ELECTRODES FOR STIMULATION LEADS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE

• US 20090276021A1
• Filed: 04/22/2009
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Meadows, Paul M., Brase, Randall Lee
• Granted Patent: US 8,600,518 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• 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 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors of trolley lines B60M1/28
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49169 Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49174 Assembling terminal to elongated conductor

Abstract

An electrode has a unitary ring with an exterior surface, an interior surface, and at least two edges. The electrode also includes a seat formed in at least the exterior surface of the unitary ring. The seat is configured and arranged for attachment of a terminal end of a lead wire, disposed in the seat, to the electrode. A lead includes a lead body; a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end of the lead body; and a plurality of lead wires. Each electrode includes a unitary ring and a seat in the unitary ring. The unitary ring has an exterior surface and an interior surface and defines a hollow center region. The seat is formed as a depression of a portion of the unitary ring. Each of the lead wires extends along the lead body and is attached to a corresponding electrode at the seat of the corresponding electrode.

Claims

1. An electrode comprising:

a unitary ring having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and at least two edges; and

a seat formed in at least the exterior surface of the unitary ring, the seat configured and arranged for attachment of a terminal end of a lead wire, disposed in the seat, to the electrode.

2. The electrode of claim 1, further comprising an opening spaced apart from the edges of the unitary ring and extending from the interior surface to the exterior surface of the unitary ring, wherein the opening intersects the seat.

3. The electrode of claim 2, wherein the seat extends from the opening to at least one edge of the unitary ring.

4. The electrode of claim 1, further comprising an indentation extending from the interior surface to the exterior surface of the unitary ring, wherein the indentation intersects the seat and one edge of the unitary body.

5. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the distance between a lowest point on an external surface of the seat and the exterior surface of the unitary ring is about equal to a diameter of the terminal end of the lead wire disposed in the seat, wherein the seat forms a depression having a diameter greater than or equal to the diameter of the terminal end of the lead wire disposed in the seat.

6. A lead comprising:

a lead body having a distal end;

a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end of the lead body, wherein each electrode comprises a unitary ring and a seat in the unitary ring, wherein the unitary ring has an exterior surface and an interior surface, the unitary ring defining a hollow center region, and wherein the seat is formed as a depression of a portion of the unitary ring; and

a plurality of lead wires, each extending along the lead body and attached to a corresponding electrode at the seat of the corresponding electrode.

7. The lead of claim 6, wherein at least one electrode further comprises an opening spaced apart from edges of the unitary ring and extending from the exterior surface to the interior surface of the unitary ring, wherein the opening intersects the seat.

8. The lead of claim 7, wherein at least one lead wire extends through the opening of at least one electrode.

9. The lead of claim 6, wherein a terminal end of at least one lead wire is disposed in the seat of at least one electrode.

10. The lead of claim 6, wherein the plurality of electrodes are disposed in a spaced apart arrangement along the distal end of the lead body.

11. The lead of claim 6, wherein the plurality of electrodes are separated by spacers.

12. The lead of claim 6, further comprising a lumen tube disposed within the hollow center region of at least one electrode, wherein the lumen tube comprises at least one lumen.

13. The lead of claim 12, wherein at least one electrode further comprises an opening spaced apart from edges of the unitary ring and extending from the exterior surface to the interior surface of the unitary ring and wherein at least one lead wire is disposed in the lumen of the lumen tube and extends through the opening of the electrode.

14. A system for stimulation comprising the lead of claim 6 and a control module, wherein at least one lead wire couples the control module to at least one electrode.

15. A method of making a system for stimulation comprising:

providing an electrode comprising a unitary ring having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a seat formed by depressing a portion of the unitary ring;

disposing a lead wire within the seat of the electrode; and

coupling a terminal end of the lead wire to the seat of the electrode.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising forming an opening on the electrode, wherein the opening is spaced apart from edges of the unitary ring and intersects the seat.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising disposing a lead wire through the opening of the electrode.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising stamping the unitary ring to form the seat on the electrode.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the terminal end of the lead wire comprises welding the terminal end of the lead wire to the seat of the electrode.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising disposing a lumen tube through the hollow center region of at least one electrode, wherein the lumen tube comprises at least one lumen.