Vacuum mandrel for use in fabricating an implantable electrode
First Claim
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1. A vacuum mandrel for use in fabricating an implantable electrode, comprising:
- a hollow body member having an outer surface;
a first groove on said outer surface, adapted to receive an electrode member; and
a vacuum port provided in said first groove.
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Abstract
A vacuum mandrel for use in fabricating an implantable electrode comprises a hollow body member and a first groove provided radially on an outer surface of the hollow body member. The first groove is adapted to receive an implantable electrode and retain the electrode in place with a vacuum pressure during an elastomeric encapsulation of the electrode. The vacuum mandrel further comprises a vacuum port provided in the first groove.
98 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A vacuum mandrel for use in fabricating an implantable electrode, comprising:
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a hollow body member having an outer surface;
a first groove on said outer surface, adapted to receive an electrode member; and
a vacuum port provided in said first groove. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of making an electrode, comprising:
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providing a mandrel comprising a first groove in an outer surface thereof, and a vacuum port in said first groove, providing an electrode coupled to an end of a lead;
positioning said electrode in said first groove over said vacuum port; and
retaining said electrode in said first groove through vacuum pressure applied through said vacuum port; and
applying an elastomer over said conductive electrode while said electrode is retained in said first groove.
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16. The method of claim 16 wherein said vacuum mandrel further comprises at least one longitudinal groove formed at one end of said spiral groove, and wherein applying said elastomer comprises applying said elastomer to said and least one longitudinal groove.
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17. An electrode manufactured according to a method comprising:
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locating a conductive ribbon electrode in a first groove of a hollow body member, said groove containing at least one vacuum port; and
retaining said conductive electrode in said spiral groove through vacuum pressure applied through said at least one vacuum port; and
applying an elastomer over said conductive electrode while said electrode is retained in place. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. An apparatus for holding an implantable electrode in place during a manufacturing process, comprising:
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an elongate body having an outer surface and a hollow interior portion;
a vacuum source in fluid communication with said hollow interior portion;
a channel formed in said outer surface and extending helically about said elongate body, said channel comprising an engaging surface for engaging the implantable electrode; and
at least one bore extending between said hollow interior portion and said engaging surface of said channel such that said bore and said hollow interior portion are in fluid communication. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification