IP Library Granted Patent US 8,954,164
Granted Patent B2
US 8,954,164 · App. 13/357,577 · Granted Feb 10, 2015

Electrical stimulator line protector

Inventor: Arnold B. Vardiman (San Antonio, TX)
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,954,164
App. No.
13/357,577
Filed
Jan 24, 2012
Granted
Feb 10, 2015
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3766
USPC
607/116
Abstract

An electrical stimulator line protector, comprising a case having an upper surface and a lower surface, the case configured for implantation in the scalp or other subcutaneous areas of a patient; a storage slot disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the case, the slot configured to allow at least one electrical line to coil therearound, the upper surface, the lower surface and the slot to thereby shield the line.

Claims (25)

1. An electrical stimulator line protector, comprising:

a case having an upper surface, an intermediate surface and a lower surface, the case configured for implantation in a scalp or other subcutaneous areas exterior to a patient's skull;

an entry port configured to allow at least one electric line to enter the case, the entry port configured to allow the at least one electrical line to electrically interconnect with an external energy source;

a storage slot disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the case, the storage slot configured to allow the at least one electrical line to pass therethrough the electrical stimulator line protector and also configured to store an excess length of the at least one electrical line so that if the at least one electrical line is exposed to a magnetic field, any electrical current generated is non-damaging to the patient;

a mouth configured to allow the at least one electrical line to exit the electrical stimulator line protector, the mouth configured to allow the at least one electrical line to electrically interconnect with an electrode located proximate an anatomic site in the patient's brain.

2. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 1 , wherein the case is formed from a bioabsorbable material.

3. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 2 , wherein the bioabsorbable material is selected from the group consisting of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), Polytheretherktones (PEEK) and High-performance polyethylene (UHMWPE).

4. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 1 , wherein the case is formed from a plastic material.

5. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 1 , wherein the slot is a channel for containing the at least one electrical line.

6. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 1 , wherein the upper surface is pivotally fastened to the intermediate surface.

7. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 1 , further comprising a gasket collar.

8. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 7 , wherein each port employs the gasket collar, the gasket collar configured to substantially prevent movement of a material from outside the electrical stimulator line protector to inside the electrical stimulator line protector.

9. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 7 , wherein each mouth employs the gasket collar, the gasket collar configured to substantially prevent movement of a material from outside the electrical stimulator line protector to inside the electrical stimulator line protector.

10. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 1 , wherein the lower surface is curved to conform to the shape of the patient's skull.

11. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 1 , wherein the case is rectangular.

12. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 1 , wherein the case is circular.

13. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 1 , wherein the case is oval.

14. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 1 , further comprising at least one anchor, the at least one anchor having a loop configured to permit a surgeon to fasten the electrical stimulator line protector to the patient's tissue.

15. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 14 , wherein the at least one anchor is a plurality of anchors.

16. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 2 , wherein the bioabsorbable material is a bioabsorbable polymer.

17. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 14 , wherein the at least one anchor is formed from a bioabsorbable material.

18. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 17 , wherein the bioabsorbable material is selected from the group consisting of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), Polytheretherktones (PEEK) and High-performance polyethylene (UHMWPE).

19. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrical line is a pair of electrical lines.

20. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 19 , further comprising a distinguishable label for each of the pair of electrical lines.

21. The electrical stimulator line protector of claim 20 , wherein the distinguishable label is selected from the group consisting of: text, colors, markings and anatomical site.

Continuity (10)
Continuation In Part 12790841 · May 30, 2010
Continuation 11255259 · Oct 21, 2005
Continuation 13357577
Continuation In Part 12790842 · May 30, 2010
Division 11255259 · Oct 21, 2005
Division 13357577
Continuation In Part 12790843 · May 30, 2010
Division 11255259 · Oct 21, 2005
Provisional Application 60620905 · Oct 21, 2004
Related Publication 20130188291A1 · Jul 25, 2013