Neurostimulation lead with stiffened proximal array

• US 10,391,304 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2016
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Flowers, Matthew Braden, Barker, John Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Abreu, Michael J D
• Application Number:
  US15/206,073
• Publication Number:
  US 20160317804A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,145 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0059 having means for preventing the catheter, sheath or lumens from collapsing due to outer forces, e.g. compressing forces, or caused by twisting or kinking
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections

Abstract

An implantable electrical lead is provided. The electrical lead comprises an electrically insulative, flexible, elongated lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, an electrical contact carried by the distal end of the lead body, an electrical terminal carried by the proximal end of the lead body, an electrical conductor axially extending within the lead body between the electrical contact and the electrical terminal, and a stiffening tube extending within the proximal end of the lead body from a point proximal to the terminal to a point distal to the terminal and proximal to the electrode. An implantable lead assembly kit comprises the implantable electrical lead, and a connector configured for firmly receiving the proximal end of the lead body. A method of implanting the electrical lead comprises introducing the electrical lead into a patient.

Claims

1. An implantable electrical lead, comprising:

a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end;

a plurality of contacts disposed along the distal end of the lead body;

a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead body;

a plurality of conductors axially extending within the lead body and coupling the contacts to the terminals; and

a stiffening tube disposed within the proximal end of the lead body and beneath at least one of the terminals, wherein the stiffening tube defines a lumen extending through the stiffening tube and the stiffening tube terminates proximal to all of the contacts.

2. The implantable electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the lead body defines a central lumen extending from a proximal end of the lead body.

3. The implantable electrical lead of claim 2, wherein the stiffening tube has an inner diameter equal to a diameter of the central lumen.

4. The implantable electrical lead of claim 2, wherein the stiffening tube is disposed within the central lumen.

5. The implantable electrical lead of claim 4, wherein the stiffening tube has an outer diameter equal to a diameter of the central lumen.

6. A neurostimulation system, comprising:

the implantable electrical lead of claim 1; and

a connector configured for receiving the proximal end of the lead body, such that the connector is electrically coupled to the terminals of the implantable electrical lead.

7. The neurostimulation system of claim 6, wherein the stiffening tube is configured for being completely disposed within the connector when the proximal end of the lead body is fully received within the connector.

8. The neurostimulation system of claim 6, further comprising a neurostimulator, wherein the connector is part of the neurostimulator.

9. The neurostimulation system of claim 6, further comprising an extension lead that carries the connector, wherein the implantable electrical lead is a stimulation lead.

10. The implantable electrical lead of claim 1, wherein a portion of the stiffening tube forms a coil.

11. The implantable electrical lead of claim 10, wherein the coil is a distal portion of the stiffening tube.

12. The implantable electrical lead of claim 10, wherein the portion of the stiffening tube is laser cut into the coil.

13. The implantable electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the stiffening tube is disposed beneath all of the terminals.

14. The implantable electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the stiffening tube is composed of a metallic material.

15. The implantable electrical lead of claim 1, further comprising a coil affixed to the stiffening tube.

16. The implantable electrical lead of claim 1, further comprising a retention sleeve mounted to the proximal end of the lead body distal to the terminals, wherein the stiffening tube terminates in the lead body at or distal to the retention sleeve.

17. The implantable electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the stiffening tube extends from a point proximal to the terminals to a point just distal to the terminals.

18. The implantable electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the stiffening tube is made of a material having a higher stiffness than the lead body.

19. The implantable electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the contacts are electrodes and the implantable electrical lead is a stimulation lead.

20. The implantable electrical lead of claim 1, further comprising a connector disposed along the distal end of the lead body, wherein the implantable electrical lead is an extension lead.