Directional stimulation lead and orientation system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A stimulation lead for applying electrical pulses to tissue of a patient, comprising:
- a lead body of an insulative material;
a plurality of conductors within the lead body;
a plurality of terminals at a proximal end of the lead body for electrically coupling with a pulse generator;
a plurality of electrodes at a distal end of the lead body for applying electrical pulses to tissue of the patient, each of the plurality of electrodes circumscribing the lead body;
an insulative member disposed over the plurality of electrodes, the insulative member having a respective opening for each of the plurality of electrodes that only exposes a limited angular range of each electrode; and
a marking structure for determining an angular orientation of the lead body, the marking structure disposed to at least partially circumscribe the lead body, wherein the marking structure comprises a radio-opaque portion such that an edge of the marking structure between the radio-opaque portion and a non-radio-opaque portion is substantially aligned with a mid-line of the exposed angular range of each electrode of the plurality of electrodes.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lead, method of manufacturing same, and system for stimulation is provided. The lead includes an insulative member or layer that masks a portion of the electrode(s) to effectively generate a directional lead that focuses or directs the stimulation to desired location(s). In another embodiment, the lead further includes a marking system to allow a clinician to orient the directional lead, as desired, while the lead is within a body.
59 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A stimulation lead for applying electrical pulses to tissue of a patient, comprising:
-
a lead body of an insulative material; a plurality of conductors within the lead body; a plurality of terminals at a proximal end of the lead body for electrically coupling with a pulse generator; a plurality of electrodes at a distal end of the lead body for applying electrical pulses to tissue of the patient, each of the plurality of electrodes circumscribing the lead body; an insulative member disposed over the plurality of electrodes, the insulative member having a respective opening for each of the plurality of electrodes that only exposes a limited angular range of each electrode; and a marking structure for determining an angular orientation of the lead body, the marking structure disposed to at least partially circumscribe the lead body, wherein the marking structure comprises a radio-opaque portion such that an edge of the marking structure between the radio-opaque portion and a non-radio-opaque portion is substantially aligned with a mid-line of the exposed angular range of each electrode of the plurality of electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method of fabricating a stimulation lead for applying electrical pulses to tissue of a patient, the method comprising:
-
providing a lead body of an insulative material with a plurality of conductors within the lead body; providing a plurality of terminals at a proximal end of the lead body for electrically coupling with a pulse generator; providing a plurality of electrodes at a distal end of the lead body for applying electrical pulses to tissue of the patient, each of the plurality of electrodes circumscribing the lead body; providing an insulative member disposed over the plurality of electrodes, the insulative member having a respective opening for each of the plurality of electrodes that only exposes a limited angular range of each electrode; and providing a marking structure for determining an angular orientation of the lead body, the marking structure disposed to at least partially circumscribe the lead body, wherein the marking structure comprises a radio-opaque portion such that an edge of the marking structure between the radio-opaque portion and a non-radio-opaque portion is substantially aligned with a mid-line of the exposed angular range of each electrode of the plurality of electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification