IMPLANTABLE SPIRAL WOUND STIMULATION ELECTRODES

• US 3,760,812 A
• Filed: 03/19/1971
• Issued: 09/25/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gerald W. Timm, William Eugene Bradley
• Original Assignee: Gerald W. Timm, William Eugene Bradley
• Inventors: Timm, Gerald W., Bradley, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/126,145
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 128/404,416,418,419E 174/113C,130
• 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

Abstract

Electrical stimulation electrodes for implantation within a living body for transmission of stimuli to excitable neural or contractile cells. The electrodes are characterized by flexibility to permit following of contour variations and maintenance of electrical contact with the stimulation region. The electrodes include a pair of parallel spaced apart helically wound conductors maintained in this configuration. When the electrode is implanted, undesired excitation of nearby structures can be avoided.

Claims

1. An electrical stimulation electrode for implantation in a living body, said electrode consisting essentially of:

A. a pair of elongated parallel spaced apart helically wound electrical conductors, said conductors being conductive filaments, B. means for supporting and maintaining said conductors in parallel spaced apart helically wound configuration, said means comprising;

1. a pair of elongated parallel spaced apart helically wound insulative spacer strands, said spacer strands being alternated with said conductors and wound in the same direction, and 2. two pairs of elongated parallel spaced apart helically wound insulative supporting strands, said supporting strands being wound in the opposite direction from said conductors and spacer strands and interwoven therewith, and C. insulated conductor means for connecting said helically wound conductors to a source of electrical stimuli.

2. An electrical stimulation electrode according to claim 1 further characterized in that said conductors are spaced apart a distance about equal to the diameter of the helical configuration.

3. An electrical stimulation electrode according to claim 2 further characterized in that the spacing between said conductors and the diameter of said helaical configuration are between about 1 and 3 mm.

4. An electrical stimulation electrode according to claim 1 further characterized in that said insulative strands are formed from nylon.

5. An electrical stimulation electrode according to claim 1 further characterized in that said insulative strands are formed from silk.

6. An electrical stimulation electrode according to claim 1 further characterized in that said insulative strands are formed from polyester.

7. An electrical stimulation electrode according to claim 1 further characterized in that said conductors are formed from stainless steel wire.

8. An electrical stimulation electrode according to claim 1 further characterized in that said conductors are formed from platinum wire.

9. An electrical stimulation electrode according to claim 1 further characterized in that said conductors are formed from platinum alloy wire.

10. An electrical stimulation electrode according to claim 1 further characterized in that said conductors are formed from carbon impregnated polyester filament.