Termination of a shield within an implantable medical lead

An implantable medical lead, comprising:

• an inner insulation layer;
• an outer insulation layer surrounding the inner insulation layer;
• a shield between the inner insulation layer and the outer insulation layer, the shield terminating by the end of the inner insulation layer, the outer insulation layer terminating prior to an end of the shield and the inner insulation layer;
• an insulation extension layer bonded onto the end of the inner insulation layer with the insulation extension layer being in direct contact with the end of the inner insulation layer at a point where the inner insulation layer terminates;
• and
• a replacement outer insulation layer positioned to be radially spaced over the shield and inner insulation layer where the outer insulation layer is not present, the replacement outer insulation layer extending beyond the end of the inner insulation layer to also extend over and directly contact the insulation extension layer, the replacement outer insulation layer being bonded to an end of the outer insulation layer, and the replacement outer insulation layer comprising a material having a stiffer durometer rating than a material forming the outer insulation layer, wherein the shield is sunken into the inner insulation layer at a span along the inner insulation layer that is beyond the end of the outer insulation layer.

An implantable medical lead, comprising:

• an inner insulation layer;
• an outer insulation layer surrounding the inner insulation layer;
• a shield between the inner insulation layer and the outer insulation layer, the shield terminating by the end of the inner insulation layer, the outer insulation layer terminating prior to an end of the shield and the inner insulation layer;
• an insulation extension layer bonded onto the end of the inner insulation layer with the insulation extension layer being in direct contact with the end of the inner insulation layer at a point where the inner insulation layer terminates;
• and
• a replacement outer insulation layer positioned to be radially spaced over the shield and inner insulation layer where the outer insulation layer is not present, the replacement outer insulation layer extending beyond the end of the inner insulation layer to also extend over and directly contact the insulation extension layer, the replacement outer insulation layer being bonded to an end of the outer insulation layer, and the replacement outer insulation layer comprising a material having a stiffer durometer rating than a material forming the outer insulation layer, wherein the shield comprises a plurality of wires, each wire of the plurality having an end at the shield termination, the implantable medical lead further comprising a ring that covers the ends of the plurality of wires, the ring being covered by the outer insulation layer.

A method of terminating a shield within a jacket of an implantable medical lead, comprising:

• providing the shield between an inner insulation layer of the jacket and an outer insulation layer of the jacket, the shield terminating by the end of the inner insulation layer, the outer insulation layer terminating prior to an end of the shield and the inner insulation layer;
• bonding an insulation extension layer onto the end of the inner insulation layer;
• positioning a replacement outer insulation layer over the shield and inner insulation layer where the outer insulation layer is not present, the replacement outer insulation layer extending beyond the end of the inner insulation layer to also extend over the insulation extension layer, the replacement outer insulation layer being bonded to an end of the outer insulation layer;
• and
• forcing the shield to sink into the inner insulation layer at a span along the inner insulation layer that is beyond the end of the outer insulation layer prior to positioning the replacement outer insulation layer.

An implantable medical lead, comprising:

• an inner insulation layer;
• an outer insulation layer surrounding the inner insulation layer;
• a shield between the inner insulation layer and the outer insulation layer, the shield terminating by the end of the inner insulation layer, the outer insulation layer terminating prior to an end of the shield and the inner insulation layer;
• an insulation extension layer bonded onto the end of the inner insulation layer;
• and
• a replacement outer insulation layer positioned over the shield and inner insulation layer where the outer insulation layer is not present, the replacement outer insulation layer extending beyond the end of the inner insulation layer to also extend over the insulation extension layer, the replacement outer insulation layer being bonded to an end of the outer insulation layer, wherein the shield comprises a plurality of wires, each wire of the plurality having an end at the shield termination, the implantable medical lead further comprising a ring that covers the ends of the plurality of wires, the ring being covered by the outer insulation layer.

An implantable medical lead, comprising:

• an inner insulation layer;
• an outer insulation layer surrounding the inner insulation layer;
• a shield between the inner insulation layer and the outer insulation layer, the shield terminating by the end of the inner insulation layer, the outer insulation layer terminating prior to an end of the shield and the inner insulation layer;
• an insulation extension layer bonded onto the end of the inner insulation layer;
• and
• a replacement outer insulation layer positioned over the shield and inner insulation layer where the outer insulation layer is not present, the replacement outer insulation layer extending beyond the end of the inner insulation layer to also extend over the insulation extension layer, the replacement outer insulation layer being bonded to an end of the outer insulation layer, wherein the shield is sunken into the inner insulation layer at a span along the inner insulation layer that is beyond the end of the outer insulation layer.