Notched electrode for electrostimulation lead

• US 7,489,971 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2005
• Issued: 02/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Franz, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Bockelman; Mark W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bertram; Eric D
• Application Number:
  US11/143,160
• Time in Patent Office: 1,349 Days
• Field of Search: 607/116
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes

Abstract

According to one embodiment, an electrode for use in electrostimulation is provided, where the electrode comprises a notch that operates to substantially eliminate gaseous material from being trapped about the electrode during a molding process of an electrostimulation lead.

Claims

1. An electrostimulation lead, comprising:

a lead body, including a proximal portion and a distal portion;

a plurality of conductors disposed within the lead body extending substantially from the proximal portion to the distal portion;

a plurality of cylindrical terminals at the proximal portion of the lead body, the plurality of terminals being surrounding by molded polymer material, wherein each terminal of the plurality of terminals comprises a plurality of notches disposed circumferentially along each outer peripheral edge of the respective terminal; and

a plurality of cylindrical electrodes at the distal portion of the lead body, the plurality of electrodes being surrounding by molded polymer material, the plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes with the plurality of terminals, wherein each electrode of the plurality of electrodes comprises a plurality of notches disposed circumferentially along each outer peripheral edge of the respective electrode, wherein each electrode of the plurality of electrodes comprises four notches on each peripheral edge operable to substantially eliminate gaseous material from being trapped about each electrode during a molding process of the electrostimulation lead.

2. The electrostimulation lead of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of conductors is welded to a respective notch of one of the electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.

3. The electrostimulation lead of claim 1 further comprising:

a distal end electrode comprising a plurality of notches on one peripheral edge of the distal end electrode.

4. The electrostimulation lead of claim 1 further comprising;

a proximal end terminal comprising a plurality of notches on one peripheral edge of the proximal end terminal.