Refillable reservoir lead systems

• US 7,813,811 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2007
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neuropace Inc.
• Original Assignee: Neuropace Inc.
• Inventors: Morrell, Martha J., Boling, C. Lance, Wingeier, Brett M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Manuel; George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wieland; Robert N
• Application Number:
  US11/704,534
• Publication Number:
  US 20080195160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 607/43, 607/117, 607/3, 607/56, 607/137, 607/17, 607/116, 607/120, 607/127, 607/2, 604500-503, 604/96.01, 604/103.01, 604/103.06, 604/21, 604/103.08, 604/890.1, 424/130.1, 424/464, 424/473, 424/447, 424/448, 424/449, 424/368, 424/423, 310/328, 600/301, 600/573, 606/41, 606/119, 606/120, 606/127
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0536 Preventing neurodegenerative response or inflammatory reaction
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0568 with drug delivery

Abstract

Medical electrical lead systems and related methods are described. The medical electrical lead systems may be configured to be at least partially implanted in a body of a subject. Some variations of the medical electrical lead systems may comprise a lead body comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending at least partially therebetween, at least one electrode in the proximity of the distal end of the lead body, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the lumen, where the reservoir is located at a position removed from the distal end of the lead body. Certain variations of the medical electrical lead systems may comprise a lead body comprising a proximal end and a distal end and first and second lumens extending at least partially therebetween, and at least one electrode in the proximity of the distal end of the lead body.

Claims

1. A medical electrical lead system configured to be at least partially implanted in a body of a subject, comprising:

a lead body comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a first lumen extending at least partially therebetween;

at least one electrode in the proximity of the distal end of the lead body; and

a reservoir in fluid communication with the first lumen and in the form of a second lumen of the lead body or a protrusion extending from the first lumen of the lead body, wherein the protrusion is configured to be refilled whether the protrusion is implanted in the body of the subject or external to the body of the subject during use,

wherein the reservoir is located at a position removed from the distal end of the lead body.

2. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the lead system is configured to be at least partially implanted in neural tissue of a subject.

3. The lead system of claim 2, wherein the lead system is configured to be at least partially implanted in a brain of a subject.

4. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is located in the proximity of the proximal end of the lead body.

5. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is configured to be activated by a pump.

6. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is in the form of a protrusion extending from the first lumen of the lead body, wherein the protrusion is configured to be refilled whether the protrusion is implanted in the body of the subject or external to the body of the subject during use.

7. The lead system of claim 6, wherein the protrusion extends from the first lumen of the lead body and surrounds a portion of the lead body.

8. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the lead system is configured to allow at least one bioactive agent to passively advance from the reservoir through the first lumen of the lead body.

9. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the lead system is configured for release of at least one bioactive agent therefrom by at least one of diffusion, elution, or effusion.

10. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is configured to be secured to a skull of a subject.

11. The lead system of claim 1, further comprising at least one conductor disposed within the lead body.

12. The lead system of claim 11, wherein the at least one conductor is wound around the first lumen.

13. The lead system of claim 12, wherein the at least one conductor is coiled around the first lumen.

14. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the lead body is formed of at least one permeable material.

15. The lead system of claim 14, wherein the proximal end of the lead body is formed of at least one substantially impermeable material.

16. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the lead body is formed of at least one substantially impermeable material.

17. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the lead system is configured to be connected to an implantable medical device.

18. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the lead body is integral with the reservoir.

19. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is in the form of a second lumen of the lead body.

20. The lead system of claim 19, wherein the reservoir is refillable.

21. The lead system of claim 1, further comprising a valve located between the reservoir and the first lumen.

22. The lead system of claim 21, wherein the valve comprises a check valve.

23. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises MRI-visible markers.

24. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises radiopaque markers.