# US 2014/0058489 A1 · Electrically conductive and mechanically supportive polymer materials for biomedical leads > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0058489 A1 - Document ID: US20140058489A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/071,065 - Filed: 2013-11-04 - Published: 2014-02-27 - Earliest claimed: 2010-03-09 - Assignees: Biotectix, LLC - Applicants: Biotectix, LLC - Inventors: Jeffrey Hendricks; Sarah Richardson-Burns; Amir Tehrani - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140058489A1 ## CPC - A61N 1/05: for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode (A61N1/06 takes precedence) - A61N 1/056: {Transvascular endocardial electrode systems} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract An implantable medical lead connecting to a device header of a medical apparatus and having an electrode, a conductor, and a conductive polymer layer formed on at least a portion of the medical lead. An insulative sheath surrounds the conductive polymer layer for electrical insulation. The conductive polymer layer and insulative sheath maintain mechanical and electrical continuity of the lead in the event of fracture. The conductive polymer layer is composed of conductive polymers and may contain one or more dopants for improving electrical characteristics, mechanical characteristics, and processability. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An implantable medical lead comprising: a conducting electrode comprising: a proximal end for receiving or delivering electrical signals; and a distal end; a conductive polymer comprising: a body; a proximal end connected to the distal end of the conducting electrode to form a first electrical connection; and a distal end for connection to a device header to form a second electrical connection; and an insulating sheath surrounding the conductive polymer to electrically insulate a surface of the conductive polymer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The implantable medical lead of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of the conducting electrodes; a plurality of the conductive polymers, each conductive polymer corresponding to one electrode of the plurality of conducting electrodes, and a plurality of the insulating sheaths for electrically insulating at least one of the plurality of conductive polymers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The implantable medical lead of claim 2, wherein the plurality of conductive polymers are arranged coaxially, in parallel or a combination thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The implantable medical lead of claim 1, wherein the conductive polymer comprises one or more of the following conducting materials: polypyrrole, polythiophene, polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT), polyaniline, polyacetylene, natural or synthetic melanins, or a derivative, copolymer or homopolymer thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The implantable medical lead of claim 1, wherein the conductive polymer further comprises a dopant. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The implantable medical lead of claim 5, wherein the conductive polymer is a reaction product of a polymerization mixture comprising about 30-100% (w/w) of conducting monomer, and 0-70% (w/w) of the dopant based on the total weight of the conducting monomer and the dopant in the polymerization mixture. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The implantable medical lead of claim 5, wherein the conductive polymer is a reaction product of a polymerization mixture comprising about 60-80% (w/w) of conducting monomer, and 20-40% (w/w) of the dopant based on the total weight of the conducting monomer and the dopant in the polymerization mixture. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The implantable medical lead of claim 5, wherein the conductive polymer is a reaction product of a polymerization mixture comprising about 90-100% (w/w) of conducting monomer, and 0-10% (w/w) of the dopant based on the total weight of the conducting monomer and the dopant in the polymerization mixture. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The implantable medical lead of claim 5, wherein the dopant comprises one or more of the following electrical dopants to impart conductivity: metal particles, metal nanoparticles, electroplated metals, carbon nanotubes, carbon fibers, graphite, an anionic molecule, a salt, a non-polymeric conductive macromolecule, or a polymeric anion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The implantable medical lead of claim 5, wherein the dopant comprises one or more of the following mechanical dopants to improve mechanical strength of the conductive polymer: polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), polyacrylamide, polyacrylate, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, a copolymer with anionic segments, or a crosslinking agent. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The implantable medical lead of claim 5, wherein the dopant comprises one or more of the following deposition facilitator dopants to improve processability of the conductive polymer: a counterion, a surfactant, a photo-initiator, an oxidizing agent, a polymeric anion, or a copolymer with anionic segments. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The implantable medical lead of claim 1, wherein the insulating sheath is a film, foam, sheet, mesh, or fabric made of one or more of the following insulating materials: silicone, polyurethane, polyimide, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, poly ether ether ketone, or polyolefin. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The implantable medical lead of claim 1, wherein the electrical connections are soldered, welded, pressure fitted, or crimped connections. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The implantable medical lead of claim 1, wherein the conductive polymer comprises one or more electrical dopants, mechanical dopants, or processability dopants. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The implantable medical lead of claim 1, wherein one or more of the conductive polymer and the insulating sheath is modified by exposure to oxidizing chemicals, acids, or a combination thereof to impart one or more of the following properties: wettability, permeability, porosity, adhesion, or texture. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The implantable medical lead of claim 1, wherein one or more of the conductive polymer and the insulating sheath is modified by exposure to a silane, a self-assembled monolayer, or a combination thereof to impart one or more of the following surface properties: wettability, permeability, porosity, adhesion, or texture. ### Claim 17 (depends on 2) The implantable medical lead of claim 2, wherein the conductive polymer penetrates the insulating sheath to a depth that is equal to or less than the wall thickness of the insulating sheath. ### Claim 18 (depends on 2) The implantable medical lead of claim 2, wherein the conductive polymer penetrates a length equal to or less than a total length of the insulating sheath. ### Claim 19 (depends on 2) The implantable medical lead of claim 2, wherein the conductive polymer penetrates a surface area equal to or less than a total surface area of the insulating sheath.