Stretchable lead body, method of manufacture, and system

• US 20050027338A1
• Filed: 07/29/2003
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hill, Roger John
• Application Number:
  US10/630,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20050027338A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems

Abstract

An implantable lead body, and method of manufacturing same, and system for stimulation. The lead body includes an expanding/expansion section providing an additional length or slack in the lead body and allowing the lead body to expand or stretch with the body thereby reducing or eliminating the mechanical force or strain on the ends of the lead at the destination sites.

Claims

1. A lead, comprising:

a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, and the lead body having at least one expansion section;

at least one connector positioned proximate the proximal end;

at least one electrode positioned proximate the distal end; and

at least one conductor extending through the lead body and electrically connecting the connector and the electrode.

2. The lead in accordance with claim 1 wherein the expansion section is formed by heating at least a portion of the lead body.

3. The lead in accordance with claim 1 wherein a diameter of the expansion section is greater than a diameter of an adjacent portion of the lead body.

4. The lead in accordance with claim 3 wherein the diameter of the expansion section is at least about two times greater than the diameter of the adjacent portion.

5. The lead in accordance with claim 1 wherein the lead body comprises a plurality of expansion-sections and two adjacent expansion sections are spaced apart less than one inch.

6. The lead in accordance with claim 1 wherein the expansion section forms an expansion ring around the lead body.

7. The lead in accordance with claim 6 wherein the at least one conductor is substantially conformal within the expansion ring.

8. The lead in accordance with claim 1 wherein the expansion section functions to allow expansion of the lead body in a longitudinal direction.

10. The lead in accordance with claim 1 wherein the expansion section is bubble-shaped.

20. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein a portion of the expansion section has a second diameter, the first diameter less than the second diameter.

9. The lead in accordance with claim 9 wherein the expansion section provides increased elasticity of the lead body.

11. A lead, comprising:

a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, and the lead body having at least one section comprising means for expanding;

at least one connector positioned proximate the proximal end;

at least one electrode positioned proximate the distal end; and

at least one conductor extending through the lead body and electrically connecting the connector and the electrode.

12. The lead in accordance with claim 11 wherein the means for expanding comprises an expansion section wherein a diameter of the expansion section is greater than a diameter of an adjacent portion of the lead body.

13. The lead in accordance with claim 11 wherein the means for expanding comprises a plurality of expansion sections.

14. The lead in accordance with claim 11 wherein the means for expanding functions to allow expansion of the lead body in a longitudinal direction.

15. A method of manufacturing a lead, comprising:

providing a lead body having a first diameter and a proximal end and a distal end, the lead body having at least one conductor extending through the lead body; and

forming at least one expansion section within the lead body.

16. The method in accordance with claim 15 wherein a portion of the expansion section has a second diameter, the first diameter less than the second diameter.

17. The method in accordance with claim 15 wherein forming the at least one expansion section comprises:

heating at least a portion of the lead body to a predetermined temperature to form the expansion section.

18. The method in accordance with claim 17 wherein a portion of the expansion section has a second diameter, the first diameter less than the second diameter.

19. The method in accordance with claim 17 further comprising:

compressing the heated portion of the lead body to form the expansion section.

21. A lead manufactured in accordance with the method as defined in claim 15.

22. A system for stimulating a portion of a body, the system comprising:

a source for generating a stimulus; and

an implantable lead for receiving the stimulus from the source, the implantable lead comprising,

a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, and the lead body having at least one expanding section,

at least one connector positioned proximate the proximal end,

at least one electrode positioned proximate the distal end, and

at least one conductor extending through the lead body and electrically connecting the connector and the electrode.

23. The system in accordance with claim 22 further comprising:

a controller operable for communicating with the source and controlling the source.

24. The system in accordance with claim 22 wherein the source comprises an RF receiver.

25. The system in accordance with claim 22 wherein the source comprises an implantable pulse generator.

26. A system for stimulating a portion of a body, the system comprising:

a source for generating a stimulus; and

an implantable lead for receiving the stimulus from the source, the implantable lead comprising,

a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, and the lead body having at least one section comprising means for expanding,

at least one connector positioned proximate the proximal end,

at least one electrode positioned proximate the distal end, and

at least one conductor extending through the lead body and electrically connecting the connector and the electrode.