Insertion of medical devices through non-orthogonal and orthogonal trajectories within the cranium and methods of using

Abstract

The invention comprises an elongated device adapted for insertion, including self-insertion, through the body, especially the skull. The device has at least one effector or sensor and is configured to permit implantation of multiple functional components through a single entry site into the skull by directing the components at different angles. The device may be used to provide electrical, magnetic, and other stimulation therapy to a patient's brain. The lengths of the effectors, sensors, and other components may completely traverse skull thickness (at a diagonal angle) to barely protrude through to the brain's cortex. The components may directly contact the brain's cortex, but from there their signals can be directed to targets deeper within the brain. Effector lengths are directly proportional to their battery size and ability to store charge. Therefore, longer angled electrode effectors not limited by skull thickness permit longer-lasting batteries which expand treatment options.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A device that creates an effect on a target site or that gathers data about a target site in a patient's body, comprising:
 a first shaft configured to be inserted through skin, muscle, tissue, bone, or skull; and   at least one component, including an effector and/or sensor, housed within, passing through, or attached to the first shaft;   wherein the shaft is configured to be self-inserting through an entry site in an absence of a premade hole, said first shaft having a diameter of less than 1 cm.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first shaft is configured to be self-inserting, at the entry site, orthogonally to a tangent of a surface at the entry site. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first shaft is configured to be self-inserting, at the entry site, at an angle between parallel and perpendicular to a tangent of a surface at the entry site. 
     
     
         5 . A system of devices according to  claim 2 , wherein two or more devices are configured to be inserted through the entry site, such that the entry site is common to two or more devices. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein at least one device is configured to be inserted orthogonally to a tangent of a surface at the entry site. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein each device comprises a single shaft and all components of that device are housed within that shaft. 
     
     
         8 . A method of creating an effect on a target site using the device of  claim 2 , wherein the device has at least one effector, comprising:
 inserting the device of  claim 2  at an oblique angle at the entry site; and   activating the effector.   
     
     
         9 . A method of gathering data about a target site using the device of  claim 2 , wherein the device has at least one sensor, comprising:
 inserting the device of  claim 2  at an oblique angle at the entry site; and   receiving data through the sensor.