Low impedance implantable extension for a neurological electrical stimulator

• US 6,950,709 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2003
• Issued: 09/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Baudino, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl
• Application Number:
  US10/686,108
• Publication Number:
  US 20040078070A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607115-117, 607/122
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36067 Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply

Abstract

A medical device known as an implantable neurostimulation system is configured for implanting in humans to deliver a therapeutic electrical stimulation to tissue to treat a variety of medical conditions such as pain, movement disorders, pelvic floor disorders, and many other conditions. The implantable neurostimulation has a housing, a power supply carried in the housing, stimulation electronics coupled to the battery and coupled to a neurostimulator connector block, a stimulation lead, and a lead extension. The lead extension is electrically coupleable between the neurostimulation connector block and the stimulation lead. The extension conductor is composed of an outer surface and an inner core. The outer surface has an outer impedance and the inner core has a core impedance that is substantially lower than the outer impedance. Many embodiments of the low impedance lead extension are possible.

Claims

1. An low impedance conductor for a low impedance extension, comprising:

an outer surface selected for mechanical properties of flexibility and electrical connections having an outer impedance; and

,

an inner core selected for conductivity having a core impedance that is substantially lower than the outer impedance;

wherein the inner core an outer surface have a composite resistance in the range from about 0.05 to about 0.3 ohms per centimeter.

2. The low impedance conductor as in claim 1, wherein the extension conductor is constructed of drawn filled tubing.

3. The low impedance conductor as in claim 1, wherein the extension conductor is constructed of more than one wire strand.

4. The impedance conductor as in claim 1, wherein the extension conductor has an outer insulator surrounding the outer surface of the extension conductor.