Axial to planar lead conversion device and method
An adapter is used to convert a stand-alone, percutaneous (axial) lead to a planar lead. The adapter has at least one channel for accepting at least one percutaneous lead within the at least one channel and capturing the lead, thereby transforming the stand-alone, percutaneous lead into a functional planar lead.
1 . A lead adapter configured to transform at least one axial lead to a planar lead.
2 . The lead adapter of claim 1 further comprising:
at least one open channel, wherein the at least one channel is configured to hold the at least one axial lead.
3 . The lead adapter of claim 2 wherein the at least one channel is configured to hold the at least one lead flush on its distal tip with one end of the channel.
4 . The lead adapter of claim 2 wherein the at least one channel extends completely across the adapter from one edge to another edge.
5 . The lead adapter of claim 2 wherein the at least one channel has a cross-section with an identifiable diameter.
6 . The lead adapter of claim 1 further comprising:
at least two open channels, wherein the at least two channels are spaced essentially in parallel.
7 . The lead adapter of claim 1 wherein the adapter is at least one of solid, semi-solid, and fillable.
8 . The lead adapter of claim 7 wherein the adapter is filled with at least one of a biocompatible liquid and gas.
9 . The lead adapter of claim 8 wherein the adapter is filled with at least one of saline solution, oil, and air.
10 . The lead adapter of claim 1 further including a placement device.
11 . The lead adapter of claim 10 wherein the placement device is integral to the lead adapter.
12 . The lead adapter of claim 10 wherein the placement device is optionally attachable to the lead adapter.
13 . The lead adapter of claim 10 wherein the placement device includes means for securing the placement device to the lead adapter.
14 . The lead adapter of claim 10 wherein the placement device is at least one of solid, semi-solid, and fillable.
15 . The lead adapter of claim 14 wherein the placement device is filled with at least one of a biocompatible liquid and gas.
16 . The lead adapter of claim 14 wherein the placement device is filled with at least one of saline solution, oil, and air.
17 . A method of adapting a free-standing axial lead to a planar lead, the method comprising:
providing a free-standing, axial lead;
providing an adapter having at least one channel, wherein the channel is dimensioned to accept and capture the axial lead; and
inserting the axial lead into the adapter channel.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the channel is an open channel.
19 . A planar lead comprising:
an axial lead configured to be used as a stand-alone lead; and
an adapter having at least one channel dimensioned to accept and capture the axial lead,
wherein the axial lead is inserted into the adapter channel to provide a planar lead.
20 . The planar lead of claim 19 , wherein the adapter includes a second channel dimensioned to accept and capture a second axial lead.