Surgical lead paddle

• US 20030204228A1
• Filed: 04/25/2002
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Cross, Thomas E. Jr., Racz, Gabor
• Granted Patent: US 7,697,995 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49174 Assembling terminal to elongated conductor

Abstract

The present invention provides for an improved apparatus and method for electrical stimulation. A paddle having a thickness up to 0.030 inches is implanted adjacent the spinal cord dura mater to reduce the likelihood of paralysis due to stress on the spinal cord attributed to bulkier leads. The paddle is then positioned so that at least one of a plurality of electrodes is positioned over the area of the spinal cord requiring pain treatment; and then electric stimulation is applied to the electrodes to effect pain treatment. In another embodiment the paddle is curved about a vertical axis to substantially match the shape of a human spinal cord dura mater to help reduce lead migration

Claims

1. An implantable medical lead for electrical stimulation, comprising:

a plurality of electrodes electrically connected to a plurality of conductors;

a paddle supporting the plurality of electrodes; and

wherein the paddle has a thickness up to 0.030 inches for application to small areas within the human body.

2. The implantable medical lead of claim 1 wherein the paddle is curved along a vertical axis.

3. The implantable medical lead of claim 2 wherein the curved paddle is substantially similar to the shape of a human spinal cord.

4. The implantable medical lead of claim 1 wherein said paddle has a thickness up to 0.030 inches.

5. The implantable medical lead of claim 1 wherein said paddle has a thickness up to 0.025 inches.

6. The implantable medical lead of claim 1 wherein said paddle has a thickness up to 0.020 inches.

7. An implantable medical lead for electrical stimulation, comprising:

a paddle, comprising;

a first paddle portion having a cavity;

a second paddle portion having at least one aperture; and

at least one electrode electrically connected to at least one conductor, said at least one electrode placed in the cavity of the first paddle portion;

said at least one electrode being disposed between the first paddle portion and the second paddle portion with a portion of the at least one electrode being conductively exposed through the at least one aperture.

8. An implantable medical lead for electrical stimulation, comprising:

a curved first paddle portion having a distal and a proximal end, said first paddle portion having a cavity on a surface of the first paddle portion and an opening extending from the proximal end to the cavity;

a curved second paddle portion able to be received into the cavity;

said second paddle portion having a plurality of apertures;

a plurality of electrodes disposed in the cavity between the first paddle portion and the second paddle portion, said electrodes having a conductive surface at least partially exposed through at least one aperture; and

at least one conductor traversing the opening from the proximal end of the first paddle portion to the cavity;

said conductor electrically connected to at least one electrode.

9. A method of treating a medical condition using electrical stimulation comprising:

implanting a paddle having a thickness up to 0.030 inches adjacent a spinal cord dura in the cervical region of the spinal column said paddle including at least one electrode;

positioning said paddle so that the at least one electrode is positioned over the area of the spinal cord for which electrical stimulation is anticipated to provide at least partial relief from the medical condition; and

applying electric stimulation to the at least one electrode to provide at least partial relief from the medical condition.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the paddle is curved along a vertical axis.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the curved paddle is substantially similar to the shape of a human spinal cord dura mater.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said paddle has a thickness up to 0.025 inches.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said paddle has a thickness up to 0.020 inches.

14. A method of manufacturing an implantable medical paddle lead for electrical stimulation, the paddle comprising:

creating a first paddle portion having a cavity on one side and an inlet for receiving at least one conductor;

creating a second paddle portion having at least one aperture;

connecting at least one electrode placed in the cavity of the first paddle portion to at least one conductor;

placing the second paddle portion onto the first paddle portion wherein the at least one electrode is positioned between the first paddle portion and the second paddle portion with a portion of the at least one electrode being conductively exposed through the at least one aperture; and

connecting the second paddle portion to the first paddle portion wherein the paddle has a thickness up to 0.030 inches.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the paddle is curved along a vertical axis.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the curved paddle is substantially similar to the shape of a human spinal cord.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said paddle has a thickness up to 0.025 inches.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein said paddle has a thickness up to 0.020 inches.