Neural stimulator electrode element and lead
AssigneeCordis Corporation
InventorsStanley R. Hess, Sandra L. Miller, Peter J. Pohndorf, Peter P. Tarjan
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Abstract
A neural stimulator electrode element and lead includes an elongate sheath having a passage therein and which contains an electrical conductor and electrode, the latter of which communicates through the exterior wall of the sheath. Two pairs of flexible elongate wing members are positioned on the exterior wall of the sheath to stabilize the tip when it is installed in the patient's epidural space. The flexible wing members flex during installation, but extend laterally from the sheath following installation of the element to prevent the element and lead from rotating and maintain the element in position.
Claims20
An electrode carrying tip assembly for a neural stimulator lead of the type having an interior conductor and an exterior insulating covering, comprising:
- a tubular insulating sheath having an interior passageway for receiving one end of ht neural stimulator lead;
- a generally tubular electrode element received in said passageway having an exterior surface and including an interior bore for receiving and electrically engaging the interior conductor of the neural stimulator lead when the end of the lead is received in said passageway;
- said insulating sheath having an opening through the side wall thereof adjacent said electrode element exposing a portion of said exterior surface of said electrode element to the exterior of said sheath;
- and
- stabilizing means for stabilizing said tip assembly within the spinal column of a patient including a pair of flexible elongate stabilization members extending outwardly from said sheath adjacent said opening, each of said members being attached to said sheath at one end and free at the other to allow flexure of said members from an extended position to a folded position adjacent and substantially parallel to the exterior of said sheath, hereby said tip assembly can be slidably mounted over the end of the neural stimulator lead and said stabilization members can be folded to said folded position to facilitate insertion of said tip assembly into the spinal column of a patient.
A neural stimulator lead comprising:
- an elongate electrical conductor having leading and trailing ends;
- an insulating covering over said conductor having one end spaced from the tip of said leading end in a direction toward said trailing end so as to leave an uninsulated portion of said leading end of said conductor projecting beyond said one end of said covering;
- a generally tubular electrode element electrically engaging a portion of said uninsulated portion of said conductor adjacent said one end of said insulating covering, said electrode element having a bore receiving said uninsulated portion of said conductor therethrough;
- a generally tubular insulating sheath over said leading end of said conductor enclosing said electrode element and said one end of said covering therein, said tubular insulating sheath having a passageway therein receiving said leading end and having an aperture opening into said passageway exposing a portion of said electrode element to the exterior of said sheath;
- and
- stabilizing means for stabilizing said lead within the spiral column of a patient including a pair of elongate flexible stabilization members extending outwardly from said sheath adjacent said aperture, each of said members being attached to said sheath at one end and free at the other end to allow flexure of said members from an outwardly extending position to a folded position adjacent and substantially parallel to said exterior of said sheath.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.