Stimulation lead design and method of manufacture
First Claim
1. An implantable medical electrical lead, which comprises:
- a) an elongate lead body comprising a sidewall surrounding a lumen having a length extending from a proximal lead portion to a distal lead portion;
b) at least one coil disposed in the lead body sidewall surrounding the lumen;
c) at least one proximal electrode disposed in the proximal lead portion;
d) at least one distal electrode disposed in the distal lead portion;
e) at least one wire of an electrically conductive metal disposed along the length of the lead body to provide electrical continuity from the proximal electrode to the distal electrode, wherein at least one of the proximal and distal electrodes is spaced radially outwardly from at least a portion of the coil and a portion of the lead wire protrudes through the lead body sidewall and resides between the at least one of the proximal and distal electrodes and the coil; and
f) wherein the at least one of the proximal and distal electrodes contacts the protruding portion of the wire.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is an implantable electrical stimulation lead for chronic or long term use that has an improved electrical connection between the electrode and conductor. This is accomplished through the use of metal coils embedded in the sidewall of the lead body. A wire conductor providing electrical continuity from a proximal electrode to a distal electrode has a protruding portion extending through the sidewall. This protruding portion can reside adjacent to either a proximal or a distal electrode. In any event, the protruding portion of the lire is captured underneath a ring electrode that is physically deformed into direct contact with the metal of the wire, preferably by swaging. This serve to make electrical conductivity between the wire and the electrode with the embedded coil serving as support during the swaging process.
92 Citations
29 Claims
-
1. An implantable medical electrical lead, which comprises:
-
a) an elongate lead body comprising a sidewall surrounding a lumen having a length extending from a proximal lead portion to a distal lead portion; b) at least one coil disposed in the lead body sidewall surrounding the lumen; c) at least one proximal electrode disposed in the proximal lead portion; d) at least one distal electrode disposed in the distal lead portion; e) at least one wire of an electrically conductive metal disposed along the length of the lead body to provide electrical continuity from the proximal electrode to the distal electrode, wherein at least one of the proximal and distal electrodes is spaced radially outwardly from at least a portion of the coil and a portion of the lead wire protrudes through the lead body sidewall and resides between the at least one of the proximal and distal electrodes and the coil; and f) wherein the at least one of the proximal and distal electrodes contacts the protruding portion of the wire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. An implantable medical electrical lead, which comprises:
-
a) an elongate lead body comprising a sidewall surrounding a lumen having a length extending from a proximal lead portion to a distal lead portion; b) at least one coil disposed in the lead body sidewall surrounding the lumen; c) at least one proximal electrode disposed in the proximal lead portion; d) at least one distal electrode disposed in the distal lead portion; e) at least one wire of an electrically conductive metal disposed along the length of the lead body to provide electrical continuity from the proximal electrode to the distal electrode, wherein at least one of the proximal and distal electrodes is spaced radially outwardly from at least a portion of the coil and a portion of the lead wire protrudes through the lead body sidewall and resides between the at least one of the proximal and distal electrodes and the coil; and f) wherein the at least one of the proximal and distal electrodes contacts the protruding portion of the wire and the protruding portion of the wire is characterized as having been deformed into a direct contact relationship with the coil.
-
-
21. A method for providing an implantable medical electrical lead, comprising the steps of:
-
a) providing an elongate lead body comprising a sidewall surrounding a lumen having a length extending from a proximal lead portion to a distal lead portion with at least one coil disposed in the lead body sidewall surrounding the lumen; b) providing at least one proximal electrode in the proximal lead portion and at least one distal electrode in the distal lead portion, wherein at least one of the proximal and distal electrodes is spaced radially outwardly from at least a portion of the coil; c) providing at least one wire of an electrically conductive metal extending along the length of the lead body with a portion of the lead wire protruding through the lead body sidewall and residing between the at least one of the proximal and distal electrodes and the coil; and d) providing the at least one of the proximal and distal electrodes into contact with the protruding portion of the wire. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
Specification