Extensible implantable medical lead

• US 20060200218A1
• Filed: 02/01/2006
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Wahlstrand, Carl D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,280,526 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/18 End pieces terminating in a probe
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/36 Conductive members located under tip of screw

Abstract

An extensible medical lead comprises at least one proximal contact, at least one distal electrode, and having at least one conductive filer electrically coupled between the proximal contacts and the distal stimulation electrode. The lead further comprises an outer jacket made of a longitudinally compressible material. The conductive filer may also be coiled to provide extensibility.

Claims

1. An extensible medical lead having at least one proximal contact and at least one distal electrode, the lead comprising:

at least one conductive filer electrically coupled between said proximal contact and said distal electrode; and

an outer jacket for housing said at least one conductive filer, said outer jacket made of a longitudinally compressible material.

2. A lead according to claim 1 wherein said material is polytetrafluoroethylene.

3. A lead according to claim 1 wherein said jacket comprises a wrapped strip doped with a conductive material.

4. A lead according to claim 3 wherein said conductive material is a metal.

5. A lead according to claim 3 wherein said conductive material is a conductive polymer.

6. A lead according to claim 3 wherein said jacket further comprises a non-conductive layer of longitudinally compressible material between said wrapped strip and said at least one conductive filer.

7. A lead according to claim 3 wherein said at least one conductive filer is coiled.

8. A lead according to claim 7 wherein said at least one conductive filer has a diameter no greater than 0.004 inch.

9. A lead according to claim 1 wherein said at least one conductive filer is coiled and positioned in said outer jacket, the coiled filer having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal of said jacket.

10. A lead according to claim 1 wherein said at least one conductive filer comprises a plurality of coiled filers, each having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal of said jacket.

11. A lead according to claim 10 wherein adjacent ones of said plurality of coiled filers are wound in substantially opposite directions.

12. A lead according to claim 1 wherein said outer jacket has a helical channel therein and further comprising a coiled outer filer that resides within said channel.

13. A lead according to claim 12 wherein said outer filer has a substantially flat cross-section.

14. A lead according to claim 12 further comprising an additional layer surrounding said outer jacket and said outer filer.

15. A lead according to claim 14 wherein said additional layer has a plurality of openings therethrough to permit contact between said outer filer and a patient'"'"'s body tissue.

16. An implantable medical device, comprising:

a housing;

an implantable pulse generator within said housing for generating stimulation pulses; and

a medical lead extending from said housing and comprising at least one conductive filer electrically coupled between said proximal contact and said distal electrode, and an outer jacket for housing said at least one conductive filer, said outer jacket made of a longitudinally compressible material.

17. An implantable medical device according to claim 16 wherein said at least one filer is coiled.

18. An implantable medical device according to claim 16 wherein said at least one conductive filer is coiled and positioned in said outer jacket, the coiled filer having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal of said jacket.

19. An implantable medical device according to claim 16 wherein said at least one conductive filer comprises a plurality of coiled filers each having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal of said jacket.

20. An implantable medical device according to claim 16 wherein said outer jacket has a helical channel therein and further comprising a coiled outer filer that resides within said channel.