Implantable medical device lead assembly having high efficiency, flexible electrode head
First Claim
1. A lead assembly adapted to transmit electrical signals between an implantable medical device and selected body tissue, the lead assembly having a proximal end and a distal end and an electrode head forming said distal end, the electrode head being a unitary soft flexible elastomeric structure having a tip surface portion for contacting selected body tissue and at least one electrically conductive electrode in electrical communication with the medical device and extending within the electrode head to the tip surface portion thereof for making electrical contact with the selected body tissue;
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable medical device lead assembly has an electrode head including a flexible tip of elastomeric material embedding at least one rigid or flexible electrode. The at least one electrode and the elastomeric material define a curved tip surface adapted to contact the tissue to be stimulated. The compliance of the tip surface preferably approaches that of the body tissue to be stimulated so as to minimize the stress applied to the heart thereby reducing the adverse reaction of the heart to the presence of the electrode head. By way of example, the at least one electrode may take the form of a metallic or conductive polymer pin or may be made of wire. The elastomeric material may take the form of an envelope disposed about the electrode head and having formed integrally therewith anchoring means preferably comprising a plurality of pliant tines.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A lead assembly adapted to transmit electrical signals between an implantable medical device and selected body tissue, the lead assembly having a proximal end and a distal end and an electrode head forming said distal end, the electrode head being a unitary soft flexible elastomeric structure having a tip surface portion for contacting selected body tissue and at least one electrically conductive electrode in electrical communication with the medical device and extending within the electrode head to the tip surface portion thereof for making electrical contact with the selected body tissue;
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the electrode head further including anchoring means projecting from the electrode head for anchoring the electrode head to the selected body tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A lead assembly having a proximal end adapted to be connected to an implantable medical device for stimulating selected body tissue comprising heart tissue, a distal end and an electrical conductor connecting said proximal and distal ends, the distal end having an electrode head being a unitary compliant elastomeric structure, the electrode head comprising:
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an electrically conductive base having a proximal end coupled to said electrical conductor, and a distal end; a plurality of electrically conductive electrodes connected to and projecting from the distal end of the base; the electrode head defining a tip surface adapted to contact the selected body tissue to be stimulated, the tip surface being compliant for flexing under the action of heartbeats for reducing stress on heart tissue; and anchoring means protecting from the electrode head for anchoring the electrode head to the selected body tissue. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. An electrode head adapted to be connected to the distal end of an implantable medical device lead assembly, the electrode head comprising:
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an electrically conductive base having a distal end; at least one electrode connected to and projecting from the distal end of the base;
the electrode head being formed of a unitary flexible elastomeric material in which said at least one electrode is embedded and defining therewith a flexible tip surface configured to contact selected body tissue to be stimulated by the implantable medical device, the tip surface flexing in response to relative motion of the body tissue for reducing stress on the body tissue; andanchoring means projecting from the electrode head for anchoring the electrode head to the selected body tissue. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification