Burr hole plug designs

Abstract

A burr hole plug comprises a plug base including a flange configured for being mounted around a burr hole, an aperture through which an elongated medical device may pass, and tabs configured for extending within the cranial burr hole to center the plug base relative to the cranial burr hole. The burr hole plug further comprises a retainer configured for being mounted within the aperture of the plug base to secure the medical device. A method may comprise locating the plug base within a burr hole, such that the tabs are disposed within the burr hole to center the plug base relative to the cranial burr hole, introducing the elongated medical device through the cranial burr hole and into the brain tissue of the patient, mounting the retainer within the aperture of the plug base, and actuating the retainer to secure the medical device.

1 . A cranial burr hole plug, comprising:
 a plug base including a flange configured for being mounted around a cranial burr hole, an aperture through which an elongated medical device exiting the burr hole may pass, and a plurality of tabs configured for extending within the cranial burr hole to center the plug base relative to the cranial burr hole; and   a retainer configured for being mounted within the aperture of the plug base to secure the medical device.   
   
   
       2 . The burr hole plug of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture of the plug base is circular. 
   
   
       3 . The burr hole plug of  claim 1 , wherein the greatest dimension of the aperture in equal to or less than 25 mm. 
   
   
       4 . The burr hole plug of  claim 1 , wherein the plug base includes an open slot configured for laterally receiving the medical device. 
   
   
       5 . The burr hole plug of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tabs comprises at least three tabs. 
   
   
       6 . The burr hole plug of  claim 1 , wherein the tabs are disposed on a bottom surface of the plug base flange. 
   
   
       7 . The burr hole plug of  claim 2 , wherein the tabs are coincident with the aperture. 
   
   
       8 . The burr hole plug of  claim 2 , wherein the retainer is configured for being removably mounted within the aperture of the plug base. 
   
   
       9 . The burr hole plug of  claim 2 , wherein the plug base includes at least one inner annular ledge configured for supporting the retainer when mounted within the aperture of the plug base. 
   
   
       10 . The burr hole plug of  claim 2 , wherein the retainer further includes a retainer support and a slot formed in the retainer support for receiving the medical device. 
   
   
       11 . The burr hole plug of  claim 10 , wherein the retainer includes a clamping mechanism configured for applying a clamping force to the medical device received within the slot. 
   
   
       12 . The burr hole plug of  claim 11 , wherein the clamping mechanism includes a clamping bar configured for engaging the medical device, and a locking element configured for locking the clamping bar relative to the retainer support when the medical device is secured. 
   
   
       13 . The burr hole plug of  claim 11 , wherein the retainer support is a disk. 
   
   
       14 . The burr hole plug of  claim 1 , further comprising fasteners configured for anchoring the plug base to a cranium of a patient. 
   
   
       15 . The burr hole plug of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap configured for being mounted to the plug base over the retainer. 
   
   
       16 . The burr hole plug of  claim 14 , wherein the plug base has an exit groove configured for seating the medical device, and wherein the cap is configured for firmly securing the medical device within the exit groove when the cap is mounted to the plug base. 
   
   
       17 . A method of performing a medical procedure on a patient, comprising:
 providing a plug base including a flange, an aperture, and a plurality of tabs;   locating a plug base within a cranial burr hole, such that the flange is disposed about the cranial burr hole, and the tabs are disposed within the burr hole to center the plug base relative to the cranial burr hole;   anchoring the plug base relative to the cranial burr hole;   introducing an elongated medical device through the cranial burr hole and into the brain tissue of the patient, wherein the medical device exits the cranial burr hole through the aperture of the plug base;   mounting a retainer within the aperture of the plug base; and   actuating the retainer to secure the medical device.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the tabs are equally spaced apart around the circumference of the cranial burr hole. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the tabs are disposed on a bottom surface of the plug base flange. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the medical device is an electrical lead. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the plug base includes an open slot form in the plug base flange, the method further comprising laterally introducing the medical device within the slot. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the plug base is mounted around the cranial burr hole after the medical device is introduced through the burr hole into the brain tissue of the patient. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising mounting a cap to the plug base over the retainer. 
   
   
       24 .- 171 . (canceled)