NOVEL MEDICAL ELECTRODE MOUNTING

• US 20100228329A1
• Filed: 05/19/2010
• Published: 09/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Skubitz, Sean P., Boatwright, Mary L., Bolea, Stephen L., Metzler, Michael E., Tower, Jessica L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,326,434 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy

Abstract

A medical electrical lead electrode assembly includes an insulative carrier and at least one conductive component. The at least one conductive component includes an electrode portion disposed on a first side of the carrier and at least one tab extending away from the electrode portion, through the carrier to a second side of the carrier. The electrode portion of the at least one component includes an outward facing contact surface and an inward facing surface, the inward facing surface being disposed opposite the contact surface and against a surface of the first side of the carrier. The electrode assembly further includes a joint coupling a flexible elongate conductor to the tab of the at least one component on the second side of the carrier, and an insulative layer extending over the joint and the tab and the conductor, the insulative layer being bonded to the second side of the carrier.

Claims

1. A medical electrical lead electrode assembly, comprising:

an insulative carrier including a first side and a second side opposite the first side;

a conductive component including an electrode portion and at least one conductive tab, the electrode portion being disposed on the first side of the carrier and having an inward facing surface and an outward facing contact surface opposite the inward facing surface, the at least one conductive tab extending away from the electrode portion, through the carrier to the second side of the carrier, and the carrier extending directly beneath the electrode portion such that the inward facing surface thereof is disposed against and supported by the first side of the carrier;

a flexible elongate conductor;

a joint coupling the flexible elongate conductor to the at least one conductive tab of the conductive component on the second side of the carrier; and

an insulative layer extending over the joint and the tab and the conductor, the insulative layer being bonded to the second side of the carrier.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first side of the carrier includes a pre-formed recess in which the electrode portion of the conductive component is disposed.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the second side of the carrier includes a pre-formed recess in which the at least one conductive tab of the conductive component is disposed.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein:

the second side of the carrier includes a pre-formed channel extending from the recess; and

the conductor is disposed within the channel.

5. The assembly of claim 4, further comprising a tubular channel extending from the carrier, and wherein the pre-formed channel extends to the tubular channel and the conductor is further disposed within the tubular channel.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the insulative layer extends over a portion of the tubular channel and couples the tubular channel to the carrier;

the portion of the tubular channel including a pre-formed bend.

7. The assembly of claim 4, wherein:

the pre-formed channel extends at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the carrier;

the second side of the carrier further includes a longitudinally extending pre-formed channel extending from the channel that extends from the recess; and

the conductor is further disposed within the longitudinally extending pre-formed channel.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the second side of the carrier includes at least one flap extending over the longitudinally extending channel.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a maximum thickness from the first side of the carrier to the second side of the carrier does not exceed approximately 0.075 inch.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first side of the carrier is generally concave.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the carrier further includes a mesh panel embedded therein.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductive tab of the conductive component comprises a pair of tabs, and the at least one conductive tab to which the conductor is coupled by the joint is one of the pair of tabs.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductive tab extends along a surface of the second side of the carrier.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the surface of the second side of the carrier, along which the at least one conductive tab extends, is directly opposite the inward facing surface of the electrode portion of the component.

15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the surface of the second side of the carrier, along which the at least one conductive tab extends, is offset from the inward facing surface of the electrode portion of the component.

16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductive tab includes a pre-formed projection extending toward a surface of the second side of the carrier.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the surface of the second side of the carrier, toward which the pre-formed projection extends, is directly opposite the inward facing surface of the electrode portion of the component.

18. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the surface of the second side of the carrier, toward which the pre-formed projection extends, is offset from the inward facing surface of the electrode portion of the component.

19. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the joint comprises a weld.

20. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the joint comprises a crimp.

21. The assembly of claim 1, wherein an extent of the insulative layer is limited to the second side of the carrier.

22. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the insulative layer is molded over the second side of the carrier.

23. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a tubular channel extending from the carrier and through which the conductor extends;

wherein the insulative layer extends over a portion of the tubular channel and couples the tubular channel to the carrier; and

the portion of the tubular channel includes a pre-formed bend.