Trailing tine electrode lead
First Claim
1. A trailing tine electrode lead comprising:
- a. an exposed conductive distal tip and a conductive shank supporting said distal tip;
b. an electrical conductor coupled to the proximal end of said shank;
c. insulating means for insulating said shank and said conductor, said insulating means including a transitional section having a proximal end; and
d. means connected to said insulating means at, and trailing behind, said proximal end of said transitional section for anchoring said electrode lead, said anchoring means comprising a plurality of foldable, flexible tines, said tines extending at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said electrical conductor and when folded collapsing within the circumference of said transitional section.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medically implantable electrode lead for muscle stimulation comprising an electrode assembly with an exposed conductive distal tip which is coupled by an electrical conductor to a source of electrical pulses. The electrode assembly and electrical conductor are encased in an electrical insulator. The insulator has extending from it a plurality of flexible tines which are adapted to hold the exposed distal tip into position. To facilitate insertion of the distal tip into the desired location, especially when inserting the distal tip through a small opening such as a small vein, the insulator includes a transitional, truncated cone section between the distal tip and the tines. The outside diameter of the distal end of the cone section equals the outside diameter of the distal tip and the outside diameter of the proximal end of the cone section equals the outside diameter of the tines when they are folded into a closed position.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A trailing tine electrode lead comprising:
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a. an exposed conductive distal tip and a conductive shank supporting said distal tip; b. an electrical conductor coupled to the proximal end of said shank; c. insulating means for insulating said shank and said conductor, said insulating means including a transitional section having a proximal end; and d. means connected to said insulating means at, and trailing behind, said proximal end of said transitional section for anchoring said electrode lead, said anchoring means comprising a plurality of foldable, flexible tines, said tines extending at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said electrical conductor and when folded collapsing within the circumference of said transitional section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20)
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14. A trailing tine electrode lead comprising:
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a. an exposed conductive distal tip and a conductive shank supporting said distal tips; b. an electrical conductor coupled to the proximal end of said shank; c. insulating means for insulating said shank and said conductor; and d. a plurality of flexible tines attached to said insulating means and extending from said insulating means at an acute angle with the axis of said conductor, said angle opening away from said electrode tip, wherein said insulating means includes a first section beginning at said tines and extending away from said distal tip and said insulating means includes a second section, at least a portion of which has the form of a truncated cone, said second section being located between said distal tip and said first section, the distal end of said second section having a first radius matching the radius of said distal tip, and the proximal end of said second section having a second radius matching the sum of the outside radius of said first section plus the thickness of one of said tines, and wherein said tines are attached to said insulating means at the transition between said first and second sections such that said tines may be folded proximally to lie flat against said first section, and such that when so folded, said tines present a maximum radius equal to and effectively continuous with said second radius of said second section. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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15. A trailing tine electrode lead comprising:
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a. an exposed conductive distal tip and a conductive shank supporting said distal tip; b. an electrical conductor coupled to the proximal end of said shank; c. insulating means for insulating said shank and said conductor; and d. a plurality of flexible tines attached to said insulating means and extending from said insulating means at an acute angle with the axis of said conductor, said angle opening away from said electrode tip, wherein said insulating means includes a first section beginning at said tines and extending away from said distal tip and said insulating means includes a second section, at least a portion of which has the form of a truncated cone, said second section being located between said distal tip and said first section, the distal end of said second section having a first radius matching the radius of said distal tip, and the proximal end of said second section having a second radius matching the sum of the outside radius of said first section plus the thickness of one of said tines, and wherein said tines are attached to said insulating means at the transition between said first and second sections such that said tines may be folded proximally to lie flat against said first section behind said second section.
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Specification