POLYMER COMPRESSION JOINING IN IMPLANTABLE LEAD

• US 20110034980A1
• Filed: 07/08/2010
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Schmidt, Brian L., Haasl, Benjamin J., Foster, Daniel J., Clark, Bryan A., Meyer, Duane T., Foster, Arthur J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,788,062 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 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections

Abstract

Implantable medical leads and methods of forming such leads are disclosed. An implantable medical lead includes a lead body, a swage base coupled to the lead body, and a polymeric member interposed at least in part between the swage base and at least one rigid component of the lead such as an electrode or annular ring. The swage base includes an annular-shaped body including a flange having a number of protrusions that extend radially outward from the flange. During a swaging process, the protrusions on the flange are compressed against the polymeric member, forming a number of channels in the member that mechanically bond the member to the swage base.

Claims

1. An implantable medical lead, comprising:

a lead body;

a swage base coupled to the lead body, the swage base comprising an annular body including at least one flange and a number of protrusions extending radially outward from the at least one flange;

a polymeric member interposed at least in part between the swage base and a rigid member; and

wherein the polymeric member is mechanically bonded to the swage base and the rigid member via a compression joint.

2. The implantable medical lead of claim 1, wherein the rigid member includes an electrode.

3. The implantable medical lead of claim 2, wherein the electrode is a ring electrode.

4. The implantable medical lead of claim 2, wherein the lead further includes a terminal connector, and wherein the electrode is a terminal electrode.

5. The implantable medical lead of claim 2, wherein the swage base comprises an electrically conductive material.

6. The implantable medical lead of claim 5, wherein the swage base electrically connects the electrode to a coil conductor.

7. The implantable medical lead of claim 1, wherein the rigid member comprises an annular ring.

8. The implantable medical lead of claim 1, wherein each of the protrusions extend radially outward about a circumference of the annular body.

9. The implantable medical lead of claim 1, wherein the at least one flange comprises a first flange and a second flange, the first and second flanges each including a plurality of protrusions configured to engage an end of the polymeric member.

10. The implantable medical lead of claim 1, wherein the swage base further includes a locking tab.

11. The implantable medical lead of claim 1, wherein the polymeric member comprises an insulating sleeve.

12. An implantable medical lead, comprising:

a coil conductor electrically coupled to an electrode;

a metal swage base coupled to the coil conductor and electrode, the swage base comprising an annular body including at least one flange and a plurality of bumps extending radially outward from the at least one flange;

a polymer sleeve interposed at least in part between the swage base and the electrode, the polymer sleeve including a number of channels each in compression with a corresponding bump of the swage base; and

wherein the polymer sleeve is mechanically bonded to the swage base and the electrode via a compression joint.

13. The implantable medical lead of claim 12, wherein the electrode is a ring electrode.

14. The implantable medical lead of claim 12, wherein the lead further includes a terminal connector, and wherein the electrode is a terminal electrode.

15. The implantable medical lead of claim 12, wherein each of the bumps extend radially outward about a circumference of the annular body.

16. The implantable medical lead of claim 12, wherein the at least one flange comprises a proximal flange including a plurality of bumps configured to engage an end of a first polymeric sleeve, and a distal flange including a plurality of bumps configured to engage an end of a second polymeric sleeve.

17. A method of forming a joint on an implantable medical lead, the method comprising:

coupling at least a portion of a polymeric member to a base, the base comprising an annular body including a flange with a number of protrusions configured to engage an inner wall of the polymeric member;

inserting a rigid member over the polymeric member adjacent to the flange; and

compressing the polymeric member in between the base and the rigid member, thereby forming a compression joint between the polymeric member, the base, and the rigid member.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein compressing the polymeric member in between the base and the rigid member includes inserting a mandrel into an interior portion of the lead and applying a radial compressive force about the rigid member.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising annealing the compression joint.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the polymeric member comprises a thermoplastic material, and wherein annealing the compression joint causes reflow of the polymeric member within a cavity between the base and rigid member.