US 5,347,708 A · Method for fabrication of implantable electrode

Abstract

An implantable electrode of the type in which an elongated wire coil forms the electrode surface. The electrode coil is mounted around an insulative lead body and is stabilized on the lead body by means of a plastic filler between the individual turns of the electrode coil, extending radially outwardly to approximately one-third of the diameter of the electrode coil wire. The filler is produced by stretching a portion of the lead body which normally displays an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the electrode coil sliding the electrode coil over the lead body, inserting an expandable mandrel into the lead body and expanding the mandrel to urge the lead body into contact with the electrode coil. This assembly is then heated to encourage flow of the lead body into the spaces between the electrode coil to stabilize the coil on electrode body and to present fibrotic ingrowth around the electrode coil wire.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A method of fabricating a medical electrical electrode comprising the steps of:

sliding an elongated conductive coil over a length of plastic tubing;
inserting an expandable mandrel within said plastic tubing and expanding said mandrel to expand said tubing against said coil and to compress said tubing between said mandrel and said coil;
and
heating the assembly of said mandrel, said tubing and said coil to cause flow of said plastic tubing between individual turns of said coil.

1 more element

A method of fabrication of a medical electrode comprising the steps of:

sliding a first plastic tube over a second, substantially longer plastic tube;
sliding a conductive coil over said first plastic tube;
inserting an expandable mandrel within said second plastic tube and expanding said mandrel to expand said first and second plastic tubes and to compress said first and second plastic tubes between said mandrel and said coil;
and
heating the assembly of said mandrel, said first and second tubes and said coil to allow the material of said first tube to flow between individual turns of said coil.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for fabrication of implantable electrode

Life of this patent

Method for fabrication of implantable electrode

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8