VARIABLE STIFFNESS MULTI-LUMEN LEAD BODY FOR AN IMPANTABLE LEAD
First Claim
1. A medical electrical lead comprising:
- a multi-lumen lead body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least two lumens extending within the lead body, the lead body including at least a first portion comprising a first polymeric material blend having a first ratio of at least two polymeric materials of differing durometers, the first portion gradually transitioning to a second portion located distal the first portion comprising a second polymeric material blend having a second ratio of the at least two polymeric materials of differing durometers and wherein the second polymeric blend has a lower durometer than the first polymeric material blend;
at least one conductor extending within one of the two or more lumens; and
at least one electrode located on the lead body and operatively connected to the at least one conductor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-lumen lead body having a smooth transition between regions of varying stiffness on the lead body is described. In one example, the different regions of the lead body can be formed by altering a mix ratio of the different polymers used to form the lead body during the extrusion process. In another example, two or more layers of polymeric materials are co-extruded, and the cross-sectional thicknesses of each of the layers varied in the different regions of the lead body to achieve different stiffnesses. In yet another example, the internal geometry of the lead body is altered during the extrusion process to alter the physical properties of the lead body in a select region of the lead body. In still yet another example, a transition member is provided between regions of varying stiffness to facilitate a smooth transition between the different regions.
28 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A medical electrical lead comprising:
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a multi-lumen lead body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least two lumens extending within the lead body, the lead body including at least a first portion comprising a first polymeric material blend having a first ratio of at least two polymeric materials of differing durometers, the first portion gradually transitioning to a second portion located distal the first portion comprising a second polymeric material blend having a second ratio of the at least two polymeric materials of differing durometers and wherein the second polymeric blend has a lower durometer than the first polymeric material blend; at least one conductor extending within one of the two or more lumens; and at least one electrode located on the lead body and operatively connected to the at least one conductor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A medical electrical lead comprising:
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a multi-lumen lead body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least two lumens extending within the lead body, the lead body including a proximal portion comprising a first material and a distal portion comprising a second material coupled to the proximal portion at a transition region;
wherein a wall thickness of the proximal portion continuously decreases in a direction from the proximal end toward the distal portion;at least one conductor extending within one of the two or more lumens; and at least one electrode located on the distal portion of the lead body and operatively connected to the at least one conductor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of fabricating a multi-lumen lead body for a medical electrical lead including at least one portion having a varying durometer, the method comprising the steps of:
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mixing a first polymeric material having a first durometer with a second polymeric material having a second durometer to form a mixture having a mix ratio of the first polymeric material to the second polymeric material; and extruding the mixture to form at least one portion of the multi-lumen lead body while continuously altering the mix ratio to vary the stiffness of the at least one portion. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method of fabricating a multi-lumen lead body for a medical electrical lead including at least one portion having a varying stiffness, the method comprising the steps of:
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extruding at least a first polymeric material having a first durometer; and continuously altering a wall thickness of the first material to vary the stiffness of the at least one portion of the lead body. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification