Lead electrode for use in an MRI-safe implantable medical device

• US 20060247748A1
• Filed: 04/29/2005
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Olsen, James M., Bolea, Stephen L., Wahlstrand, Carl D., Hrdlicka, Gregory A., Hoegh, Thomas Barry
• Granted Patent: US 8,027,736 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/686 Permanently implanted devices, e.g. pacemakers, other stimulators, biochips A61B5/6861 takes precedence
• 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 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/086 Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] compatible leads
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts

Abstract

A medical lead is configured to be implanted into a patient'"'"'s body and comprises a lead body, and an electrode coupled to the lead body. The electrode comprises a first section configured to contact the patient'"'"'s body, and a second section electrically coupled to the first section and configured to be capacitively coupled to the patient'"'"'s body.

Claims

1. A medical lead configured to be implanted into a patient'"'"'s body, the lead comprising:

a lead body; and

an electrode coupled to said lead body, said electrode comprising;

a first section configured to contact the patient'"'"'s body; and

a second section electrically coupled to said first section and configured to be capacitively coupled to the patient'"'"'s body.

2. A medical lead according to claim 1 wherein said second section conducts current from said first section to the patient'"'"'s body.

3. A medical lead according to claim 2 wherein said second section conducts current from said first section at RF MRI frequencies.

4. A medical lead according to claim 1 wherein said second section is mechanically connected to said first section.

5. A medical lead according to claim 4 wherein said second section is integrally formed with said first section.

6. A medical lead according to claim 4 wherein said second section is flexible.

7. A medical lead according to claim 6 wherein said second section is in the form of a coil.

8. A medical lead according to claim 6 wherein said second section is in the form of a braid.

9. A medical lead according to claim 6 wherein said second section is in the form of a fenestrated tube.

10. A medical lead according to claim 6 wherein said section is in the form of a bellows.

11. A medical lead according to claim 4 wherein said first section comprises a ring contact having a first outer diameter and said second section comprises a ring having a second outer diameter smaller than said first outer diameter.

12. A medical lead according to claim 11 wherein said lead body houses a conductive filer and wherein said first section and said second section have an opening therethrough for receiving said conductive filer.

13. A medical lead according to claim 4 wherein said second section is covered with an insulating material.

14. A medical lead according to claim 13 wherein said lead body is non-conductive and overlies said second section.

15. A medical lead according to claim 1 wherein said electrode is a stimulation electrode for delivering therapy to the patient'"'"'s body.

16. A medical lead according to claim 15 wherein said second section provides substantially no conduction at stimulation frequencies.

17. An electrode assembly for use on a lead configured to be implanted in a patient'"'"'s body, the electrode comprising:

a first section configured to contact the patient'"'"'s body; and

a second section electrically coupled to said first section and configured to be capacitively coupled to the patient'"'"'s body.

18. An electrode according to claim 17 wherein said second section is mechanically connected to said first section.

19. An electrode according to claim 18 wherein said first section comprises a ring contact having a first outer diameter and said second section comprises a ring having a second outer diameter smaller than said first outer diameter.

20. A pulse stimulation system for implantation into a patient'"'"'s body, the system comprising:

a pulse generator;

a conductive filer having a proximal end electrically coupled to said pulse generator and having a distal end;

a lead body for housing said conductive filer; and

a stimulation electrode configured on said lead body and electrically coupled to the distal end of said filer, said stimulation electrode comprising;

a first section configured to contact the patient'"'"'s body for delivering stimulation thereto; and

a second section electrically coupled to said first section and configured to be capacitively coupled to the patient'"'"'s body.

21. A pulse stimulator according to claim 20 wherein said second section is mechanically connected to said first section.

22. A pulse stimulator according to claim 21 wherein said first section comprises a ring contact having a first outer diameter and said second section comprises a ring having a second outer diameter smaller than said first outer diameter.

23. A pulse stimulator according to claim 22 wherein said second section is covered with an insulating material.

24. A pulse stimulator according to claim 23 wherein said lead body is non-conductive and overlies said second section.