US 11,786,725 B2
Systems and methods for restoring muscle function to the lumbar spine and kits for implanting the same
John Beck, Ramsey, MN (US); Jason Skubitz, Arden Hills, MN (US); Peter Crosby, Blaine, MN (US); Henry Demorett, Prior Lake, MN (US); and Jason Alan Shiroff, Edina, MN (US)
Assigned to Mainstay Medical Limited, Dublin (IE)
Filed by Mainstay Medical Limited, Dublin (IE)
Filed on Jul. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/810,586.
Application 17/810,586 is a continuation of application No. 16/656,500, filed on Oct. 17, 2019, granted, now 11,376,427, issued on Jul. 5, 2022.
Application 16/656,500 is a continuation of application No. 15/948,945, filed on Apr. 9, 2018, granted, now 10,449,355, issued on Oct. 22, 2019.
Application 15/948,945 is a continuation of application No. 15/202,435, filed on Jul. 5, 2016, granted, now 9,950,159, issued on Apr. 24, 2018.
Application 15/202,435 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/792,430, filed on Jul. 6, 2015, granted, now 9,474,906, issued on Oct. 25, 2016.
Application 14/792,430 is a continuation of application No. 14/061,614, filed on Oct. 23, 2013, granted, now 9,072,897, issued on Jun. 19, 2018.
Application 15/948,945 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/797,100, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, granted, now 9,999,763.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/659,334, filed on Jun. 13, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2022/0355105 A1, Nov. 10, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61N 1/36 (2006.01); A61N 1/05 (2006.01); A61N 1/372 (2006.01); A61N 2/00 (2006.01); A61N 2/06 (2006.01)
CPC A61N 1/36003 (2013.01) [A61N 1/0558 (2013.01); A61N 1/36067 (2013.01); A61N 1/36071 (2013.01); A61N 1/36146 (2013.01); A61N 1/36167 (2013.01); A61N 1/37247 (2013.01); A61N 2/008 (2013.01); A61N 2/06 (2013.01); A61N 1/36157 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tunneler system for implanting an electrode lead in a patient's back, the tunneler system comprising:
a handle;
an elongated shaft;
a stopper positioned between the elongated shaft and the handle;
a threaded portion at a distal end of the elongated shaft;
a tunneler tip having a mating portion configured to be removably coupled to the threaded portion, the tunneler tip configured to create a subcutaneous passage; and
a sheath having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen configured to receive the threaded portion of the tunneler, the elongated shaft of the tunneler, and a proximal end of an electrode lead therethrough, the sheath sized and shaped to fit over the elongated shaft along an entire length of the sheath such that the sheath is disposed between the stopper and the threaded portion, the sheath further configured to be disposed temporarily in the subcutaneous passage.