Insertion tools and methods for an electrical stimulation implant

Abstract

In some embodiments, a method includes inserting at least a distal end portion of an insertion tool within a body. The distal end portion of the insertion tool is coupled to an electronic implant having a stimulation portion, a terminal portion and a substantially flexible conductor disposed between the stimulation portion and the terminal portion. The distal end portion of the insertion tool is moved within the body such that the stimulation portion of the electronic implant is disposed adjacent a target location and the terminal portion of the electronic implant is disposed beneath a skin of the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 inserting at least a distal end portion of an insertion tool within a body, the distal end portion of the insertion tool coupled to an electronic implant, the electronic implant having a stimulation portion, a terminal portion, and a substantially flexible conductor disposed between the stimulation portion and the terminal portion; and   moving the distal end portion of the insertion tool within the body such that the stimulation portion of the electronic implant is disposed adjacent a target location and the terminal portion of the electronic implant is disposed beneath a skin of the body.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the moving includes:
 defining a path within the body using the insertion tool; and   moving the distal end portion of the insertion tool such that the stimulation portion of the electronic implant is disposed within the path and the terminal portion of the electronic implant is disposed within the path.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the moving includes moving the distal end portion of the insertion tool such that the stimulation portion of the electronic implant is disposed apart from the target location by a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the moving includes moving the distal end portion of the insertion tool such that the stimulation portion of the electronic implant is in contact with the target location. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the moving includes moving the distal end portion of the insertion tool such that the terminal portion is a predetermined depth below an outer surface of the skin of the body. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inserting includes inserting the insertion tool such that a longitudinal axis of the insertion tool is offset from an outer surface of the skin of the body by an angle less than 30 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target location is one of a median nerve, a peripheral nerve and a superficially located nerve. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the insertion tool includes an insertion member and a guide member;   the inserting includes inserting the insertion member of the insertion tool within the body; and   the moving the distal end portion of the insertion tool within the body includes moving the guide member along an outer surface of the skin of the body such that the insertion member is moved within the body along a predetermined path.   
     
     
         9 . A method, comprising:
 operatively coupling an electrical device disposed outside of a body to a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode coupled to a first portion of a skin of the body, the second electrode coupled to the second portion of the skin of the body;   conveying an electrical signal from the electrical device into the body via the first electrode such that a first portion of the electrical signal travels within the body along a first path and a second portion of the electrical signal travels within the body along a second path,   the first path including the first portion of the skin, the second portion of the skin and a target location within the body, the second path including the first portion of the skin, the second portion of the skin and an electronic implant disposed within the body.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the conveying includes conveying the electrical signal transcutaneously. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the target location is one of a median nerve, a peripheral nerve and a superficially located nerve. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second path includes a terminal portion of the electronic implant. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode are disposed on an outer surface of the skin directly above a terminal portion of the electronic implant. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode are disposed on an outer surface of the skin directly above the target location. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second path includes a terminal portion of the electronic implant, the electronic implant includes a stimulation portion disposed adjacent the target location. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first path is a first stimulation path and the second path is a second stimulation path. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an implant delivery tool configured to deliver at least a portion of an electronic implant within a body, the implant delivery tool having
 a guide member configured to be moved along an outer surface of the body between a first position and a second position, the second position being laterally spaced from the first position, 
 an insertion member coupled to the guide member such that (1) an angle is formed between a proximal end portion of the insertion member and a proximal end portion of the guide member, and (2) the portion of the electronic implant can be delivered at a predetermined insertion angle of up to 30 degrees with respect to the outer surface of the body, and 
 a handle coupled to the guide member and the insertion member, the handle configured to selectively adjust the angle formed between the proximal end portion of the insertion member and the proximal end portion of the guide member.