Ribbon Electrode

• US 20090030493A1
• Filed: 07/27/2007
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LivaNova USA, Inc. (LivaNova Plc)
• Original Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc
• Inventors: Kollatschny, Shawn D., Colborn, John C., Byerman, Bryan, Marsh-Chetter, J. Nick
• Granted Patent: US 7,818,069 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy

Abstract

We disclose an electrode assembly comprising a ribbon electrode having a first surface and a second surface; a plurality of bosses disposed on the second surface of the ribbon electrode, wherein each boss has a third surface substantially not in contact with the second surface of the ribbon electrode and at least one boss is electrically conducting; and an insulator contacting substantially the entire second surface of the ribbon electrode and substantially the entire third surface of each boss; wherein the insulator is substantially not in contact with the first surface of the ribbon electrode. We also disclose an implantable medical device system comprising an implantable medical device for generating an electrical signal; an electrode assembly as described; and a lead wire electrically coupled to both the implantable medical device and at least one electrically conducting boss of the electrode assembly.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly, comprising:

an electrode formed in a shape selected from the group consisting of substantially flat, substantially cylindrical, substantially spiral, and substantially helical conformation having a first surface and a second surface;

a plurality of formations disposed on the second surface of the electrode, wherein each formation has a third surface substantially not in contact with the second surface of the electrode and at least one formation is electrically conducting; and

an insulating material contacting substantially the entire second surface of the ribbon electrode and substantially the entire third surface of each formation;

wherein the insulating material is substantially not in contact with the first surface of the electrode.

2. An electrode assembly, comprising:

a ribbon electrode having a first surface and a second surface;

a plurality of bosses disposed on the second surface of the ribbon electrode, wherein each boss has a third surface substantially not in contact with the second surface of the ribbon electrode and at least one boss is electrically conducting; and

an insulator contacting substantially the entire second surface of the ribbon electrode and substantially the entire third surface of each boss;

wherein the insulator is substantially not in contact with the first surface of the ribbon electrode.

3. The electrode assembly of claim 2, wherein at least one said boss is integrally formed with the ribbon electrode.

4. The electrode assembly of claim 3, wherein at least one said boss is stamped or crimped from the ribbon electrode.

5. The electrode assembly of claim 2, wherein at least one said boss is separately formed from the ribbon electrode and is subsequently affixed to the second surface of the ribbon electrode.

6. The electrode assembly of claim 5, wherein the boss is welded or crimped to the ribbon electrode.

7. The electrode assembly of claim 2, wherein a boss is selected from the group consisting of a saddle, a tunnel, and a wire.

8. The electrode assembly of claim 2, wherein the insulator is a silicone polymer.

9. The electrode assembly of claim 2, further comprising a lead wire electrically coupled to at least one said electrically conducting boss.

10. The electrode assembly of claim 2, wherein the ribbon electrode has a flat, cylindrical, spiral, or helical conformation.

11. An implantable medical device system comprising:

an implantable medical device for generating an electrical signal;

an electrode assembly, comprising;

a ribbon electrode having a first surface and a second surface;

a plurality of bosses disposed on the second surface of the ribbon electrode, wherein each boss has a third surface substantially not in contact with the second surface of the ribbon electrode and at least one boss is electrically conducting; and

an insulator contacting substantially the entire second surface of the ribbon electrode and substantially the entire third surface of each boss;

wherein the insulator is substantially not in contact with the first surface of the ribbon electrode; and

a lead wire electrically coupled to both the implantable medical device and at least one electrically conducting boss.

12. The implantable medical device system of claim 11, wherein at least one said boss is integrally formed with the ribbon electrode.

13. The implantable medical device system of claim 12, wherein at least one said boss is stamped or crimped from the ribbon electrode.

14. The implantable medical device system of claim 11, wherein at least one said boss is separately formed from the ribbon electrode and is affixed to the second surface of the ribbon electrode.

15. The implantable medical device system of claim 14, wherein at least one said boss is welded or crimped to the ribbon electrode.

16. The implantable medical device system of claim 11, wherein at least one said boss is selected from the group consisting of a saddle, a tunnel, and a wire.

17. The implantable medical device system of claim 11, wherein the insulator is a silicone polymer.

18. The implantable medical device system of claim 11, wherein the ribbon electrode has a flat, cylindrical, spiral, or helical conformation.