implantation at another site within the patient.
32. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions for causing a programmable processor to:
- receive an image of a head of a patient; evaluate, as a function of the image, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation of an implantable medical device, the implantable medical device including a housing encasing control electronics, under a scalp of the patient; and
- disclose to a user whether the patient is a candidate for implantation of an implantable medical device based on the evaluation,
- wherein the instructions to evaluate, as a function of the image, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation include instructions to identify, based on the image, one or more of skull curvature, skull thickness, scalp thickness, locations of one or more vascular structures within the scalp, and locations of one or more nerves within the scalp, and instructions to evaluate whether the patient is a candidate for implantation based on the one or more of the skull contour, skull thickness, scalp thickness, locations of one or more vascular structures within the scalp, or locations of one or more nerves within the scalp.
33. The medium of claim 32, wherein receiving the image comprises receiving an image generated by at least one of X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, CT-scan or fluoroscopy.
34. The medium of claim 32, the instructions further causing the processor to evaluate, as a function of the image, whether the patient is a candidate for implantation of the implantable medical device deployed in a recess created in the skull.
35. The medium of claim 32, the instructions further causing the processor to evaluate, based on the image, whether there are any irregularities in the skull or the scalp of the patient that would impede implantation of the implantable medical device.
36. The medium of claim 32, the instructions further causing the processor to select, from a plurality of configurations of the implantable medical device, one of the configurations of the implantable medical device as a function of the image.
37. The medium of claim 36, wherein the plurality of configurations includes a configuration of at least three modules in a triangular configuration and a configuration of at least two modules in a linear configuration.
38. The medium of claim 36, wherein selecting one of the configurations includes selecting the configuration as a function of one or more of skull contour, skull thickness, scalp thickness, locations of one or more vascular structures, and locations of one or more neurological structures indicated by the image.
39. The medium of claim 32, wherein the image of the head of the patient includes an image of a scalp of the patient.
40. The medium of claim 32, the instructions further causing the processor to:
- evaluate skull contour data based on the image of the head; and
- propose, as a function of the skull contour data, an implantation site for the implantable medical device.
41. The medium of claim 32, the instructions further causing the processor to:
- receive implantation criterion; and
- propose at least one implantation site for the implantable medical device based on the implantation criterion and the one or more of skull contour, skull thickness, scalp thickness, locations of one or more vascular structures within the scalp, and locations of one or more nerves within the scalp.
42. The medium of claim 41, the instructions further causing the processor to propose a second implantation site for the implantable medical device based on the implantation criterion and the one or more of skull contour, skull thickness, scalp thickness, locations of one or more vascular structures within the scalp, and locations of one or more nerves within the scalp.
43. The medium of claim 41, wherein the implantation criterion comprises one or more attributes of skull curvature, skull thickness, scalp thickness, locations of one or more vascular structures, locations of one or more neurological structures or potential incision locations.
44. The medium of claim 32, the instructions further causing the processor to receive an indication of the implantation site from the user.
45. The medium of claim 32, wherein the image of the head of the patient includes a soft-tissue image and a hard-tissue image of the head of the patient.
46. The medium of claim 32, wherein the instructions to evaluate, as a function of the image, whether the implantation site satisfies the implantation criterion include instructions to identify, based on the image, the skull curvature and evaluate whether the implantation site satisfies the implantation criterion based on the skull curvature.
47. The medium of claim 32, wherein the instructions to evaluate, as a function of the image, whether the implantation site satisfies the implantation criterion include instructions to identify, based on the image, the skull thickness and evaluate whether the implantation site satisfies the implantation criterion based on the skull thickness.
48. The medium of claim 32, wherein the instructions to evaluate, as a function of the image, whether the implantation site satisfies the implantation criterion include instructions to identify, based on the image, the scalp thickness and evaluate whether the implantation site satisfies the implantation criterion based on the scalp thickness.
49. The medium of claim 32, wherein the instructions to evaluate, as a function of the image, whether the implantation site satisfies the implantation criterion include instructions to identify, based on the image, the locations of one or more vascular structures within the scalp and evaluate whether the implantation site satisfies the implantation criterion based on the locations of one or more vascular structures within the scalp.
50. The medium of claim 32, wherein the instructions to evaluate, as a function of the image, whether the implantation site satisfies the implantation criterion include instructions to identify, based on the image, the locations of one or more nerves within the scalp and evaluate whether the implantation site satisfies the implantation criterion based on the locations of one or more nerves within the scalp.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 10, 2009
Publication Date: Dec 3, 2009
Applicant: Medronic, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN)
Inventors: Ruchika Singhal (Minneapolis, MN), Carl D. Wahlstrand (Lino Lakes, MN), Robert M. Skime (Coon Rapids, MN), Steven J. Urquhart (Minneapolis, MN)
Application Number: 12/538,623
International Classification: A61B 5/00 (20060101); A61B 6/00 (20060101);