Tension loop for a spinal cord stimulator

• US 9,802,037 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2015
• Issued: 10/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bradley D. Vilims
• Original Assignee: Bradley D. Vilims
• Inventors: Vilims, Bradley D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carey, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Natasha
• Application Number:
  US14/639,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20160256678A1
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/086 Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] compatible leads

Abstract

An electrical stimulation device comprises a stimulation lead with a tension section to prevent induction of an electrical current when the electrical stimulation device is in the presence of a magnetic field generated by a device such as an MRI machine. The tension section is shaped to organize excess length of the stimulation lead while providing a variable length between a distal end of the stimulation lead and an electrical source. The shape of the tension section avoids coils and may utilize combinations of straight and curved legs that lie substantially in a common plane to both organize excess length of the stimulation lead and prevent electrical induction.

Claims

1. A tension section for an electrical stimulation device for treating tissue, said section comprising:

a body having a plurality of legs, said body having a shape that changes lengths between a first relaxed state and a second stressed state, wherein said shape of said body including said legs lies substantially in a common plane to prevent induction of an electric current when said electrical stimulation device is subjected to a magnetic field;

wherein said first relaxed state is defined when no external forces constrain the body and the second stressed state is defined when no external forces constrain the body except for a tension force applied to said body;

a first end of said body interconnected with a proximal end of a stimulation lead of said electrical stimulation device; and

a second end of said body interconnected with a source of electrical energy, said stimulation lead communicating with said source of electrical energy through said tension section for providing electrical stimulation of tissue proximate to a distal end of said stimulation lead; and

said plurality of legs being disposed between said first and second ends of said body;

said body further comprises a longitudinal axis extending along said body; and

said plurality of legs comprising (a) a first straight leg offset from said longitudinal axis by a first angle when said shape is in said first relaxed state, and said first straight leg is offset from said axis by a second angle when said shape is in said second stressed state, said first angle is different than said second angle, and (b) a second straight leg connected to said first straight leg along said longitudinal axis, said second straight leg offset from said longitudinal axis by a first angle when said shape is in said first relaxed state, and said second straight leg is offset from said axis by a second different angle when said shape is in said second stressed state.

2. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said shape of said tension section is not a coil.

3. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

a conductive mesh is disposed about at least a portion of said tension section, said mesh dissipates said electric current generated by subjection to said magnetic field.

4. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said source of electrical energy is an implantable medical device with a pulse generator.

5. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said body comprises a conducting wire that extends between said first end and said second of said body, said conducting wire providing said communication between said stimulation lead and said source of electrical energy through said tension section.

6. A device, as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said conducting wire of said body of said tension section is at least partially comprised of at least one of copper-aluminum-nickel, nickel-titanium, iron-manganese-silicon, copper-zinc-aluminum, copper-zinc-aluminum, copper-zinc-tin, silver-cadmium, gold-cadmium, copper-tin, copper-zinc, iron-platinum, manganese copper, various platinum alloys, cobalt-nickel-aluminum, cobalt-nickel-gallium, nickel-iron-gallium, titanium-palladium, nickel-titanium-niobium, nickel-manganese-gallium, and copper-aluminum-nickel.

7. A tension section for an electrical stimulation device for treating tissue, said section comprising:

a body having a plurality of legs, said body having a shape that changes lengths between a first relaxed state and a second stressed state, wherein said shape of said body including said legs lies substantially in a common plane to prevent induction of an electric current when said electrical stimulation device is subjected to a magnetic field;

wherein said first relaxed state is defined when no external forces constrain the body and the second stressed state is defined when no external forces constrain the body except for a tension force applied to said body;

a first end of said body interconnected with a proximal end of a stimulation lead of said electrical stimulation device; and

a second end of said body interconnected with a source of electrical energy, said stimulation lead communicating with said source of electrical energy through said tension section for providing electrical stimulation of tissue proximate to a distal end of said stimulation lead;

said plurality of legs comprises (a) a first curved leg having a first radius when said shape is in said first relaxed state, and said first curved leg having a second radius when said shape is in said second stressed state, said first radius is smaller than said second radius, and (b) a second curved leg connected to the first curved leg and having a first radius when said shape is in said first relaxed state, and said second curved leg having a second radius when said shape is in said second stressed state, said first radius is smaller than said second radius, and wherein said first and second legs extend along a longitudinal axis of said body.

8. A tension sleeve for an electrical stimulation device for treating tissue, said sleeve comprising:

a body having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of legs, said body having a shape that changes lengths between a first relaxed state and a second stressed state, wherein said shape of said body including said legs lies substantially in a common plane;

wherein said first relaxed state is defined when no external forces constrain the body and the second stressed state is defined when no external forces constrain the body except for a tension force applied to said body;

an internal passage disposed within said body, said internal passage extending between said first end and said second end of said body

said body further comprises a longitudinal axis extending along said body;

said plurality of legs being disposed between said first and second ends of said body; and

said plurality of legs comprising (a) a first straight leg offset from said axis by a first angle when said shape is in said first relaxed state, and said first straight leg is offset from said axis by a second angle when said shape is in said second stressed state, said first angle is smaller than said second angle and (b) a second straight leg connected to said first straight leg along said longitudinal axis, said second straight leg offset from said longitudinal axis by a first angle when said shape is in said first relaxed state, and said second straight leg is offset from said axis by a second different angle when said shape is in said second stressed state.

9. A device, as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said shape of said tension section is not a coil.

10. A device, as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

a conductive mesh is disposed about at least a portion of said sleeve, said mesh dissipates said electric current generated by subjection to said magnetic field.