Implantable medical electrode assemblies and associated devices and methods

An implantable medical electrical device comprising a connector, an elongate insulated conductor, and an electrode assembly, the connector including an electrical contact configured for connection to a pulse generator, the electrode assembly comprising a distal electrode coupled to the connector contact by the elongate insulated conductor, and the electrode assembly further comprising:

• a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis of the assembly, the sleeve comprising a distal terminal end, an elongate bore extending along the axis proximally from a distal opening thereof at the distal terminal end, an external groove extending around the bore, and a plurality of channels, each channel of the plurality extending from the groove to the distal terminal end, and the distal electrode extending distally from the distal terminal end of the sleeve;
• and
• a steroid eluting component seated within the external groove of the sleeve and being secured thereto;
• and
• wherein the plurality of channels provide fluid communication between the steroid eluting component and an area distal to the distal terminal end of the sleeve.

A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly for an implantable medical device, the method comprising:

• forming a sleeve with an external groove extending around a bore of the sleeve and with a plurality of channels extending from the groove to a distal terminal end of the sleeve;
• mounting a proximal portion of a distal electrode within the bore of the sleeve so that a distal portion of the distal electrode extends distally from the distal terminal end of the sleeve;
• and
• seating a steroid eluting component within the groove of the sleeve so that the component is in fluid communication with an area distal to the distal terminal end of the sleeve via the channels of the sleeve.