Implantable medical leads
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing a medical lead, the method comprising:
- removing material from a conductive element to mechanically separate a plurality of circumferential portions of the conductive element from each other to form two or more electrode segments from the conductive element,wherein the conductive element is part of an assembly, the assembly comprising;
an elongated lead body,the conductive element, wherein the conductive element is located at a distal portion of the lead body, wherein the conductive element substantially encircles a longitudinal axis of the lead body, wherein the plurality of circumferential portions are configured to form the electrode segments of the medical lead, and wherein at least one portion of the conductive element is configured to be removed, the at least one portion being different from the circumferential portions and extending outward beyond an outer surface of the circumferential portions until removed, anda plurality of insulated conductors extending within the lead body, each of the insulated conductors being in electrical contact with the conductive element and extending to a proximal end of the lead body,wherein each of the insulated conductors is electrically coupled to a different one of the plurality of circumferential portions of the conductive element before removing material from the conductive element, andwherein each of the insulated conductors contacts a different one of the electrode segments after removing the material from the conductive element to form the electrode segments.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An assembly for a medical lead includes an elongated lead body, and a conductive element located at a distal portion of the lead body. The conductive element substantial!)′ encircles a longitudinal axis of the lead body. The assembly further includes a plurality of insulated conductors extending within the lead body, each of the insulated conductors being in electrical contact with the conductive element and extending to a proximal end of the lead body. Each of the insulated conductors contacts a different circumferential portion of the conductive element. The conductive element is configured to facilitate mechanical and electrical separation of different circumferential portions of the conductive element to form two or more electrode segments for the medical lead from the conductive element.
8 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing a medical lead, the method comprising:
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removing material from a conductive element to mechanically separate a plurality of circumferential portions of the conductive element from each other to form two or more electrode segments from the conductive element, wherein the conductive element is part of an assembly, the assembly comprising; an elongated lead body, the conductive element, wherein the conductive element is located at a distal portion of the lead body, wherein the conductive element substantially encircles a longitudinal axis of the lead body, wherein the plurality of circumferential portions are configured to form the electrode segments of the medical lead, and wherein at least one portion of the conductive element is configured to be removed, the at least one portion being different from the circumferential portions and extending outward beyond an outer surface of the circumferential portions until removed, and a plurality of insulated conductors extending within the lead body, each of the insulated conductors being in electrical contact with the conductive element and extending to a proximal end of the lead body, wherein each of the insulated conductors is electrically coupled to a different one of the plurality of circumferential portions of the conductive element before removing material from the conductive element, and wherein each of the insulated conductors contacts a different one of the electrode segments after removing the material from the conductive element to form the electrode segments. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An assembly for a medical lead comprising:
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an elongated lead body; a conductive element located at a distal portion of the lead body, wherein the conductive element substantially encircles a longitudinal axis of the lead body; and a plurality of insulated conductors extending within the lead body, each of the insulated conductors being in electrical contact with the conductive element and extending to a proximal end of the lead body, wherein each of the insulated conductors contacts a different one of a plurality of circumferential portions of the conductive element, and wherein the conductive element is configured to facilitate mechanical and electrical separation of different circumferential portions of the conductive element to form two or more electrode segments for the medical lead from the conductive element, wherein the plurality of circumferential portions are configured to form the electrode segments of the medical lead, and wherein at least one portion of the conductive element is configured to be removed, the at least one portion being different from the circumferential portions and extending outward beyond an outer surface of the circumferential portions until removed. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A medical lead comprising:
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an elongated lead body; and an assembly including a set of two or more electrode segments coupled to at least one insulative element in a circular arrangement within the elongated lead body, wherein each of the electrode segments includes a protrusion and an exposed outer surface, wherein the at least one insulative element includes an electrode segment holder forming receptacles configured to receive protrusions of respective electrode segments of the electrode segments, and wherein protrusions of the electrode segments are positioned within the respective receptacles of the electrode segment holder. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method of manufacturing a medical lead, the method comprising:
- coupling each of a set of two or more electrode segments to at least one insulative element in a circular arrangement;
securing the electrode segments and the at least one insulative element within an elongated mold, wherein the at least one insulative element combines with the mold to constrain the electrode segments in the circular arrangement at a common longitudinal position within the mold; and injecting a polymeric material into the mold to form an elongated lead body, wherein, following the formation of the lead body, each of the electrode segments includes an exposed outer surface. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
- coupling each of a set of two or more electrode segments to at least one insulative element in a circular arrangement;
Specification