Systems and methods for making and using electrode or terminal extensions for coupling to leads of implantable electrical systems
First Claim
1. A lead assembly for an implantable electrical stimulation system comprising:
- a lead configured and arranged for insertion into a patient, the lead comprisinga lead body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length,a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end of the lead body, the plurality of electrodes arranged into a plurality of electrode arrays, each electrode array comprising a plurality of the electrodes, wherein the plurality of electrode arrays comprises a distal-most electrode array and a medial electrode array axially-spaced-apart from one another along the longitudinal length of the lead body with the medial electrode array being disposed proximal to the distal-most electrode array along the longitudinal length of the lead body, anda plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead body, the plurality of terminals arranged into at least one terminal array,a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals; and
an electrode extension configured and arranged to electrically couple to the medial electrode array, the electrode extension comprisingan electrode extension body having a first end and an opposing second end,an electrode extension connector disposed at the first end of the electrode extension body,a port defined in the electrode extension connector, the port having a first open end and an opposing second open end and forming a continuous passageway therebetween, the port configured and arranged to receive the medial electrode array and to permit the lead body to extend through both of the first open end and the opposing second open end when the medial electrode array is received by the port,a connector contact array comprising a plurality of connector contacts disposed within the port, the connector contact array configured and arranged to couple electrically with electrodes of the medial electrode array when the medial electrode array is received by the port,an electrode extension electrode array comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed along the second end of the electrode extension body, anda plurality of electrode extension conductors electrically coupling the connector contact array to the electrode extension electrode array.
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Abstract
A lead assembly includes an implantable lead. Electrodes are disposed along a distal end of the lead in an electrode array. Terminals are disposed along a proximal end of the lead in a proximal-most terminal array and a medial terminal array. A terminal extension electrically couples to the medial terminal array. A port is defined in a connector at a first end of the terminal extension. The port has a first end and an opposing second end and forms a continuous passageway therebetween. The port receives the medial terminal array. A contact array includes connector contacts that are disposed within the port and that couple electrically with a terminal array disposed along a second end of the terminal extension. The contact array couples electrically with terminals of the medial terminal array of the lead when the medial terminal array is received by the port.
15 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A lead assembly for an implantable electrical stimulation system comprising:
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a lead configured and arranged for insertion into a patient, the lead comprising a lead body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length, a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end of the lead body, the plurality of electrodes arranged into a plurality of electrode arrays, each electrode array comprising a plurality of the electrodes, wherein the plurality of electrode arrays comprises a distal-most electrode array and a medial electrode array axially-spaced-apart from one another along the longitudinal length of the lead body with the medial electrode array being disposed proximal to the distal-most electrode array along the longitudinal length of the lead body, and a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead body, the plurality of terminals arranged into at least one terminal array, a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals; and an electrode extension configured and arranged to electrically couple to the medial electrode array, the electrode extension comprising an electrode extension body having a first end and an opposing second end, an electrode extension connector disposed at the first end of the electrode extension body, a port defined in the electrode extension connector, the port having a first open end and an opposing second open end and forming a continuous passageway therebetween, the port configured and arranged to receive the medial electrode array and to permit the lead body to extend through both of the first open end and the opposing second open end when the medial electrode array is received by the port, a connector contact array comprising a plurality of connector contacts disposed within the port, the connector contact array configured and arranged to couple electrically with electrodes of the medial electrode array when the medial electrode array is received by the port, an electrode extension electrode array comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed along the second end of the electrode extension body, and a plurality of electrode extension conductors electrically coupling the connector contact array to the electrode extension electrode array. - 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