SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FORMING AN END OF AN ELONGATED MEMBER OF AN ELECTRICAL STIMULATION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method for forming a lead or lead extension comprising an arrangement of a plurality of elongated conductors disposed in a body of the lead or lead extension, each of the elongated conductors extending from a proximal end of the arrangement to a distal end of the arrangement, the method comprising:
- ablating a plurality of spaced-apart channels in proximity to at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the body to expose at least part of at least one of the plurality of elongated conductors;
disposing a C-shaped contact into each of a different one of the transverse channels;
electrically coupling each of the C-shaped contacts to at least one of the elongated conductors;
closing each of the C-shaped contacts so that opposing ends of the C-shaped contact are adjacent to one another and aligned over one of the elongated conductors; and
for each of the C-shaped contacts, coupling the two opposing ends together such that the C-shaped contact forms a continuous path around the arrangement within the transverse channel in which the C-shaped contact is disposed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for forming a lead or lead extension having an arrangement of elongated conductors disposed in a body of a lead or lead extension includes ablating a plurality of spaced-apart channels in proximity to at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the body to expose at least part of at least one of the conductors. A C-shaped contact is disposed into each of a different one of the transverse channels. Each C-shaped contact is electrically coupled to at least one of the conductors. Each C-shaped contact is closed so that opposing ends of the C-shaped contact are adjacent to one another and aligned over one of the elongated conductors. The two opposing ends of each C-shaped contact is coupled together such that each C-shaped contact forms a continuous path around the arrangement within the transverse channel in which the C-shaped contact is disposed.
59 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for forming a lead or lead extension comprising an arrangement of a plurality of elongated conductors disposed in a body of the lead or lead extension, each of the elongated conductors extending from a proximal end of the arrangement to a distal end of the arrangement, the method comprising:
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ablating a plurality of spaced-apart channels in proximity to at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the body to expose at least part of at least one of the plurality of elongated conductors; disposing a C-shaped contact into each of a different one of the transverse channels; electrically coupling each of the C-shaped contacts to at least one of the elongated conductors; closing each of the C-shaped contacts so that opposing ends of the C-shaped contact are adjacent to one another and aligned over one of the elongated conductors; and for each of the C-shaped contacts, coupling the two opposing ends together such that the C-shaped contact forms a continuous path around the arrangement within the transverse channel in which the C-shaped contact is disposed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for forming a lead or lead extension comprising an arrangement of a plurality of elongated conductors disposed in a body of the lead or lead extension, each of the elongated conductors extending from a proximal end of the arrangement to a distal end of the arrangement, the method comprising:
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ablating a plurality of access ports in at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the body, each of the access ports exposing one of the elongated conductors; disposing C-shaped contacts over each of the access ports such that each C-shaped contact is disposed over at least one of the access ports; electrically coupling the C-shaped contacts to at least one of the elongated conductors; closing each of the C-shaped contacts so that the two opposing ends of the C-shaped contacts are adjacent to one another; and for each of the C-shaped contacts, coupling the two opposing ends together such that the C-shaped contact forms a continuous path around the arrangement over the at least one access port over which the C-shaped contact is disposed. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A lead comprising:
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a lead body comprising an outer layer and having a distal end, a proximal end, and a transverse circumference, wherein the lead body defines a plurality of spaced-apart channels around the transverse circumference of the lead body in proximity to at least one of the distal end or the proximal end of the lead body, the lead body comprising a plurality of cylindrical electrodes disposed on the distal end of the lead body, a plurality of cylindrical terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead body, a plurality of conductors, each conductor electrically coupling at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals; wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes or at least one of the plurality of terminals comprises a C-shaped contact that has been disposed over the transverse circumference of the lead body and closed with opposing ends of the C-shaped contact coupled together, wherein the opposing ends of the C-shaped contact define a coupling aperture, and wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors extends into the coupling aperture and electrically couples to the C-shaped contact. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification