Epidural lead electrode and insertion needle
First Claim
1. Apparatus for effecting electrical contact between tissue internal of a living body and a source of electrical stimulation energy, comprising:
- rigid sleeve means, forming a longitudinally disposed lumen, for penetrating tissues of said living body to position said apparatus in proximity to selected internal tissue, said sleeve means having a longitudinal slot disposed therein and extending along the length thereof, said slot being in communication with said lumen;
flexible electrically conductive lead means dimensioned so as to be longitudinally slidable through said lumen formed by said sleeve means, said lead means including an elongated body portion formed of a flexible physiologically inert dielectric material, said body portion being substantially oblong in cross-section and having flattened upper and lower surface portions; and
electrode means electrically connected to and carried on a first end of said lead means and adapted to be connected electrically through said lead means to the source of electrical stimulation energy, said electrode means being disposed on one of said flattened surface portions of said substantially oblong body portion.
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Abstract
Tissue stimulation apparatus for positive positioning of an electrode-bearing lead proximous to tissue which is to be stimulated electrically, the invention particularly includes a body penetration and insertion assembly which carries an elongated flexible strip of physiologically inert plastic material having at least one electrode positioned thereon into contacting relation with said tissue. The insertion assembly comprises a hollow needle having a slot formed longitudinally along the length of one wall thereof, the slot allowing transverse removal of the flexible lead from the needle after proper positioning of the lead and after removal of the needle from the body. The present slotted assembly allows use of a flexible electrode lead having electrical connections at the external end thereof which are too large to pass through the hollow needle.
384 Citations
16 Claims
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1. Apparatus for effecting electrical contact between tissue internal of a living body and a source of electrical stimulation energy, comprising:
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rigid sleeve means, forming a longitudinally disposed lumen, for penetrating tissues of said living body to position said apparatus in proximity to selected internal tissue, said sleeve means having a longitudinal slot disposed therein and extending along the length thereof, said slot being in communication with said lumen; flexible electrically conductive lead means dimensioned so as to be longitudinally slidable through said lumen formed by said sleeve means, said lead means including an elongated body portion formed of a flexible physiologically inert dielectric material, said body portion being substantially oblong in cross-section and having flattened upper and lower surface portions; and electrode means electrically connected to and carried on a first end of said lead means and adapted to be connected electrically through said lead means to the source of electrical stimulation energy, said electrode means being disposed on one of said flattened surface portions of said substantially oblong body portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification