Adjustable length tension sleeve for electrical or thermal stimulation device

An electrical or thermal stimulation device for treating tissue, said device comprising:

• a stimulation lead having a first end, a second end, and at least one conducting wire disposed between the first end and the second end;
• a plurality of electrodes positioned on the first end of the stimulation lead;
• a lead extension positioned on the second end of the stimulation lead, the lead extension interconnected with a source of electrical energy, the electrodes communicating with the source of electrical energy for providing electrical or thermal stimulation of tissue proximate to the electrodes;
• an adjustable length tension sleeve having a shape that changes lengths between a first relaxed state and a second stressed state, wherein the shape of the adjustable tension sleeve lies substantially in a common plane to prevent induction of an electric current when the stimulation device is subjected to a magnetic field, the adjustable length tension sleeve including (a) a plurality of legs (b) an internal passage for receiving the stimulation lead and lead extension, (c) at least one tab located at a selected end of the sleeve, and (d) a line of weakness extending longitudinally along said sleeve and communicating with said at least one tab.

A method of selectively changing a length of a tension sleeve used with an electrical or thermal stimulation device, the method comprising:

• providing a stimulation lead having a first end, a second end, and at least one conducting wire disposed between the first end and the second end;
• providing a plurality of electrodes positioned on the first end of the stimulation lead;
• providing a lead extension positioned on the second end of the stimulation lead, the electrodes extending through the lead extension and communicating with a source of electrical energy to provide stimulation of tissue proximate to the electrodes;
• providing an adjustable length tension sleeve mounted over said stimulation lead and lead extension, the adjustable length tension sleeve having a shape that changes between a first relaxed state and a second stressed state, wherein the adjustable length tension sleeve lies substantially in a common plane to prevent induction of an electric current when the stimulation device is subjected to a magnetic field, the adjustable length tension sleeve further having (a) a plurality of legs (b) at least one tab located at a selected end of the sleeve, and (c) a line of weakness extending longitudinally along said adjustable length sleeve and communicating with said at least one tab;
• and
• activating the at least one tab to strip away a selected length of the adjustable length sleeve to thereby expose a corresponding length of the stimulation lead or lead extension.