SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXTRACTING AN ELECTRODE LEAD

1 . A method for extracting an electrode lead implanted at an implantation site in a patient's body via at least one fixation element, the method comprising:

exposing a proximal end of the electrode lead from the patient's body;

advancing a dilator distally over the proximal end of the electrode lead to thereby separate tissue surrounding the electrode lead;

advancing a trephine distally over a proximal end of the dilator to position a distal end of the trephine adjacent to the at least one fixation element;

operating the trephine such that a cutting edge at the distal end of the trephine separates tissue surrounding the at least one fixation element to thereby dislodge the electrode lead from the implantation site; and

removing the electrode lead, the dilator, and the trephine from the patient's body.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein exposing the proximal end of the electrode lead from the patient's body comprises decoupling the proximal end of the electrode lead from a pulse generator.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein advancing the dilator distally over the proximal end of the electrode lead comprises rotating the dilator as the dilator is advanced distally to facilitate separation of the tissue surrounding the electrode lead.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein advancing the dilator distally over the proximal end of the electrode lead comprises gripping a textured surface disposed at a proximal region of the dilator.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein advancing the trephine distally to position the distal end of the trephine adjacent to the at least one fixation element comprises aligning the cutting edge of the trephine and a distal end of the dilator.

6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising verifying the alignment of the cutting edge of the trephine and the distal end of the dilator.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein verifying the alignment of the cutting edge of the trephine and the distal end of the dilator comprises observing an alignment of a proximal end of the trephine with an alignment marker disposed at a proximal region of the dilator.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein operating the trephine comprises rotating the trephine as the trephine is advanced distally to facilitate separation of the tissue surrounding the at least one fixation element.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein operating the trephine such that the cutting edge separates tissue surrounding the at least one fixation element comprises operating the trephine such that the cutting edge cuts the tissue surrounding the at least one fixation element to thereby dislodge the electrode lead from the implantation site.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein operating the trephine such that the cutting edge separates tissue surrounding the at least one fixation element comprises operating the trephine such that the cutting edge cuts at least a portion of the at least one fixation element to facilitate dislodgement of the electrode lead.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein operating the trephine comprises advancing the trephine until the at least one fixation element is disposed within a lumen of the trephine.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising verifying that the at least one fixation element is disposed within the lumen of the trephine via fluoroscopy.

13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fixation element comprises a proximal fixation element and a distal fixation element, and

wherein advancing the dilator distally comprises advancing the dilator distally over the proximal fixation element to thereby collapse the proximal fixation element within a lumen of the dilator.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising verifying collapse of the proximal fixation element within the lumen of the dilator via fluoroscopy.

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein operating the trephine comprises operating the trephine such that the cutting edge separates tissue surrounding the distal fixation element to thereby dislodge the electrode lead from the implantation site.

16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

prior to advancing the dilator distally over the proximal end of the electrode lead, advancing a sheath distally over a proximal end of the electrode lead until a distal end of the sheath abuts a collar of the proximal fixation element,

wherein advancing the dilator distally over the proximal end of the electrode lead comprises advancing the dilator distally over the proximal end of the sheath.

17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein removing the electrode lead, the dilator, and the trephine from the patient's body comprises:

removing the electrode lead and dilator proximally through the lumen of the trephine; and

removing the trephine from the patient's body.

18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implantation site comprises at least one of a multifidus, transverse abdominus, quadratus lumborum, psoas major, internus abdominus, obliquus externus abdominus, or erector spinae muscle.

19 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

prior to advancing the dilator distally over the proximal end of the electrode lead, advancing a sheath distally over the proximal end of the electrode lead until a distal end of the sheath abuts the at least one fixation element,

wherein advancing the dilator distally over the proximal end of the electrode lead comprises advancing the dilator distally over the proximal end of the sheath.

20 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising inserting a stylet within a lumen of the electrode lead to facilitate extraction of the electrode lead.