ELECTRICAL STIMULATION LEADS HAVING RF COMPATIBILITY AND METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE

• US 20100076508A1
• Filed: 09/25/2008
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: McDonald, Matthew Lee, Pianca, Anne Margaret
• Granted Patent: US 8,364,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/086 Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] compatible leads
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36128 Control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3718 Monitoring of or protection against external electromagnetic fields or currents

Abstract

A neurostimulation lead or lead extension includes a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of first contacts are disposed on the distal end of the lead body. A plurality of second contacts are disposed on a proximal end of the lead body. A plurality of conductors extend along the lead body. Each of the plurality of conductors electrically couples at least one of the first contacts to at least one of the second contacts. At least one of the conductors includes at least one switch disposed along a length of the conductor. The at least one switch is configured and arranged to separate the conductor into a plurality of individual segments when the at least one switch is opened.

Claims

1. A neurostimulation lead or lead extension comprising:

a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end;

a plurality of first contacts disposed on the distal end of the lead body;

a plurality of second contacts disposed on the proximal end of the lead body; and

a plurality of conductors extending along the lead body, wherein each of the plurality of conductors electrically couples at least one of the first contacts to at least one of the second contacts, wherein at least one of the conductors comprises at least one switch disposed along a length of the conductor, wherein the at least one switch is configured and arranged to separate the conductor into a plurality of individual segments when the at least one switch is opened.

2. The neurostimulation lead or lead extension of claim 1, wherein each of the conductors comprises the at least one switch disposed along a length of the conductor and configured and arranged to separate the conductor into a plurality of individual segments when the at least one switch is opened.

3. The neurostimulation lead or lead extension of claim 1, wherein the at least one switch is configured and arranged to open in response to an electrical signal.

4. The neurostimulation lead or lead extension of claim 3, further comprising at least one control line coupled to the at least one switch and configured and arranged to conduct an electrical signal to the coupled at least one switch to open and close the at least one switch.

5. The neurostimulation lead or lead extension of claim 3, wherein the at least one switch is configured and arranged to open in response to a wireless signal.

6. The neurostimulation lead or lead extension of claim 1, wherein the at least one switch is configured and arranged to open in response to pressure applied to the at least one switch.

7. The neurostimulation lead or lead extension of claim 6, wherein the body defines a lumen and wherein the at least one switch is in communication with the lumen and is configured and arranged to open in response to pressure within the lumen that meets a predetermined threshold criterion.

8. The neurostimulation lead or lead extension of claim 1, wherein the at least one switch is configured and arranged to open in response to a magnetic field of at least 0.5 T.

9. The neurostimulation lead or lead extension of claim 1, wherein each of the first contacts is an electrode and each of the second contacts is a terminal.

10. A neurostimulation system, comprising:

a lead comprising

a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end,

a plurality of electrodes disposed on the distal end of the lead body,

a plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead body, and

a plurality of conductors extending along the lead body, wherein each of the plurality of conductors electrically couples at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals, wherein at least one of the conductors comprises at least one switch disposed along a length of the conductor and configured and arranged to separate the conductor into a plurality of individual segments when the at least one switch is opened; and

a control module configured and arranged for coupling to the lead and to provide electrical stimulation signals to a patient through the electrodes of the lead.

11. The neurostimulation system of claim 10, further comprising a sensor coupled to the at least one switch.

12. The neurostimulation system of claim 11, wherein the sensor is configured and arranged to send a signal to open the at least one switch if an intensity from at least one of a magnetic field and radio-frequency radiation meets a threshold criterion.

13. The neurostimulation system of claim 11, wherein the sensor is disposed in the control module.

14. The neurostimulation system of claim 10, wherein the control module is coupled to the at least one switch and configured and arranged for sending signals to open or close the at least one switch.

15. The neurostimulation system of claim 10, further comprising a lead extension configured and arranged to receive the proximal end of the lead and to couple to the control module.

16. The neurostimulation system of claim 15, wherein the lead extension comprises

an extension body having a proximal end and a distal end,

a plurality of contacts disposed on a distal end of the extension body, wherein the contacts are configured and arranged for coupling to the electrodes of the lead,

a plurality of terminals disposed on a proximal end of the extension body, and

a plurality of conductors extending along the extension body, wherein each of the plurality of conductors electrically couples at least one of the contacts to at least one of the terminals, wherein at least one of the conductors comprises at least one switch disposed along a length of the conductor, wherein the at least one switch is configured and arranged to separate the conductor into a plurality of individual segments when the at least one switch is opened.

17. A method of neural stimulation, the method comprising:

implanting a lead in a patient, the lead comprising a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, a plurality of electrodes disposed on the distal end of the lead body, a plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead body, and a plurality of conductors extending along the lead body, wherein each of the plurality of conductors electrically couples at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals, wherein at least one of the conductors comprises at least one switch disposed along a length of the conductor and configured and arranged to separate the conductor into a plurality of individual segments when the at least one switch is opened;

providing signals to the electrodes to produce neural stimulation of tissue in the patient; and

opening the at least one switch when an intensity from at least one of a magnetic field or radio-frequency radiation meets a threshold criterion.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein opening the at least one switch comprises providing an electrical signal to the at least one switch to the open the at least one switch.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein opening the at least one switch comprises mechanically opening the at least one switch.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein mechanically opening the at least one switch comprises twisting at least a portion of the lead to open the at least one switch.