High efficiency neurostimulation lead
First Claim
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1. An implantable medical lead comprising:
- a) an elongate lead body having a lead sidewall comprising a non-conducting material extending from a proximal lead portion to a distal lead portion, wherein a cross-section of the distal lead portion perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof has a substantially curved section extending to and meeting with a planar surface;
b) at least one electrical conductor extending between the proximal lead portion and the distal lead portion;
wherein the conductor is embedded within the lead body or extends within a lumen within the lead body; and
c) at least one electrode electrically coupled to the at least one conductor and disposed completely within the planar surface of the lead sidewall in the distal lead portion, the electrode comprising;
i) an electrode substrate having an upper substrate surface and a lower substrate surface, both extending to a substrate sidewall intermediate the upper and lower substrate surfaces, wherein the substrate sidewall defines a first perimeter;
ii) a hydrophilic coating supported on the upper substrate surface, the hydrophilic coating having an upper coating surface and a lower coating surface, both extending to a coating sidewall intermediate the upper and lower coating surfaces, wherein the coating sidewall defines a second perimeter; and
iii) wherein the second perimeter of the hydrophilic coating is spaced inwardly from the first perimeter of the electrode substrate to provide an upper edge of the upper substrate surface that is not contacted by the hydrophilic coating, but is directly contacted by the non-conductive material of the lead body to thereby lock the substrate in place completely within the planar surface of the lead sidewall.
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Abstract
Devices and methods for stimulating nerves, such as peripheral nerves are described. Some devices can include small cross-section lead bodies having one or more electrodes in the round distal portion, the electrodes having a substantially planar surface within the distal portion of the lead which is suitable for placement through a cylindrical needle intended to access a spinal region of a patient. Some lead electrodes are covered with a hydrophilic coating at least about 0.001 inches thick. The hydrophilic coating may include a steroid and/or a GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) agonist which can elute or diffuse over time, away from the electrode.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. An implantable medical lead comprising:
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a) an elongate lead body having a lead sidewall comprising a non-conducting material extending from a proximal lead portion to a distal lead portion, wherein a cross-section of the distal lead portion perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof has a substantially curved section extending to and meeting with a planar surface; b) at least one electrical conductor extending between the proximal lead portion and the distal lead portion;
wherein the conductor is embedded within the lead body or extends within a lumen within the lead body; andc) at least one electrode electrically coupled to the at least one conductor and disposed completely within the planar surface of the lead sidewall in the distal lead portion, the electrode comprising; i) an electrode substrate having an upper substrate surface and a lower substrate surface, both extending to a substrate sidewall intermediate the upper and lower substrate surfaces, wherein the substrate sidewall defines a first perimeter; ii) a hydrophilic coating supported on the upper substrate surface, the hydrophilic coating having an upper coating surface and a lower coating surface, both extending to a coating sidewall intermediate the upper and lower coating surfaces, wherein the coating sidewall defines a second perimeter; and iii) wherein the second perimeter of the hydrophilic coating is spaced inwardly from the first perimeter of the electrode substrate to provide an upper edge of the upper substrate surface that is not contacted by the hydrophilic coating, but is directly contacted by the non-conductive material of the lead body to thereby lock the substrate in place completely within the planar surface of the lead sidewall. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for implanting a medical lead, the method comprising:
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a) providing the medical lead comprising; i) an elongate lead body having a lead sidewall comprising a non-conducting material extending from a proximal lead portion to a distal lead portion, wherein a cross-section of the distal lead portion perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof has a substantially curved section extending to and meeting with a planar surface; ii) at least one electrical conductor extending between the proximal lead portion and the distal lead portion; and iii) at least one electrode disposed completely within the planar surface of the lead sidewall in the distal lead portion, the at least one electrode being electrically coupled to the at least one conductor, wherein the conductor is embedded within the lead body or extends within a lumen within the lead body;
the electrode further comprising an electrode substrate having an upper substrate surface and a lower substrate surface, both extending to a substrate sidewall intermediate the upper and lower substrate surfaces, wherein the substrate sidewall defines a first perimeter, a hydrophilic coating supported on the upper substrate surface, the hydrophilic coating having an upper coating surface and a lower coating surface, both extending to a coating sidewall intermediate the upper and lower coating surfaces, wherein the coating sidewall defines a second perimeter, and wherein the second perimeter of the hydrophilic coating is spaced inwardly from the first perimeter of the electrode substrate to provide an upper edge of the upper substrate surface that is not contacted by the hydrophilic coating, but is directly contacted by the non-conductive material of the lead body to thereby lock the substrate in place completely within the planar surface of the lead sidewall; andb) advancing the implantable medical electrical lead to a target site. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An implantable medical electrical lead, comprising;
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a) an elongate lead body having a lead sidewall comprising a non-conducting material extending from a proximal lead portion to a distal lead portion, wherein a cross-section of the distal lead portion perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof has a substantially curved section extending to and meeting with a planar surface; b) at least four electrical conductors extending between the proximal lead portion and the distal lead portion;
wherein the conductor is embedded within the lead body or extends within a lumen within the lead body;c) at least four electrodes disposed completely within the planar surface of the lead sidewall in the distal lead portion, the at least four electrodes each being electrically coupled to at least one of the at least four conductors, wherein each electrode comprises; i) an electrode substrate having an upper substrate surface and a lower substrate surface, both extending to a substrate sidewall intermediate the upper and lower substrate surfaces, wherein the substrate sidewall defines a first perimeter; ii) a hydrophilic coating supported on the upper substrate surface, the hydrophilic coating having an upper coating surface and a lower coating surface, both extending to a coating sidewall intermediate the upper and lower coating surfaces, wherein the coating sidewall defines a second perimeter; and iii) wherein the second perimeter of the hydrophilic coating is spaced inwardly from the first perimeter of the electrode substrate to provide an upper edge of the upper substrate surface that is not contacted by the hydrophilic coating, but is directly contacted by the non-conductive material of the lead body to thereby lock the substrate in place completely within the planar surface of the lead sidewall. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification