SURGICAL LEAD PADDLE

• US 20100146783A1
• Filed: 02/22/2010
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gabor Racz, Thomas E. Cross Jr
• Original Assignee: Gabor Racz, Thomas E. Cross Jr
• Inventors: Racz, Gabor, Cross, Thomas E. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,108,051 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/857
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49174 Assembling terminal to elongated conductor

Abstract

The present invention provides for an improved apparatus and method for electrical stimulation. A paddle having a thickness up to 0.030 inches is implanted adjacent the spinal cord dura mater to reduce the likelihood of paralysis due to stress on the spinal cord attributed to bulkier leads. The paddle is then positioned so that at least one of a plurality of electrodes is positioned over the area of the spinal cord requiring pain treatment; and then electric stimulation is applied to the electrodes to effect pain treatment. In another embodiment the paddle is curved about a vertical axis to substantially match the shape of a human spinal cord dura mater to help reduce lead migration

Claims

1. A method of making an implantable medical lead for electrical stimulation, comprising:

forming a paddle, comprising;

a first paddle element having a recessed cavity formed on one side of the first paddle element;

a second paddle element having at least one aperture, wherein the second paddle element is received by the cavity of the first paddle element; and

at least one electrode electrically connected to at least one conductor, said at least one electrode being disposed between the first paddle element and the second paddle element with a portion of the at least one electrode being conductively exposed through the at least one aperture.

2. The method of making an implantable medical lead of claim 1, wherein the second paddle portion has substantially the same shape as the cavity of the first paddle portion.

3. A method of making an implantable medical lead for electrical stimulation, comprising:

forming a paddle, comprising;

a first paddle element having a recessed cavity formed on one side of the first paddle element;

a second paddle element with an aperture, the second paddle element having substantially the same shape as the cavity of the first paddle element, wherein the second paddle element is received in the cavity of the first paddle element; and

an electrode electrically connected to a conductor, said electrode being disposed between the first paddle element and the second paddle element wherein the electrode is conductively exposed through the aperture.

4. The method of making an implantable medical lead of claim 3, wherein the second paddle portion has substantially the same shape as the cavity of the first paddle portion.