Electrode assemblies, methods, and components thereof for implantable medical electrical leads
First Claim
1. An electrode assembly for an implantable medical electrical lead, the assembly comprising:
- at least one core member formed from an insulating material, the at least one core member defining a central longitudinally extending lumen of the assembly, and each of the at least one core member including a plurality of longitudinally extending channels arrayed around a circumference of the central lumen, each channel having an opening that extends along an entire length thereof;
a plurality of electrodes spaced apart from one another along a length of the assembly, a first electrode of the plurality defining a distal end of the length, and a second electrode of the plurality defining a proximal end of the length, the first electrode extending around the at least one core member;
a plurality of elongate conductors corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, a first conductor of the plurality of conductors extending along a helical path, the helical path traveling from the proximal end of the length of the assembly to the distal end of the length of the assembly and around the central lumen of the assembly; and
an electrical junction between the first conductor and an inner surface of the first electrode, the junction being wedged within a first channel of the plurality of channels of the at least one core member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable medical electrical lead includes an electrode assembly in which an electrical junction between a first conductor and an inner surface of a first electrode of the assembly is wedged within a first channel of at least one core member of the assembly, around which the first electrode extends. The at least one core member is formed from an insulating material, and the first channel may be one of a plurality of longitudinally extending channels arrayed around a circumference of a central lumen of the assembly, which is defined by the at least one core member. The first conductor extends along a length of the assembly, for example, defined between the first electrode and a second electrode thereof, in a helical path that travels around the central lumen.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. An electrode assembly for an implantable medical electrical lead, the assembly comprising:
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at least one core member formed from an insulating material, the at least one core member defining a central longitudinally extending lumen of the assembly, and each of the at least one core member including a plurality of longitudinally extending channels arrayed around a circumference of the central lumen, each channel having an opening that extends along an entire length thereof; a plurality of electrodes spaced apart from one another along a length of the assembly, a first electrode of the plurality defining a distal end of the length, and a second electrode of the plurality defining a proximal end of the length, the first electrode extending around the at least one core member; a plurality of elongate conductors corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, a first conductor of the plurality of conductors extending along a helical path, the helical path traveling from the proximal end of the length of the assembly to the distal end of the length of the assembly and around the central lumen of the assembly; and an electrical junction between the first conductor and an inner surface of the first electrode, the junction being wedged within a first channel of the plurality of channels of the at least one core member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An implantable medical electrical lead comprising a connector, an electrode assembly, and an insulative body extending between the connector and the electrode assembly;
- and wherein the electrode assembly comprises;
at least one core member formed from an insulating material, the at least one core member defining a central longitudinally extending lumen of the assembly, and each of the at least one core member including a plurality of longitudinally extending channels arrayed around a circumference of the central lumen, each channel having an opening that extends along an entire length thereof; a plurality of electrodes spaced apart from one another along a length of the assembly, a first electrode of the plurality defining a distal end of the length, and a second electrode of the plurality defining a proximal end of the length, the first electrode extending around the at least one core member; a plurality of elongate conductors corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, each conductor extending proximally from the electrode assembly, within the body, to the connector and being electrically coupled to the connector, a first conductor of the plurality of conductors extending along a helical path, the helical path traveling from the proximal end of the length of the assembly to the distal end of the length of the assembly and around the central lumen of the assembly; and an electrical junction between the first conductor and an inner surface of the first electrode, the junction being wedged within a first channel of the plurality of channels of the at least one core member. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
- and wherein the electrode assembly comprises;
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31. An electrode component for an electrode assembly of an implantable medical electrical lead, the component comprising:
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a core formed from an insulating material and defining a central longitudinally extending lumen of the component, the core including a plurality of longitudinally extending channels arrayed around the central lumen, each channel being sized to receive an elongate conductor therein, and each channel having an opening extending along an entire length thereof, each opening facing toward the central lumen; and a longitudinally extending conductive layer overlaying the core; and wherein a single channel of the plurality of channels of the core has another, second opening extending along the entire length thereof, the other opening facing toward an inner surface of the conductive layer. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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34. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly for a medical electrical lead, the electrode assembly comprising a plurality of electrodes spaced apart from one another along a length of the assembly, a first electrode of the plurality of electrodes defining a distal end of the length, and a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes defining a proximal end of the length, and the method comprising:
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wedging a conductive distal end of a first conductor in a first channel within the first electrode so that the conductive distal end of the first conductor makes intimate contact with an inner surface of the first electrode, the first channel being formed by an insulative material inserted within the first electrode; placing the first conductor in a second channel within the second electrode; wedging a conductive distal end of a second conductor in a third channel within the second electrode so that the conductive distal end of the second conductor makes intimate contact with an inner surface of the second electrode, the third channel being formed by the insulative material inserted within the second electrode and being spaced apart from the second channel around a circumference of the central lumen; electrically coupling the conductive wedged distal ends of the first and second conductors to the inner surface of the first and second electrodes, respectively; and injecting another insulative material between adjacent electrodes of the plurality of electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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Specification