72 results about "Burr holes" patented technology

Apparatus and methods for securing a therapy delivery device relative to a burr hole. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a base that is securable to bone, without the use of fasteners, either before or after insertion of the therapy delivery device into the burr hole. The apparatus may further include a stabilizer that may be engaged with both the base and the therapy delivery device while the delivery device is held with positioning apparatus. The base and / or stabilizer may frictionally engage the delivery device, e.g., receive it with interference, to secure the device in two or more non-parallel directions. In some embodiments, at least the stabilizer may include a surface coating or treatment operable to enhance frictional engagement with the therapy delivery device.

A method and system to determine brain stiffness is disclosed. A probe to measure tissue water content is inserted through an aperture (burr hole) in the cranium into brain tissue. The probe has two electrically separated plate conductors with a dielectric which forms a capacitor plane. One conductor has a surface mount resistor to allow exact impedance matching to the core of a coaxial cable. The other conductor attaches electrically to the shield of the coaxial cable. The probe is stabilized in the brain tissue through a plastic ventriculostomy bolt which has been secured by screw tapping into the cranium. The coaxial cable connects to a spectrum analyzer. Brain water content and blood congestion alter the resonant frequency of the probe, allowing a realtime readout of apparent tissue water content. By monitoring the momentary shift in center resonant frequency or, alternatively, the standing wave ratio slightly off resonant frequency, a beat-to-beat pulsatile waveform is derived relating to the perfusion of the brain. A strain gauge intracranial pressure sensor (ICP) is separately affixed through the bolt and adjacent to the water content probe. By comparing the phase angle or lag time difference between the pressure tracing and the perfusion tracing, a realtime measurement of organ stiffness or compliance is derived.

According to one embodiment, a neurological stimulation system includes an electrical stimulation lead suited for implantation into the epidural space overlying the medulla for stimulation of nerve tissue in the brain stem. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes suited to be positioned in the epidural space overlying the medulla and to deliver stimulation energy to the nerve tissue. The system also includes a stimulation source suited for implantation into the person's body and operable to generate signals for transmission to the electrodes of the lead positioned in the epidural space overlying the medulla to cause the electrodes to deliver stimulation energy to the nerve tissue. In a particular embodiment, the lead may be suited for implantation posteriorly on, in, or near the brain stem overlying the medulla. In a particular embodiment, the lead may be inserted through an open craniotomy or a burr hole located approximately over the junction of the occiput and the first or second cervical vertebrae.

A cranial burr hole plug with an insertion tool and method of implantation is provided. The burr hole plug includes a shell; a collet interlocked within the shell; a clamp compressing the collet around an elongated medical device exiting the skull of a patient, such as a catheter or lead; and a cover over the clamp, collet, and shell. The insertion tool inserts the collet within the shell and locks the collet around the clamp. The method of implantation includes inserting the burr hole plug components in a cranial burr hole using the insertion tool and securing the exiting medical device without disturbing the position of the medical device.

A burr hole plug comprises a plug base configured for being mounted around a burr hole. The plug base includes an aperture through which an elongated medical device exiting the burr hole may pass. The burr hole plug further comprises a retainer configured for being mounted within the aperture of the plug base. The retainer further includes first and second slidable clamping mechanisms configured for securing the medical devices therebetween within the aperture of the plug base. A method comprises introducing the medical device through the burr hole, mounting a plug base around the burr hole, such that the medical device extends through the plug base aperture, mounting the retainer within the aperture of the plug base, and sliding the first and second clamping mechanisms secure the medical device therebetween.