Surgical Procedures
37
RNS
®
System User Manual
2. Before placing the insertion cannula onto the frame, insert the depth lead into the insertion
cannula and place the stop gauge (provided) on the lead directly above the cannula, such
that the lead tip will reach the implant target after the lead is fully advanced down the
cannula. The stop gauge should meet the top of the cannula once the lead is advanced the
desired distance (Figure 8).
Figure 8: Position the stop gauge directly above the insertion cannula in order to gauge the full insertion distance
of the depth lead.
3. Retract the lead (with stylet and stop gauge intact) from the insertion cannula and set the
lead aside.
4. Attach the insertion cannula to the frame.
5. Using standard surgical techniques, prepare the neural tissue for the depth lead implant.
6. Advance the insertion cannula to the desired depth with the insertion cannula stylet in place
to seal the insertion cannula lumen. Then remove the insertion cannula stylet and insert the
depth lead (with the lead stylet and stop gauge in place) into the insertion cannula.
Precaution: Lead Damage
Bending, kinking, and stretching of the lead may cause lead damage. Handle
the lead with care.
7. Advance the lead into the neural tissue until the stop gauge has reached the top of the
insertion cannula.
8. Verify that the lead is in the desired anatomical position.
Depth Lead Stabilization
1. Remove the stop gauge and frame components from the lead.
2. While holding the lead in place at the skull, disengage the stylet from the lead by pinching the
stylet retainer and gently pulling the stylet away from the lead body.
Note: Do not reinsert the stylet into the lead after it has been removed.
3. Gently pull the insertion cannula up over the lead (Figure 9) while stabilizing the lead at the
burr hole to avoid lead migration.
