Electrode lead including a deployable tissue anchor

Abstract

In a method, an electrode lead is provided that includes a tubular lead body, an electrode supported by the lead body, a rotatable member, a deployable member and a deployment mechanism. The rotatable member is contained within a distal end of the tubular lead body. The deployable member is attached to the rotatable member and comprises a tissue anchor that includes mesh. Also in the method, the distal end of the tubular lead body is positioned proximate target tissue of a patient. The rotatable member is rotated relative to the tubular lead body. The deployable member is driven along the central axis, out the distal end of the tubular lead body, and into the target tissue using the deployment mechanism responsive to the rotation of the rotatable member. The deployment member does not rotate about the central axis with the rotation of the rotatable member.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 providing and electrode lead comprising:
 a tubular lead body; 
 an electrode supported by the lead body; 
 a rotatable member within a distal end of the tubular lead body; 
 a deployable member attached to the rotatable member and comprising a tissue anchor, the tissue anchor comprising mesh; and 
 a deployment mechanism; 
   positioning the distal end of the tubular lead body proximate target tissue of a patient;   rotating the rotatable member relative to the tubular lead body; and   driving the deployable member along the central axis out the distal end of the tubular lead body and into the target tissue using the deployment mechanism responsive to rotating the rotatable member;   wherein the deployable member does not rotate about the central axis with the rotation of the rotatable member.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising driving the anchor into the target tissue responsive to driving the deployable member along the central axis. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the deployable member includes the electrode. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the deployment mechanism comprises:
 a first threaded section attached to the rotatable member; and 
 a second threaded section attached to the deployable member that intermeshes with the first threaded section; and 
   driving the deployable member along the central axis comprises intermeshing the first and second threaded sections during rotation of the rotatable member.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the deployment mechanism comprises:
 a first threaded section on an interior wall of the tubular lead body; and 
 a second threaded section on an exterior wall of the rotatable member that intermeshes with the first threaded section; 
   driving the deployable member along the central axis comprises intermeshing the first and second threaded sections during rotation of the rotatable member.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the electrode is attached to the mesh; and   the method comprises delivering electrical signals to the electrode.