LEAD ASSEMBLY FOR IMPLANTABLE MICROSTIMULATOR
First Claim
1. An implantable medical device, comprising:
- an implantable leadless microstimulator comprising a microstimulator body and a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on opposing ends of the microstimulator body; and
a first lead assembly comprisingat least one remote electrode disposed at a distal end of the first lead assembly,an insulated conductor electrically connected to the at least one remote electrode, anda connector disposed at a proximal end of the insulated conductor, wherein the connector is configured and arranged to receive, and substantially entirely cover, the first electrode of the microstimulator, the connector comprising a contact to electrically connect the first electrode to the insulated conductor, wherein the connector is configured and arranged to inhibit fluid ingress into the connector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lead assembly for a small implantable medical device (a.k.a, microdevice 10) provides means to attach a remote electrode to microdevice, which means inhibit fluid ingress when microdevice is not attached to lead assembly. Microdevices may provide either or both tissue stimulation and sensing. Known microdevices include spaced apart electrodes on the outer surface of the microdevice. Lead assembly includes an insulated lead including a proximal end and a distal end, with at least one conductor therebetween; at least one electrode at the distal end of the lead and electrically connected to the at least one conductor, and a connector attached to the proximal end of the lead and adapted to be removably connectable to microdevice. Connector includes at least one contact to electrically connect at least one device electrode on microdevice to at least one conductor, thereby electrically connecting at least electrode and the at least one electrode at the distal end of lead. Lead assembly is configured to inhibit fluid ingress into the connector. A number of embodiments of the invention, capable of inhibiting fluid ingress into connector, are taught.
18 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An implantable medical device, comprising:
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an implantable leadless microstimulator comprising a microstimulator body and a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on opposing ends of the microstimulator body; and a first lead assembly comprising at least one remote electrode disposed at a distal end of the first lead assembly, an insulated conductor electrically connected to the at least one remote electrode, and a connector disposed at a proximal end of the insulated conductor, wherein the connector is configured and arranged to receive, and substantially entirely cover, the first electrode of the microstimulator, the connector comprising a contact to electrically connect the first electrode to the insulated conductor, wherein the connector is configured and arranged to inhibit fluid ingress into the connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An implantable medical device, comprising:
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an implantable leadless microstimulator comprising a microstimulator body and a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on opposing ends of the microstimulator body; and a lead assembly comprising at least one remote electrode disposed at a distal end of the lead assembly, an insulated conductor electrically coupled to the at least one remote electrode, a connector attached to the proximal end of the insulated conductor, the connector adapted to be removably connectable to, and substantially entirely cover, the first electrode of the microstimulator, wherein the connector comprises at least one contact to electrically couple the first electrode to the insulated conductor, and a closure defined in the connector, the closure configured and arranged to inhibit fluid ingress into a portion of the connector that receives the first electrode, wherein the closure collapses and seals when the first electrode of the microstimulator is not present in the connector.
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20. A method for using an implantable medical device, the method comprising:
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electrically coupling a connector of a lead assembly to a first electrode of a microstimulator, the lead assembly comprising an insulated conductor having a remote electrode at a distal end that electrically couples to the connector at a proximal end, the microstimulator comprising a second electrode electrically coupled to the first electrode; and stimulating tissue adjacent the remote electrode of the lead assembly by generating electrical pulses in the microstimulator.
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Specification