SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING IMPROVED LEAD EXTENSION CONNECTORS FOR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION SYSTEMS

• US 20120203302A1
• Filed: 02/08/2012
• Published: 08/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Moffitt, Michael Adam, Lane, Courtney, Barker, John Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,965,515 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor

Abstract

A lead extension for an electrical stimulation system includes a connector disposed on a first end of a body. The connector includes a housing defining at least one port. Each of the at least one ports is configured to receive a proximal end of a lead. A plurality of connector contacts are disposed in each of the at least one ports. The connector contacts are configured to electrically couple to terminals of a lead when the lead is received by the housing. A first connector flange extends outwardly from a first side of the housing. A plurality of conductors extend along a length of the lead extension and electrically couple at least one of the connector contacts to at least one terminal disposed on a second end of the body.

Claims

1. A lead extension for an electrical stimulation system, the lead extension comprising:

a lead extension body having a first end and an opposing second end, the lead extension body comprising at least one tail;

a plurality of lead extension terminals disposed on the second end of the lead extension body such that at least one of the plurality of lead extension terminals is disposed on each of the at least one tails; and

a connector disposed at the first end of the lead extension body, the connector having a first side and an opposing second side, the connector comprising

a connector housing defining at least one connector port, each of the at least one connector ports configured and arranged to receive a proximal end of a lead,

a plurality of connector contacts disposed in the connector port, the connector contacts configured and arranged to electrically couple to terminals of a lead when the lead is received by the connector housing, and

a first connector flange extending outwardly from the first side of the connector housing; and

a plurality of conductors extending along a length of the lead extension body, wherein each of the conductors electrically couples at least one of the lead extension terminals to at least one of the plurality of connector contacts.

2. The lead extension of claim 1, wherein the first connector flange has a bottom surface and an opposing top surface, and wherein the bottom surface is configured and arranged to lie against a patient'"'"'s skull when the lead extension is implanted into the patient.

3. The lead extension of claim 2, wherein the bottom surface is concave along a first axis.

4. The lead extension of claim 3, wherein the bottom surface is concave along a second axis that is different from the first axis.

5. The lead extension of claim 1, wherein the first connector flange comprises at least one tissue-coupling element.

6. The lead extension of claim 5, wherein the at least one tissue-coupling element is configured and arranged to promote tissue ingrowth.

7. The lead extension of claim 5, wherein the at least one tissue-coupling element is configured and arranged to couple the connector to patient tissue using at least one suture.

8. The lead extension of claim 5, wherein the at least one tissue-coupling element is configured and arranged to couple the connector to patient tissue using at least one screw.

9. The lead extension of claim 5, wherein the at least one tissue-coupling element comprises at least one ring.

10. The lead extension of claim 5, wherein the at least one tissue-coupling element comprises at least one mesh matrix.

11. The lead extension of claim 5, wherein the at least one tissue-coupling element comprises at least one recess defined in an outer surface of the first connector flange.

12. The lead extension of claim 1, wherein at least two connector ports are defined in the connector housing.

13. The lead extension of claim 1, wherein the connector housing comprises at least one tissue-coupling element configured and arranged to promote tissue ingrowth.

14. The lead extension of claim 1, further comprising a second connector flange extending outwardly from the second side of the connector housing.

15. The lead extension of claim 13, wherein the first connector flange and the second connector flange are disposed on the connector such that the first connector flange and the second connector flange are positioned directly across the connector housing from one another with respect to the longitudinal length of the connector.

16. The lead extension of claim 14, wherein the first connector flange and the second connector flange are disposed on the connector such that the first connector flange and the second connector flange are staggered from one another with respect to the longitudinal length of the connector.

17. An electrical stimulation system comprising:

the lead extension of claim 1;

a lead configured and arranged for insertion into the at least one connector port of the lead extension, the lead comprising

a lead body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length,

a plurality of electrodes disposed on the distal end of the lead body,

a plurality of lead terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead body, and

a plurality of conductors electrically coupling at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the lead terminals, the plurality of conductors extending along the longitudinal length of the lead body; and

a control unit coupleable to the second end of the lead extension body, the control unit configured and arranged for providing stimulation to the plurality of electrodes of the lead.

18. A method for stimulating patient tissue, the method comprising

providing the electrical stimulation system of claim 17;

inserting the lead of the electrical stimulation system partially within the skull of a patient such that the electrodes of the lead are within the patient'"'"'s skull and the terminals of the lead are external to the skull;

disposing the lead extension connector of the electrical stimulation system over the patient'"'"'s skull such that the first connector flange lies flat against the patient'"'"'s skull;

inserting the terminals of the lead into the at least one connector port of the lead extension connector;

coupling the second end of the lead extension body to the control unit; and

stimulating patient tissue using the electrodes of the lead using electrical pulses generated within the control unit.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising securing the lead extension connector to patient tissue using at least one tissue-coupling element configured and arranged for promoting tissue ingrowth.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising securing the lead extension connector to patient tissue using at least one tissue-coupling element configured and arranged for fastening the lead extension connector to patient tissue using at least one fastener.