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US 8,509,876 B2Granted
Implantable MRI compatible stimulation leads and antennas and related systems and methods
AssigneeThe Johns Hopkins University
InventorParag V. Karmarkar
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Abstract
In vivo medical stimulation probes include an elongate lead having at least one stimulation electrode disposed on a distal portion thereof. The probes may include a plurality of axially spaced apart RF chokes disposed on and/or in an axially extending shielding layer of the lead in advance of the at least one electrode to inhibit induced RF current from forming and/or traveling along the shielding layer.
Claims65
An in vivo medical stimulation probe, comprising:
- an elongate lead having a length and at least one stimulation electrode disposed on a distal portion thereof, at least one axially exending conductor coupled to the at least one stimulation electrode, and an axially extending shielding layer surrounding the at least one conductor over at least a major length of the lead and terminating at a lead location that is in advance of the at least one stimulation electrode;
- a plurality of RF chokes axially spaced apart along the length of the lead and disposed on and/or in the shielding layer in advance of the at least one electrode to inhibit induced RF current from forming and/or traveling along the shielding layer;
- and
- an MRI antenna that is configured to collect and transmit signal data in response to an applied RF excitation pulse in an MRI scanner system, wherein the lead is MRI-compatible.
1 more element
An MRI compatible therapeutic stimulation probe comprising:
- an elongate flexible probe body having an axially extending internal cavity disposed therein;
- at least one electrode held by a distal portion of the probe body;
- at least one conductive trace or wire disposed within the probe body and coupled to the at least one electrode and configured and arranged to conductively connect the at least one electrode to a source;
- and
- at least one axially extending conductor, separate from the at least one conductive trace or wire, configured to slidably extend into the cavity of the probe body, the at least one conductor having increased rigidity relative to the probe body,
- wherein, during positioning in a body, the at least one conductor cooperates with the probe body and defines an in vivo MRI antenna used to obtain MRI signals for MRI positional guidance, and wherein, after placement, the at least one conductor can be removed from the probe body, leaving the probe body and electrode in position in the body.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.