DIRECTIONAL LEAD ASSEMBLY

• US 20110245903A1
• Filed: 03/31/2011
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: KOKONES, Scott, SCHULTE, Gregory T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,162,053 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/115
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49172 by molding of insulating material

Abstract

Leads having directional electrodes thereon. Also provided are leads having directional electrodes as well as retention ledges to secure the electrodes to the leads. Also provided are leads with directional electrodes where all the electrodes have the same surface area. Methods of manufacturing leads and methods of treating conditions and selectively stimulating regions of the nervous system are also provided.

Claims

1. An electrical lead comprising:

a cylindrical lead body having an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough;

at least one row of directional electrodes disposed along the longitudinal axis of the lead body including at least one directional electrode disposed on the distal end of the outer surface of the cylindrical lead body; and

at least one unitary electrode disposed along the longitudinal axis of the body, with at least one unitary electrode having at least one exposed portion on the distal end of the outer surface of the cylindrical lead body and at least one recessed portion.

2. The electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the at least one exposed portion comprises three exposed portions.

3. The electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the three exposed portions have a cumulative radial span of about 270 degrees.

4. The electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the unitary electrode has a radial span of 360 degrees beneath the outer surface of the lead.

5. The electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the unitary electrode has a radial span of 330 degrees beneath the outer surface of the lead.

6. The electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the unitary electrode has a plurality of exposed portions and a plurality of recessed portions located between the exposed portions.

7. The electrical lead of claim 6, wherein said plurality of recessed portions are completely covered by an insulating material.

8. The electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the unitary electrode has a plurality of exposed portions and a plurality of connectors electrically connecting all the exposed portions.

9. The electrical lead of claim 8, wherein said connectors are completely covered by an insulating material.

10. The electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the at least one row of directional electrodes comprises two rows of directional electrodes.

11. The electrical lead of claim 10, wherein each row of directional electrodes comprises three directional electrodes.

12. The electrical lead of claim 10, wherein the at least one unitary electrode comprises two unitary electrodes.

13. The electrical lead of claim 12, wherein the two rows of directional electrodes are located between the two unitary electrodes.

14. The electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the at least one exposed portion has a radial span of 30-90 degrees.

15. The electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the at least one exposed portion is a raised circular portion.

16. The electrical lead of claim 13, wherein the exposed portions of the unitary electrodes are aligned with the directional electrodes.

17. The electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the at least one directional electrode includes at least one retention ledge and/or anchoring holes.

18. An electrical lead comprising:

a cylindrical lead body having an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough;

a first one row of directional electrodes disposed along the longitudinal axis of the lead body including two directional electrodes disposed on the distal end of the outer surface of the cylindrical lead body; and

a second row of directional electrodes disposed along the longitudinal axis of the lead body including three directional electrodes disposed on the distal end of the outer surface of the cylindrical lead body

a third row of directional electrodes disposed along the longitudinal axis of the lead body including three directional electrodes disposed on the distal end of the outer surface of the cylindrical lead body.

19. The electrical lead of claim 18, each of the two directional electrodes have a radial span of 120 degrees.

20. The electrical lead of claim 18, each of the three directional electrodes have a radial span of 90 degrees.

21. A method of manufacturing an electrical lead comprising:

anchoring a temporary support structure to a plurality of electrodes, each electrode having at least one recessed retention ledge;

placing the electrodes and the temporary support structure on a lead body;

flowing insulating material over the at least one retention ledge of the electrodes to anchor the electrodes to the lead body; and

removing the temporary support structure.