IMPLANTABLE LEAD WITH FLEXIBLE PADDLE ELECTRODE ARRAY

• US 20160250461A1
• Filed: 05/10/2016
• Published: 09/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dubuclet, Jodi Townsley
• Granted Patent: US 9,682,228 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/477 Fusion bond, e.g., weld, etc.

Abstract

A neurostimulation system is disclosed herein. The neurostimulation system includes an implantable pulse generator and an implantable therapy lead configured to be electrically coupled to the implantable pulse generator. The implantable therapy lead includes a flexible paddle electrode array with flexible electrodes. Each flexible electrode has a segmented configuration having first and second electrode segments and a flexible bridge or living hinge joining together the first and second electrode segments.

Claims

1. A neurostimulation system comprising:

an implantable pulse generator; and

an implantable therapy lead configured to be electrically coupled to the implantable pulse generator and comprising a flexible paddle electrode array comprising;

a row of laterally aligned flexible electrodes, the row of laterally aligned flexible electrodes at least partially contributing to the formation of a flex line in the flexible paddle electrode; and

a row of laterally aligned nonflexible electrodes longitudinally offset from the row of laterally aligned flexible electrodes such the flex line does not extend across the row of laterally aligned nonflexible electrodes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a flexible electrode of the flexible electrodes comprises a first electrode segment and a second electrode segment spaced-apart from the first electrode segment, the flex line passing between the spaced-apart first and second electrode segments.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the flexible electrode of the flexible electrodes further comprises a flexible living hinge joining the spaced-apart first and second electrode segments, the flex line passing through the flexible living hinge and further wherein the flexible electrode is of unitary and continuous construction such that the first electrode segment, the second electrode segment and the flexible living hinge are formed from a single material piece during manufacturing of the flexible electrode;

and

wherein the forming during manufacturing of the flexible electrode comprises at least one of stamping or laser cutting.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the flexible living hinge comprises a V-shape or U-shape.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the flexible electrode is of an integrated construction such that at least one of the first electrode segment, the second electrode segment or the flexible living hinge are separate pieces joined together during manufacturing of the flexible electrode and further wherein the joining together during manufacturing of the flexible electrode comprises at least one of welding or crimping.