Lead with lead stiffener for implantable electrical stimulation systems and methods of making and using
First Claim
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1. An implantable lead assembly comprising:
- a lead configured and arranged for insertion into a patient, the lead comprisinga non-conductive lead body having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, an outer surface, and a longitudinal length,a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end portion of the lead body,a plurality of terminals disposed along the outer surface of the proximal end portion of the lead body,a central lumen defined in the lead body and extending along the longitudinal length of the lead body from the proximal end portion of the lead body towards the distal end portion of the lead body, anda plurality of conductor wires electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals; and
a tubular stiffener having a first end portion, an opposing second end portion, an intermediate portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, a longitudinal length, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter, the tubular stiffener disposed in the central lumen of the lead body radially beneath at least one of the plurality of terminals with a portion of the non-conductive lead body disposed radially between the tubular stiffener and the plurality of terminals, wherein the tubular stiffener is configured and arranged to facilitate insertion of the proximal end portion of the lead body into a connector, and wherein the tubular stiffener comprises a spiraling cut defined along the longitudinal length of the tubular stiffener, wherein the entire tubular stiffener is disposed proximal to the plurality of electrodes.
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Abstract
A lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed on the distal end of the lead, a plurality of contact terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead, a plurality of conductor wires extending along the lead to couple the electrodes electrically to the contact terminals, a central lumen defined by the lead and extending from the proximal end of the lead towards the distal end of the lead, and a tubular stiffener disposed in the proximal end of the central lumen. The tubular stiffener is configured and arranged to facilitate insertion of the proximal end of the lead into a connector.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An implantable lead assembly comprising:
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a lead configured and arranged for insertion into a patient, the lead comprising a non-conductive lead body having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, an outer surface, and a longitudinal length, a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end portion of the lead body, a plurality of terminals disposed along the outer surface of the proximal end portion of the lead body, a central lumen defined in the lead body and extending along the longitudinal length of the lead body from the proximal end portion of the lead body towards the distal end portion of the lead body, and a plurality of conductor wires electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals; and a tubular stiffener having a first end portion, an opposing second end portion, an intermediate portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, a longitudinal length, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter, the tubular stiffener disposed in the central lumen of the lead body radially beneath at least one of the plurality of terminals with a portion of the non-conductive lead body disposed radially between the tubular stiffener and the plurality of terminals, wherein the tubular stiffener is configured and arranged to facilitate insertion of the proximal end portion of the lead body into a connector, and wherein the tubular stiffener comprises a spiraling cut defined along the longitudinal length of the tubular stiffener, wherein the entire tubular stiffener is disposed proximal to the plurality of electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification