Implantable reel for coiling an implantable member

Abstract

An implantable spool is used for spooling the excess wiring associated with a lead that extends between at least one electrode and a pulse generator of an electrical stimulation implant system. The present invention also has application to providing a spool for coiling tubing of an implantable drug delivery system. Embodiments of the invention include a method of implanting an implantable system in a body, wherein the implantable system includes a source unit and an elongated member. A method of assembling an implantable system is also described.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method of installing an implantable system in a body, comprising:
 (a) causing at least first and second incisions to be made in the body;   (b) inserting:
 (i) a source unit within the body at the first incision; and 
 (ii) an elongated member within the body at at least one of the first incision and the second incision, wherein the elongated member is connected to the source unit; 
   (c) winding at least a portion of the elongated member around a spool;   (d) implanting the spool within the body at one of:
 (i) said first incision; 
 (ii) said second incision; and 
 (iii) a third incision in the body; and 
   (c) applying a cap to cover at least a portion of a circumferential edge of the spool.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said source unit comprises at least one of a pulse generator and a drug reservoir. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said elongated member comprises at least one of an electrical lead and a tubing. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said winding occurs before at least one of said inserting and said implanting. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said implanting occurs before at least one of said inserting and said winding. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising inserting at least a portion of said elongated member into a groove of the spool. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising attaching the spool to a tissue of the body. 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A method of installing an implantable system in a body, comprising:
 (a) implanting:
 (i) a source unit within the body at a first incision; and 
 (ii) an elongated member within the body at at least one of the first incision and a second incision, wherein the elongated member is connected to the source unit; 
   (b) winding at least a portion of the elongated member around a spool;   (c) implanting the spool within the body at one of:
 (i) a first incision; 
 (ii) a second incision; and 
 (iii) a third incision in the body; and 
   (d) causing a pair of cap portions to cover portions of a winding channel of the spool, wherein the elongated member enters a first gap and exits a second gap associated with the pair of cap portions.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said source unit comprises at least one of a pulse generator and a drug reservoir. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said elongated member comprises at least one of an electrical lead and a tubing. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said winding occurs before implanting the spool. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising inserting at least a portion of said elongated member into a groove of the spool. 
     
     
         42 . A method of installing an implantable system in a body, comprising:
 (a) implanting a source unit and at least a first portion of an elongated member within the body, wherein the elongated member is connected to the source unit;   (b) winding at least a second portion of the elongated member around a spool;   (c) implanting the spool within the body; and   (d) applying a cap to cover portions of a winding channel of the spool.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the elongated member enters a first gap and exits a second gap associated with the cap. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said source unit comprises at least one of a pulse generator and a drug reservoir. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said elongated member comprises at least one of an electrical lead and a tubing. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said winding occurs before implanting the spool.