Surgical lead paddle

#The present invention generally relates to the field of implantable medical devices, and more particularly to a medical electrical lead providing improved implantation capabilities.

#Electrical stimulation of electrically excitable tissue such as the brain and/or nerve tissue of the spinal cord or peripheral nerve can result in pain reduction and/or elimination for a living organism having the electrical stimulation performed. Thus, for example, medical leads having electrode contacts have been implanted near the spinal column of the human body to provide pain relief for chronic intractable pain. The nerve tissue within the spinal column is stimulated electrically to reduce pain sensations at other parts of the body.

#Depending on the location of the pain sensation, and the particularities of each different human body, the parameters of the stimulation signals applied near the electrically excitable tissue are adjusted to optimize pain reduction or elimination. For example, the area of excitation within the spinal column and the intensity of excitation can be varied by corresponding adjustment of the parameters of the stimulation signals.

#FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the surgical lead of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is an exploded top side view illustrating an improved surgical lead of the present invention;

#FIG. 2a is a top side view illustrating an improved surgical lead of the present invention;

#To assist in an understanding of the invention, a preferred embodiment or embodiments will now be described in detail. Reference will be frequently taken to the figures, which are summarized above. Reference numerals will be used to indicate certain parts and locations in the figures. The same reference numerals will be used to indicate the same parts or locations throughout the figures unless otherwise indicated.

#The present invention is not limited to only high cervical implantation or spinal stimulation leads, and may be employed in many of various types of therapeutic or diagnostic devices including spinal cord, peripheral nerve, deep brain, and deep brain stem stimulation leads. It is to be further understood, moreover, the present invention may be employed in many of various types of therapeutic or diagnostic leads and is not limited only to the high cervical leads. For purposes of illustration only, however, the present invention is below described in the context of high cervical implantation leads.

#FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a surgical lead of the present invention. Surgical lead 10 includes a pair of lead bodies 12 connected at their proximal end to a connector (not shown) of a type known in the art and at its distal end to a paddle 16. Lead bodies 12 can be made of any physiologically inert material such as silicone rubber or polyethylene; however, lead bodies 12 are preferable made of polyurethane so as to be compatible with paddle 16. Lead bodies 12 have lumens, which enclose at least one conductor 18 (FIG. 3) and most preferably have a diameter of 0.050 inches. Conductor 18 interconnects at least one electrode 20 located within paddle 16.