Lead anchors and systems and methods employing the lead anchors

Abstract

A lead anchor including a body having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end is disclosed. The body defines a lead lumen extending from the first to the second end and can receive a lead. The lead anchor also includes a fastening mechanism disposed in the body and in communication with the lead lumen. The fastening mechanism can fasten the received lead to the lead anchor when actuated by a user. The lead anchor also includes tabs(s) extending from the body and tags. Each tag includes an anchor attachment element and a cylindrical implantation element coupled to the anchor attachment element. The anchor attachment element is affixed to one of the tabs. The cylindrical implantation element anchors the lead anchor into patient tissue by insertion of the implantation element into the patient tissue using a needle insertion tool.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
         1 . A lead anchor comprising:
 a first body having a top surface, a first end, and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the top surface of the first body is non-flat with at least one peak or trough and the top surface is configured and arranged to receive a portion of a lead disposed on the top surface from the first end to the second end; and   a second body having a bottom surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the bottom surface of the second body conforms to the top surface of the first body so that the first and second bodies can be bound together to hold the lead between the first and second bodies.   
     
     
         2 . The lead anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the first body comprises at least one tab extending from the first body, each tab comprising an opening through the tab. 
     
     
         3 . The lead anchor of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one suture groove formed on an exterior surface of at least one of the first body or the second body. 
     
     
         4 . The lead anchor of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one suture groove comprises two suture grooves disposed on opposing end portions of the exterior surface of the at least one of the first body or the second body. 
     
     
         5 . The lead anchor of  claim 4 , wherein one of the first body or the second body comprises two suture tabs extending therefrom, each of the suture tabs comprising an opening through the suture tab for passage of a suture therethrough and each of the suture tabs configured and arranged to align with one of the suture grooves when the first and second bodies are bound together. 
     
     
         6 . The lead anchor of  claim 1 , further comprising a lead groove disposed along at least one of the top surface of the first body or the bottom surface of the second body to receive a lead within the groove. 
     
     
         7 . The lead anchor of  claim 1 , further comprising a first lead groove disposed along the top surface of the first body and a second lead groove disposed along the bottom surface of the second body. 
     
     
         8 . The lead anchor of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge coupling the first body to the second body. 
     
     
         9 . The lead anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the first body has at least one peak and at least one trough. 
     
     
         10 . The lead anchor of  claim 9 , wherein the top surface of the first body has at least two troughs. 
     
     
         11 . A kit, comprising:
 the lead anchor of  claim 1 ; and   an implantable electrical stimulation lead coupleable to the lead anchor.   
     
     
         12 . A method of anchoring a lead, the method comprising:
 positioning a portion of an electrical stimulation lead on the top surface of the first body of the lead anchor of  claim 1 ;   placing the second body onto the first body;   binding the first and second bodies together to hold the lead between the first and second bodies.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising suturing the lead anchor to the patient tissue using a suture that passes around the first and second bodies. 
     
     
         14 . A kit, comprising:
 the lead anchor of  claim 2 ; and   at least one anchoring tag, each anchoring tag comprising an anchor attachment element and a cylindrical implantation element coupled to the anchor attachment element, wherein the anchor attachment element is configured and arranged for insertion through one of the tabs of the lead anchor and the cylindrical implantation element is configured and arranged to anchor the lead anchor into patient tissue by insertion of the cylindrical implantation element into the patient tissue using a needle insertion tool.   
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , further comprising a needle insertion tool for implanting the cylindrical implantation element of the at least one anchoring tag. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 14 , further comprising an implantable electrical stimulation lead coupleable to the lead anchor. 
     
     
         17 . A method of anchoring a lead using the kit of  claim 14 , the method comprising:
 positioning a portion of an electrical stimulation lead on the top surface of the first body of the lead anchor;   placing the second body onto the first body;   binding the first and second bodies together to hold the lead between the first and second bodies;   loading the cylindrical implantation element of at least one of the at least one anchoring tag into a needle insertion tool;   delivering the cylindrical implantation element of at least one of the at least one anchoring tag through a one of the at least one tab of the lead anchor into patient tissue using a needle insertion tool; and   releasing the cylindrical implantation element within the patient tissue to anchor the lead anchor and lead to the patient tissue.   
     
     
         18 . A kit, comprising;
 an implantable electrical stimulation lead comprising
 at least one lead body having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a longitudinal length, 
 a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end portion of the at least one lead body, 
 a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end portion of the at least one lead body, and 
 a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of terminals to the plurality of electrodes; and 
   an elastic suture ring configured and arranged to disposed on, and compressively engage, a portion of the lead, the suture ring comprising two circumferential ridges separated by a suture groove.   
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein the suture ring is expandable to permit passage of the lead therethrough for positioning the suture ring on the lead. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 18 , further comprising a control module coupleable to the lead.