Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080221568 | MEDICAL DEVICE ELECTRICAL LEAD DESIGN FOR PREVENTING TRANSMITTANCE OF UNSAFE CURRENTS TO A PATIENT - An electrical lead including a conductor assembly, an electrode, and a thermally sensitive material. The conductor assembly has one or more conductors. The electrode is in electrical communication with one of the conductors and has an outer contact adapted for contacting adjacent body tissue of a patient. The thermally sensitive material is electrically connected between the one conductor and the electrode outer contact, and is configured to exhibit high impedance in the presence of currents considered unsafe to the patient, thereby preventing the unsafe currents from flowing through the thermally sensitive material and through the electrode outer contact potentially causing the adjacent body tissue to increase in temperature to an unsafe level. The unsafe currents cause the thermally sensitive material to increase in temperature, thereby causing the material to transition to a high impedance state. | 09-11-2008 |
20080262582 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL ELECTRICAL LEAD AND CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - An implantable system that includes a lead and an implantable signal generator wherein the plurality of electrical contacts and the plurality of insulating regions on the lead, and the plurality of electrical connectors and the plurality of electrical insulators in the connector block are configured so that each of the plurality of electrical contacts form operable connections to the electronic circuitry through each of the plurality of electrical connector, and the insulating regions and the electrical insulators electrically isolate adjacent operable connections. Leads, and methods are also disclosed. | 10-23-2008 |
20080262585 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL ELECTRICAL LEAD AND CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - An implantable medical system that includes an implantable electrical lead having a lead body having a connector portion wherein at least the connector portion of the lead body has an axial cross section that is substantially non-circular; and a connector block that is configured to be operably coupled to the implantable electrical lead, wherein the connector block includes a lumen having an inner surface that is configured to be complementary to the outer surface of at least the connector portion of the lead body. Leads and connector blocks are also discussed. | 10-23-2008 |
20080269854 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD WITH MULTIPLE ELECTRODE CONFIGURATIONS - Medical leads having at least one segmented row of electrodes, as well as at least one ring electrode that extends substantially completely around the periphery of the lead, are described. The electrodes in a segmented row extend around only a portion of the periphery of the lead, rather than substantially around the entire periphery. The electrodes in a segmented row may be distributed at respective locations around the periphery of the lead and separated by insulating material. The ring electrodes and segmented rows are located at respective axial positions. For example, in some embodiments, a plurality of segmented rows, such as two rows having three electrodes each, are located between two ring electrodes. Such a lead may, for example, provide a variety of stimulation modalities because of localized stimulation capabilities. | 10-30-2008 |
20090105785 | THERAPY PROGRAM SELECTION - A therapy program is selected based on a patient state, where the patient state comprises at least one of a movement state, sleep state or speech state. In this way, therapy delivery is tailored to the patient state, which may include specific patient symptoms. The therapy program is selected from a plurality of stored therapy programs that comprise therapy programs associated with a respective one at least two of the movement, sleep, and speech states. Techniques for determining a patient state include receiving volitional patient input or detecting biosignals generated within the patient's brain. The biosignals are nonsymptomatic and may be incidental to the movement, sleep, and speech states or generated in response to volitional patient input. | 04-23-2009 |
20090264789 | THERAPY PROGRAM SELECTION - A set of therapy parameter values is selected based on a patient state, where the patient state comprises a speech state or a mixed patient state including the speech state and at least one of a movement state or a sleep state. In this way, therapy delivery is tailored to the patient state, which may include one or more patient symptoms specific to the patient state. In some examples, a medical device determines whether the patient is in the speech state or a mixed patient state including the speech state based on a signal generated by a voice activity sensor. The voice activity sensor detects the use of the patient's voice, and may include a microphone, a vibration detector or an accelerometer. | 10-22-2009 |
20090270947 | CONFIGURING STIMULATION THERAPY USING STIMULATION INTENSITY - Techniques for configuring electrical stimulation therapy utilizing one or more stimulation intensity values are described. In one example, a method includes receiving a stimulation intensity value that corresponds to an equal intensity function; determining a pulse width value and a pulse amplitude value based on the equal intensity function; and controlling delivery of electrical stimulation pulses with the determined pulse width value and amplitude value to a patient. A stimulation intensity value may correspond to a plurality of paired pulse width and amplitude values having substantially the same intensity. For example, the plurality of paired pulse width and amplitude values may activate a substantially equal volume of tissue when a stimulation pulse with the paired values is delivered. | 10-29-2009 |
20100145426 | MEDICAL DEVICE ELECTRICAL LEAD DESIGN FOR PREVENTING TRANSMITTANCE OF UNSAFE CURRENTS TO A PATIENT - An electrical lead including a conductor assembly, an electrode, and a thermally sensitive material. The conductor assembly has one or more conductors. The electrode is in electrical communication with one of the conductors and has an outer contact adapted for contacting adjacent body tissue of a patient. The thermally sensitive material is electrically connected between the one conductor and the electrode outer contact, and is configured to exhibit high impedance in the presence of currents considered unsafe to the patient, thereby preventing the unsafe currents from flowing through the thermally sensitive material and through the electrode outer contact potentially causing the adjacent body tissue to increase in temperature to an unsafe level. The unsafe currents cause the thermally sensitive material to increase in temperature, thereby causing the material to transition to a high impedance state. | 06-10-2010 |
20100324570 | INTRODUCER FOR THERAPY DELIVERY ELEMENTS - The disclosure describes an introducer for facilitating implantation of therapy elements into a patient. The introducer has an elongated body that defines a lumen for advancement of a therapy element to an implant site, and includes a curved portion medially located between substantially straight proximal and distal portions. As an example, the shape of the introducer may allow a clinician to more easily, and without substantially damaging surrounding tissue, find the correct tissue depth and follow that tissue depth to the implant site. For example, the introducer may facilitate implantation of a therapy element within or between desired layers of tissue of the patient. In some embodiments, fluid may be injected through the introducer to create a space within the tissue to implant the therapy element. Fluid may also be evacuated through the introducer prior to implantation. | 12-23-2010 |
20110056076 | MEDICAL LEAD WITH SEGMENTED ELECTRODE - A method of manufacturing a segmented electrode assembly. An electrically conducting tube is coupled to an electrically insulating material. The tube is generally cylindrical and hollow and defines one or more gaps at a first axial position. The tube also includes one or more bridges located at a second axial position. The method includes removing at least a portion of the bridge resulting in a segmented electrode assembly having at least one segment. A number embodiments of making a tube are also provided. In another embodiment a method of manufacturing a medical lead using a segmented electrode assembly is provided. | 03-10-2011 |
20110061153 | Swimming goggles - Swimming goggles that are shaped by approximately profiling the goggles to the swimmer's head resulting in the goggles having a minimal tendency to be pulled off or pulled ajar from the swimmer's head by hydrodynamic forces while exhibiting minimal hydrodynamic drag. Optical arrays molded into the lenses of the goggles permit normal vision both underwater and above the water. | 03-17-2011 |
20120035616 | STEERING AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD VIA A ROTATIONAL COUPLING TO A STYLET - An implantable medical lead has a torsional stiffness and is rotationally coupled to a stylet. Applying rotation directly to the lead in turn causes rotation of the stylet. Where the stylet has a bent tip for purposes of steering the lead, the rotation applied to the lead rotates the bent tip so that the lead can be steered by rotating the lead rather than rotating a hub of the stylet. The rotational coupling may be achieved through one or more features provided for the lead and/or the stylet, such as a feature within a lumen of the lead that mates to a feature along the stylet or a feature of the stylet hub that engages the proximal end of the lead. The torsional stiffness of the lead may be provided by adding a feature within the lead body, such as a braided metal wire or an overlapping foil. | 02-09-2012 |
20120035694 | GROUNDING OF A SHIELD WITHIN AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD - Grounding of a shield that is located in an implantable medical lead may be done in many ways. The shield may be grounded directly to tissue from the lead body at one or more points along the lead body. The pathway for grounding may be a direct current pathway or be capacitively coupled. The pathway for grounding may utilize an exposed or nearly exposed shield at one or more points along the lead body. A jacket forming the lead body may have an outer layer removed at these points to provide the RF pathway to ground. Alternatively, the jacket may be doped with conductive particles at these points. Metal conductors such as ring electrodes and/or lead anchors may be attached to the lead at one or more points to provide the RF pathway to ground. | 02-09-2012 |
20120035695 | GROUNDING OF A SHIELD WITHIN AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD - Grounding of a shield that is located in an implantable medical lead may be done in many ways. The ground pathway may couple to the shield at a point that is outside of a header of an implantable medical device to which the implantable medical lead is attached. The ground pathway may couple to the shield at a point that is within the header of the implantable medical device. The ground pathway may terminate at the metal can of the implantable medical device. As another option, the ground pathway may terminate at a ground plate that is mounted to the header. The ground pathway may be direct current coupled from the shield to the can or ground plate. Alternatively, the ground pathway may include one or more capacitive couplings that provide a pathway for induced radio frequency current. | 02-09-2012 |
20120035696 | TERMINATION OF A SHIELD WITHIN AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD - A shield located within an implantable medical lead may be terminated in various ways. The shield may be terminated by butt, scarf, lap, or other joints between insulation layers surrounding the lead and an insulation extension. For lap joints, a portion of an outer insulation layer may be removed and a replacement outer insulation layer is positioned in place of the removed outer insulation layer, where the replacement layer extends beyond an inner insulation layer and the shield. The replacement layer may also lap onto a portion of the insulation extension. Barbs may be located between the replacement layer and the inner insulation layer or the insulation extension. The shield wires have ends at the termination point that may be folded over individually or may be capped with a ring located within one of the insulation layers of the jacket. | 02-09-2012 |
20120035697 | SHIELDED IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD WITH GUARDED TERMINATION - Implantable medical leads include a shield that is guarded at a termination by having a first portion and second portion of the shield, where the first portion is between a termination of the shield at the second portion and an inner insulation layer surrounding the filars. The first portion may reduce the coupling of RF energy from the termination of the shield at the second portion to the filars. The first and second portions may be part of a continuous shield, where the first and second portions are separated by an inversion of the shield. The first and second portions may instead be separate pieces. The first portion may be noninverted residing between the termination at the second portion and inner layers, or the first portion may be inverted to create first and second sub-portions. The shield termination at the second portion is between the first and second sub-portions. | 02-09-2012 |
20120041528 | TERMINATION OF A SHIELD WITHIN AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD - A shield located within an implantable medical lead may be terminated in various ways at a metal connector. The shield may be terminated by various joints including butt, scarf, lap, or other joints between insulation layers surrounding the lead and an insulation extension. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection to a single metal connector. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection by passing between an overlapping pair of inner and outer metal connectors. The metal connectors may include features such as teeth or threads that penetrate the insulation layers of the lead. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection by exiting a jacket of a lead adjacent to a metal connector and lapping onto the metal connector. | 02-16-2012 |
20120046722 | SHIELDING AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD - Implantable medical leads are shielded with a braided shield that surrounds an inner layer of insulation. An outer layer of insulation may also surround the shield. The shield is designed with parameters that limit the passage of radio frequency energy, particularly in the magnetic resonance imaging spectrum, to filars that are surrounded by the inner layer of insulation. The braided shield has a plurality of parameters and corresponding ranges. The parameters include one or more of braid angle, wire size, number of wires wound per direction, number of wires in a bundle, wire spacing in an axial dimension, ultimate tensile strength, cross-sectional wire shape, material, and distance from termination to a nearest electrode. Additional parameters of the lead related to the shielding also include one or more of inner insulation thickness, and outer insulation thickness. | 02-23-2012 |
20120130461 | RADIOPAQUE MARKERS FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEADS, DEVICES, AND SYSTEMS - Radiopaque markers represent that a lead is suitable for a particular medical procedure such as a magnetic resonance image scan and are added to the lead or related device. The markers may be added after implantation of the lead in various ways including suturing, gluing, crimping, or clamping a radiopaque tag to the lead or to the device. The markers may be added by placing a radiopaque coil about the lead, and the radiopaque coil may radially contract against the lead to obtain a fixed position. The markers may be added by placing a polymer structure onto the lead where the polymer structure includes a radiopaque marker within it. The polymer structure may include a cylindrical aperture that contracts against the lead to fix the position of the structure. The polymer structure may form a lead anchor that includes suture wings that can be sutured to the lead. | 05-24-2012 |
20120316619 | PROGRAMMING INTERFACE FOR STIMULATION THERAPY - The disclosure is directed to programming implantable stimulators to deliver stimulation energy via one or more implantable leads having complex electrode array geometries. The disclosure also contemplates guided programming to select electrode combinations and parameter values to support efficacy. The techniques may be applied to a programming interface associated with a clinician programmer, a patient programmer, or both. A user interface permits a user to view electrodes from different perspectives relative to the lead. For example, the user interface provides a side view of a lead and a cross-sectional view of the lead. The user interface may include an axial control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different axial positions along the length of a lead, and a rotational control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different angular positions around a circumference of the lead. | 12-13-2012 |
20130245735 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL ELECTRICAL LEAD AND CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - An implantable system that includes a lead and an implantable signal generator wherein the plurality of electrical contacts and the plurality of insulating regions on the lead, and the plurality of electrical connectors and the plurality of electrical insulators in the connector block are configured so that each of the plurality of electrical contacts form operable connections to the electronic circuitry through each of the plurality of electrical connector, and the insulating regions and the electrical insulators electrically isolate adjacent operable connections. Leads, and methods are also disclosed. | 09-19-2013 |
20130245736 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL ELECTRICAL LEAD AND CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - An implantable system that includes a lead and an implantable signal generator wherein the plurality of electrical contacts and the plurality of insulating regions on the lead, and the plurality of electrical connectors and the plurality of electrical insulators in the connector block are configured so that each of the plurality of electrical contacts form operable connections to the electronic circuitry through each of the plurality of electrical connector, and the insulating regions and the electrical insulators electrically isolate adjacent operable connections. Leads, and methods are also disclosed. | 09-19-2013 |
20130289446 | Bladder Fullness Level Indication Based on Bladder Oscillation Frequency - A bladder fullness level of a patient may be determined based on a frequency of mechanical oscillations of the bladder of the patient. The bladder may mechanically oscillate in response to the occurrence of non-micturition contractions of the bladder of the patient, which are contractions not associated with urine release. The frequency at which the bladder oscillates, e.g., following a non-micturition contraction, may have a correlation to the bladder fullness level. In some examples, a medical device may be configured to control the delivery of electrical stimulation therapy to the patient based on the oscillation frequency of the bladder. In addition, or instead to controlling therapy based on the oscillation frequency of the bladder, a notification, such as a patient or patient caretaker notification, may be generated (e.g., automatically by a processor of a device) based on the oscillation frequency of the bladder. | 10-31-2013 |
20130310706 | PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITION DETERMINATION BASED ON PRESSURE WAVE PRODUCED BY AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE HOUSING - A physiological state of a patient is detected by at least producing and detecting pressure waves with a free wall of an implantable medical device (IMD) housing. An actuator element may contact the free wall, e.g., a portion of the IMD housing, and cause movement of the free wall that produces a pressure wave within the fluid and tissue of the patient. A detector element contacting the free wall may in turn detect reflected pressure waves received by the free wall. An acoustic module within the IMD may then determine a physiological condition of the patient, e.g., a bladder fullness state, based on the time delay between the transmitted and reflected pressure waves. In some examples in which the IMD also delivers stimulation therapy to the patient, e.g., incontinence therapy, the IMD may also automatically adjust stimulation therapy based on the determined physiological condition. | 11-21-2013 |
20140088666 | UNWRAPPED 2D VIEW OF A STIMULATION LEAD WITH COMPLEX ELECTRODE ARRAY GEOMETRY - The disclosure is directed to programming implantable stimulators to deliver stimulation energy via one or more implantable leads having complex electrode array geometries. The disclosure also contemplates guided programming to select electrode combinations and parameter values to support efficacy. The techniques may be applied to a programming interface associated with a clinician programmer, a patient programmer, or both. A user interface permits a user to view electrodes from different perspectives relative to the lead. For example, the user interface provides a side view of a lead and a cross-sectional view of the lead. The user interface may include an axial control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different axial positions along the length of a lead, and a rotational control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different angular positions around a circumference of the lead. | 03-27-2014 |
20140107731 | USER INTERFACE WITH 3D ENVIRONMENT FOR CONFIGURING STIMULATION THERAPY - The disclosure describes a method and system that allows a user to configure electrical stimulation therapy by defining a three-dimensional (3D) stimulation field. After a stimulation lead is implanted in a patient, a clinician manipulates the 3D stimulation field in a 3D environment to encompass desired anatomical regions of the patient. In this manner, the clinician determines which anatomical regions to stimulate, and the system generates the necessary stimulation parameters. In some cases, a lead icon representing the implanted lead is displayed to show the clinician where the lead is relative to the 3D anatomical regions of the patient. | 04-17-2014 |
20140114374 | PERIPHERAL NERVE FIELD STIMULATION AND SPINAL CORD STIMULATION - Delivery of peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) in combination with one or more other therapies is described. The other therapy delivered in combination with PNFS may be, for example, a different type of neurostimulation, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS), or a drug. PNFS and the other therapy may be delivered simultaneously, in an alternating fashion, according to a schedule, and/or selectively, e.g., in response to a request received from a patient or clinician. A combination therapy that includes PNFS may be able to more completely address complex or multifocal pain than would be possible through delivery of either PNFS or other therapies alone. Further, the combination of PNFS with one or more other therapies may reduce the likelihood that neural accommodation will impair the perceived effectiveness PNFS or the other therapies. | 04-24-2014 |
20140163579 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE IMPLANTABLE NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEM - A medical device system for delivering a neuromodulation therapy includes a delivery tool for deploying an implantable medical device at a neuromodulation therapy site. The implantable medical device includes a housing, an electronic circuit within the housing, and an electrical lead comprising a lead body extending between a proximal end coupled to the housing and a distal end extending away from the housing and at least one electrode carried by the lead body. The delivery tool includes a first cavity for receiving the housing and a second cavity for receiving the lead. The first cavity and the second cavity are in direct communication for receiving and deploying the housing and the lead coupled to the housing concomitantly as a single unit. | 06-12-2014 |
20140163580 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE IMPLANTABLE NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEM - A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes. | 06-12-2014 |
20140277316 | MEDICAL LEADS AND TECHNIQUES FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - In some examples, the disclosure relates to a medical device comprising a lead including an electrically conductive lead wire; and an electrode electrically coupled to the lead wire, the electrode including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion defines an exposed outer surface of the electrode and is electrically coupled to the second portion along a first interface, wherein the second portion is electrically coupled to the lead wire along a second interface different from the first interface via welding to couple the lead wire to the electrode, wherein an electrical signal may be transferred between the lead wire and exposed outer surface of the first portion via the second portion, and wherein the first portion is formed from a first material having a first composition, and the second portion is formed from a second material having a second composition different from the first composition. | 09-18-2014 |
20140343644 | MEDICAL LEADS AND TECHNIQUES FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - In some examples, the disclosure relates to a medical device comprising a lead including an electrically conductive lead wire; and an electrode electrically coupled to the lead wire, the electrode including a substrate and a coating on an outer surface of the substrate, wherein the lead wire is formed of a composition comprising titanium or titanium alloys, wherein the substrate is formed of a composition comprising one or more of titanium, tantalum, niobium, and alloys thereof, wherein the coating comprises at least one of Pt, TiN, IrOx, and poly(dioctyl-bithiophene) (PDOT). In some examples, the lead wire may be coupled to the lead wire via a weld, such as, e.g., a laser weld. | 11-20-2014 |
20140345132 | TERMINATION OF A SHIELD WITHIN AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD - A shield located within an implantable medical lead may be terminated in various ways at a metal connector. The shield may be terminated by various joints including butt, scarf, lap, or other joints between insulation layers surrounding the lead and an insulation extension. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection to a single metal connector. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection by passing between an overlapping pair of inner and outer metal connectors. The metal connectors may include features such as teeth or threads that penetrate the insulation layers of the lead. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection by exiting a jacket of a lead adjacent to a metal connector and lapping onto the metal connector. | 11-27-2014 |
20140350654 | GROUNDING OF A SHIELD WITHIN AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD - Implantable medical leads include a shield that is guarded at a termination by having a first portion and a second portion of the shield, where the first portion is between a termination of the shield at the second portion and an inner insulation layer that surrounds the filars. The first portion may reduce the coupling of RF energy from the termination of the shield at the second portion to the filars. The first and second portions may be part of a continuous shield, where the first and second portions are separated by an inversion of the shield. The first and second portions may instead be separate pieces. The first portion may be noninverted and reside between the termination at the second portion and the inner layers, or the first portion may be inverted to create first and second sub-portions. The shield termination at the second portion is between the first and second sub-portions. | 11-27-2014 |
20150082618 | SHIELDED IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD WITH REDUCED TORSIONAL STIFFNESS - Shields within implantable leads increase the torsional stiffness of the leads. The torsional stiffness may be reduced by cutting the shield axially to break the circumferential mechanical continuity of the shield. The circumferential shielding continuity of the shield may be re-established to preserve the shielding effect in various manners. The shield may overlap onto itself to close the slot created by the cut. A shield patch may be placed across the slot created by the cut. The shield may be located between two insulation layers of the lead. The shield may be cut and then the slot closed prior to application of the outer insulation layer. The outer insulation layer may then be added over the shield. The outer insulation layer may be compliant so that once covered, the circumferential mechanical continuity of the shield remains broken. | 03-26-2015 |