Implantable lead system with seed electrodes

• US 20050228249A1
• Filed: 04/09/2004
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neuropace Inc.
• Original Assignee: Neuropace Inc.
• Inventors: Boling, C. Lance
• Granted Patent: US 7,283,856 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/378
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0539 Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole

Abstract

A medical electrical lead system for neurological applications has a distal portion having a plurality of independently positionable seed electrodes, each of which may be connected via an interface to an implantable medical device. The interface allows the seed electrodes to be positioned, then excess wire trimmed, facilitating simplified connection of multiple independent electrodes to a single device. Seed electrodes according to the invention are small, have relatively low mass, and are minimally destructive of surrounding tissue.

Claims

1. A medical electrical lead system adapted to be at least partially implanted in a human patient, the lead system comprising:

a seed electrode affixed to a conducting wire; and

an implantable interface adapted to receive the conducting wire at a desired location along a length of the conducting wire;

wherein the interface is adapted to provide a closed electrical circuit between a medical device and the seed electrode

2. The medical electrical lead system of claim 1, wherein the implantable interface includes a burr hole cover.

3. The medical electrical lead system of claim 1, wherein the implantable interface is adapted to be positioned in a subcutaneous location.

4. The medical electrical lead system of claim 1, wherein the seed electrode is adapted to be positioned within brain tissue of the patient.

5. The medical electrical lead system of claim 1, wherein the seed electrode is removably affixed to an insertion cannula.

6. The medical electrical lead system of claim 5, wherein the seed electrode is removably affixed to the insertion cannula with an adhesive material.

7. The medical electrical lead system of claim 5, wherein the insertion cannula comprises at least a part of an introducer apparatus.

8. The medical electrical lead system of claim 1, wherein the seed electrode has a substantially greater diameter than the conducting wire.