Methods for securing electrode leads

• US 9,079,012 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2012
• Issued: 07/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Johnson, Corinne H., Miazga, Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Donghai D
• Application Number:
  US13/354,501
• Publication Number:
  US 20120110844A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• Field of Search: 298/57, 29861-853, 298/76, 29861-863, 174/84.C, 607/116, 607/129, 439/359, 439/909
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0476 Array electrodes (including any electrode arrangement with more than one electrode for at least one of the polarities)
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/048 Electrodes characterised by a specific connection between lead and electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49185 of terminal

Abstract

Methods for securing electrode leads are disclosed. An electrode system in accordance with one embodiment includes an electrode contact, a connector attached to the electrode contact, and an electrical lead. The electrical lead can be received in an opening of the contact, with an inner surface of the opening applying a generally uniform radial pressure around a circumference of the electrical lead. For example, the contact can have a tubular shape, optionally with an elongated slit, and can be crimped around the lead to apply the generally uniform radial pressure.

Claims

1. A method for forming an electrode connection, comprising:

providing an electrode contact with the contact being generally planar;

providing an electrically conductive connector with the connector having an elongated u-shaped channel, the channel having first end, second end, and middle portions, the connector further having a first tab extending from a first side of the middle portion of the channel and a second tab extending from a second side of the middle portion of the channel;

connecting the connector to the electrode contact using the first and second tabs;

receiving an electrical lead in the channel of the connector; and

applying a generally uniform radial pressure around a portion of a circumference of the lead with the connector at each of the first end and second end portions of the connector.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of applying radial pressure includes crimping at least one of the first end and second end portions of the connector around the electrical lead.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying radial pressure includes crimping each of the first end and second end portions of the connector around the electrical lead.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving an electrical lead includes threadably engaging the electrical lead with the connector.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving an electrical lead includes spreading at least a portion of the channel apart and inserting the lead into the opening.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving an electrical lead includes receiving an electrical lead that is a tightly wound about an elongated axis.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the connector includes a shape-memory metal, and wherein applying pressure includes changing a temperature of the connector.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the lead includes an elongated central passage, and wherein the method further comprises inserting a mandrel into the central passage before applying pressure.