Systems and methods for altering one or more RF-response properties of electrical stimulation systems
First Claim
1. A method for forming an implantable lead, the method comprising:
- disposing an elongated conductor in a lead body of the lead;
disposing at least one safety element entirely within at least one lumen defined within an outer layer of the lead body, the safety element configured and arranged to reduce damage to patient tissue adjacent to the plurality of electrodes due to heating, induced electrical signals, or both when the lead is exposed to radio frequency irradiation, wherein the at least one safety element is disposed on or in a stylet insertable into the at least one lumen of the lead body, and wherein the at least one safety element is configured and arranged to remain disposed within the at least one lumen after the lead is implanted into a patient;
coupling a first end of the conductor to an electrode disposed on a distal end of the lead;
coupling a second end of the conductor to a terminal disposed on a proximal end of the lead; and
electrically coupling the terminal to a control module configured and arranged to generate electrical signals for stimulating patient tissue via the electrode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable lead includes a lead body and at least one safety element. The lead body has a distal end and a proximal end. The lead body defines at least one lumen extending along at least a portion of the lead body. The lead body includes a plurality of electrodes disposed on the distal end of the lead body, a plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead body, and a plurality of conductors disposed in the lead body, each conductor electrically coupling at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals. The at least one safety element is disposed along at least a portion of the lead body and is configured and arranged to reduce damage to patient tissue adjacent to the plurality of electrodes due to heating, induced electrical signals, or both when the lead is exposed to radio frequency irradiation.
100 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for forming an implantable lead, the method comprising:
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disposing an elongated conductor in a lead body of the lead; disposing at least one safety element entirely within at least one lumen defined within an outer layer of the lead body, the safety element configured and arranged to reduce damage to patient tissue adjacent to the plurality of electrodes due to heating, induced electrical signals, or both when the lead is exposed to radio frequency irradiation, wherein the at least one safety element is disposed on or in a stylet insertable into the at least one lumen of the lead body, and wherein the at least one safety element is configured and arranged to remain disposed within the at least one lumen after the lead is implanted into a patient; coupling a first end of the conductor to an electrode disposed on a distal end of the lead; coupling a second end of the conductor to a terminal disposed on a proximal end of the lead; and electrically coupling the terminal to a control module configured and arranged to generate electrical signals for stimulating patient tissue via the electrode.
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2. An implantable lead comprising:
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lead body having a distal end, a proximal end, an outer layer and a longitudinal length, the lead body defining at least one lumen within the outer layer of the lead body, the at least one lumen extending along at least a portion of the lead body. the lead body comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed on the distal end of the lead body. a plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead body, and a plurality of conductors disposed in the lead body, each conductor electrically coupling at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals; at least one safety element disposed entirely within at least a portion of the at least one lumen the at least one safety element configured and arranged to reduce damage to patient tissue adjacent to the plurality of electrodes due to heating, induced electrical signals, or both when the lead is exposed to radio frequency irradiation, wherein the at least one safety element is configured and arranged to remain disposed within the at least one lumen after the lead is implanted; and a stylet insertable into the at least one lumen of the lead body, wherein the at least one safety element is disposed on or in the stylet. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An electrical stimulating system comprising:
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an implantable lead with a lead body having a distal end, a proximal end, an outer layer, and a longitudinal length, the lead body defining at least one lumen within the outer layer of the lead body, the at least one lumen extending along at least a portion of the lead body, the lead body comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed on the distal end of the lead body, a plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead body, and a plurality of conductors disposed in the lead body, each conductor electrically coupling at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals; and at least one safety element disposed entirely within at least a portion of the at least one lumen, the at least one safety element configured and arranged to reduce damage to patient tissue adjacent to the plurality of electrodes due to heating, induced electrical signals, or both when the lead is exposed to radio frequency irradiation, wherein the at least one safety element is configured and arranged to remain disposed within the at least one lumen after the lead is implanted; a stylet insertable into the at least one lumen of the lead body, wherein the at least one safety element is disposed on or in the stylet; a control module configured and arranged to electrically couple to the proximal end of the lead body, the control module comprising a housing, and an electronic subassembly disposed in the housing; and a connector for receiving the lead, the connector having a proximal end and a distal end the connector comprising a connector housing defining a port at the distal end of the connector, the port configured and arranged for receiving the proximal end of the lead body, and a plurality of connector contacts disposed in the connector housing, the connector contacts configured and arranged to couple to at least one of the plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead body. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification