Process for making an incontinence electrode

• US 5,516,396 A
• Filed: 09/23/1994
• Issued: 05/14/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Encore Medical Asset Corporation (Enovis Corp.)
• Original Assignee: EMPI Incorporated (Enovis Corp.)
• Inventors: Kipnis, Alexander, Maurer, Donald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): YODER, MICHELE
• Application Number:
  US08/311,415
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 156/242, 29/881, 29/883, 29/884, 439/495, 439/496, 264/104, 264/262, 264/105, 264/272.14, 128/642, 607/40, 607/41, 607/134, 607/135, 607/138, 601/15
• US Class Current: 156/242
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00523 Treatment of incontinence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0524 Vaginal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4922 with molding of insulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49222 forming array of contacts or terminals

Abstract

An incontinence electrode for controlling urinary incontinence in women is made of alternating bands of conductive and non-conductive polymers molded to form a tubular body. Electrical receptacles, formed in the molding process at the interior circumferential surface of the conductive polymer bands, accept metal contacts attached to electrical leads to make a secure and durable, mechanical and electrical connection between the conductive polymer bands and the leads. The leads are coupled to a controller and carry electrical current to and from the metal contacts which then distribute the current to the conductive polymer bands to cause a contraction of the vaginal muscles responsible for controlling urinary incontinence in women.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a neuromuscular stimulator electrode comprising:

forming an assembly which includes a plurality of spaced conductive polymer sections, and a plurality of lead wires with a connector pin at an end of each lead wire, in which at least one connector pin is positioned within each of the conductive polymer sections;

placing the assembly of spaced conductive polymer sections within an electrode mold; and

molding non-conductive polymer to the assembly to form an integral electrode having an elongated tubular body with the conductive polymer sections separated and supported by non-conductive polymer sections.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein forming the assembly comprises:

molding a plurality of spaced conductive polymer sections, each section including a pin receptacle; and

inserting a connector pin and lead wire into the pin receptacle in each conductive polymer section.

3. A method of making a neuromuscular stimulator electrode, the method comprising:

forming an assembly comprising a plurality of spaced conductive polymer sections and a plurality of lead wires, wherein at least one lead wire is electrically connected to each conductive polymer section;

placing the assembly of spaced conductive polymer sections within an electrode mold; and

molding nonconductive polymer to the assembly to form an integral tubular electrode having the conductive polymer sections separated and supported by non-conductive polymer sections.

4. A method of making an electrode comprising:

forming conductive polymer sections each of which includes an electrical receptacle;

inserting into each receptacle a contact that is electrically coupled to an electrical lead;

spacing a plurality of the conductive polymer sections in an electrode mold;

molding nonconductive polymer to the plurality of conductive polymer sections to form an elongate tubular electrode body with the plurality conductive polymer sections being separated and supported by non-conductive polymer sections.