Flexible band electrodes for medical leads

• US 6,493,590 B1
• Filed: 02/09/2000
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Micronet Medical, Inc. (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Pohndorf, Peter J., Wessman, Bradley J., Robinson, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAYNO, CARL HERNANDZ
• Application Number:
  US09/500,611
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 607/116-119, 607/122
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for use in stimulating a body tissue or organ that has a flexible band electrode. The band electrode includes at least one slot configured to provide increased flexibility. A lead having the electrode is also provided as well as a method for manufacturing a band electrode having at least one slot.

Claims

1. A band electrode for a medical device, comprising a conductive band configured to be secured to an exterior surface of a lead body with the conductive band having at least one slot cut through the conductive band to confer flexibility.

2. A band electrode, as in claim 1, wherein the conductive band has a plurality of slots cut through the conductive band with each of the plurality of slots extending through a line perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the conductive band.

3. A band electrode, as in claim 1, wherein the conductive band has an outside diameter between about 2 French and about 12 French.

4. A band electrode, as in claim 1, wherein the conductive band has an outside diameter of between about 2 French and about 4 French.

5. A band electrode, as in claim 1, wherein the conductive band is a material selected the group consisting of platinum, gold, silver, platinum-iridium, stainless steel and MP35N.

6. A method for manufacturing a band electrode for attachment to an exterior surface of a lead body, comprising:

providing a conductive cylindrical band; and

cutting at least one slot through the conductive cylindrical band to confer flexibility to the conductive cylindrical band.

7. A lead for a medical device, comprising:

a lead body having a conductor extending from a proximal end and a distal end of the lead body; and

at least one band electrode configured as a cylindrical band having at least one slot cut into the band to confer flexibility, wherein the electrode is secured to an exterior surface of the lead body.

8. A lead, as in claim 7, wherein the band electrode has a plurality of slots cut through the conductive band.

9. A lead, as in claim 7, wherein the lead body has an outside diameter between about 2 French and about 12 French.

10. A lead, as in claim 7, wherein the lead body has an outside diameter of between about 2 French and about 4 French.

11. A lead, as in claim 7, wherein the band electrode is a material selected the group consisting of platinum, gold, silver, platinum-iridium, stainless steel and MP35N.