Abstract: An implantable electrical lead is provided. The electrical lead comprises an electrically insulative, flexible, elongated lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, an electrical contact carried by the distal end of the lead body, an electrical terminal carried by the proximal end of the lead body, an electrical conductor axially extending within the lead body between the electrical contact and the electrical terminal, and a stiffening tube extending within the proximal end of the lead body from a point proximal to the terminal to a point distal to the terminal and proximal to the electrode. An implantable lead assembly kit comprises the implantable electrical lead, and a connector configured for firmly receiving the proximal end of the lead body. A method of implanting the electrical lead comprises introducing the electrical lead into a patient.

Abstract: A lead assembly includes a lead with a distal end and a proximal end. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end and a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end. The lead also defines at least one central lumen and a plurality of outer lumens. The central and outer lumens extend from the proximal end to the distal end such that the plurality of outer lumens extend laterally from the at least one central lumen. The lead further includes a plurality of conductive wires. Each conductive wire couples at least one of the plurality of electrodes electrically to at least one of the plurality of terminals. At least two conductive wires are disposed in each of the plurality of outer lumens.

Abstract: A lead anchor includes a body defining a lead lumen having a first opening and a second opening through which a lead can pass. The body further defines a transverse lumen that intersects the lead lumen. An exterior member is disposed around at least a portion of the body. The exterior member is formed of a biocompatible material. A fastener anchors the lead to the body through the transverse lumen by deforming a portion of the lead. The transverse lumen is configured and arranged to receive the fastener. At least at least two suture tabs extend from the exterior member and are configured and arranged for receiving a suture to suture the lead anchor to patient tissue.

Abstract: An implantable lead includes a first lead assembly with a distal tip and a medial end, a medial section with a first end and a second end, and a first intermediate assembly disposed between the first lead assembly and the first end of the medial section. The first lead assembly includes a plurality of external contacts and at least one conductive wire disposed in the first lead assembly. The at least one conductive wire extends from at least one external contact towards the medial end of the first lead assembly. The medial section includes a plurality of conductors extending from the first end to the second end. The first intermediate assembly includes a plurality of conductive elements. At least one of the conductive elements is configured and arranged to electrically couple the at least one conductive wire to at least one of the conductors.

Abstract: A lead for providing electrical stimulation of patient tissue includes a distal lead element, at least two proximal lead elements, and a junction coupling the distal lead element to each of the at least two proximal lead elements. The distal lead element includes a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of conductive wires coupled to the plurality of electrodes and extending along a longitudinal axis of the distal lead element. Each of the at least two proximal lead elements includes a plurality of terminals and a plurality of conductive wires coupled to the plurality of terminals and extending along a longitudinal axis of the proximal lead element. The junction includes a circuit arrangement electrically coupling each of the conductive wires of the distal lead element to at least one of the conductive wires of at least one of the at least two proximal lead elements.

Abstract: An insertion kit for an electrical stimulation system includes a lead with a lead body and a jacket disposed over at least a portion of the lead body. Apertures are defined along an outer surface of the lead body with each of the apertures extending completely through the jacket to an inner surface. The apertures include at least one first aperture. Conductors electrically couple electrodes and terminals disposed along the lead. Conductor insulation is disposed over each of the conductors. At least a portion of the conductor insulation is in fluid communication with the local environment external to the lead via the apertures. A fluid-insertion assembly is configured and arranged for inputting fluid into the lead, via the at least one first aperture, prior to implantation of the lead into the patient.

Abstract: An exemplary steerable stylet handle assembly includes a housing having first and second side walls defining a channel therebetween, a button in communication with the first and second side walls and configured to move distally and proximally within the channel, and a stylet subassembly having an inner stylet wire located at least partially within an outer tubing. The inner stylet wire has a pre-curved portion and is coupled to a proximal portion of the housing. The outer tubing is coupled to the button. Movement of the button within the channel is configured to selectively expose and cover at least a portion of the pre-curved distal portion of the inner stylet wire with the outer tubing.

Abstract: An operating room cable for electrically coupling a lead to a trial stimulator includes a trial stimulator connector electrically coupleable with the trial stimulator and a lead connector for receiving the lead. The lead connector includes a housing. A first lead aperture is defined in a second end of the housing in proximity to a first side of the housing. A first inner passage extends along an interior of the housing from the first lead aperture to the second end of the housing. A first stylet slit is defined along the first side of the housing and extends from a first end of the housing to the second end of the housing. The first stylet slit is formed between upper and lower casings of the housing. The first stylet slit is continuous with the first lead aperture and the first inner passage.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation lead includes a plurality of conductive contacts disposed at a distal end and a proximal end of a lead body. The plurality of conductive contacts includes a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of terminals. At least one of the conductive contacts is a first conductive contact that includes at least one adhesive aperture defined between an inner surface and an outer surface of the at least one conductive contact. A plurality of conductors each electrically couple at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals. Each first conductive contact has a conductor associated with, and electrically coupled to that first conductive contact. The adhesive is disposed in proximity to the at least one adhesive aperture of at least one first conductive contact to adhesively couple that first conductive contact to the at least one associated conductor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lead includes pre-forming at least one relief section along a length of an elongated conductor having a first end and an opposing second end. The conductor with the pre-formed relief section is inserted into a conductor lumen defined along a length of an elongated lead body. The lead body has a first end and an opposing second end. An electrode is disposed at the first end of the lead body. The first end of the conductor is electrically coupled to the electrode. A terminal is disposed at the second end of the lead body. The second end of the conductor is electrically coupled to the terminal.

Abstract: An implantable lead anchor includes a first anchor housing, a second anchor housing, an armature, a spindle, and a locking arrangement. The first and second anchor housing each includes at least one channel to hold a portion of a lead. The armature is coupled to the first and the second anchor housings and holds the first and second anchor housings in a spaced-apart arrangement. A spindle is rotatably disposed on the armature and between the first and second anchor housing. In addition, the spindle includes a third channel to receive and hold a portion of a lead. The locking arrangement is formed on the spindle and at least one of the first or second anchor housing. The locking arrangement maintains the spindle in a rotated position relative to the first and second anchor housing when the locking arrangement is activated.

Abstract: A multi-needle paddle lead introducer includes a needle assembly, a hub assembly, and a sheath. The needle assembly includes at least one primary needle and at least one secondary needle. The secondary needle is coupled to the primary needle along a portion of the longitudinal length of the needle assembly such that the primary needle and the secondary needle are arranged in a side-by-side configuration. The secondary needle is configured and arranged to move relative to the primary needle along the longitudinal length of the needle assembly. The hub assembly includes a primary needle hub coupled to a proximal end portion of the primary needle and a secondary needle hub coupled to a proximal end portion of the primary needle. The sheath is configured and arranged for disposing over a portion of an outer surface of the needle assembly and for sliding along the longitudinal length of the needle assembly.

Abstract: An operating room cable for electrically coupling a lead to a trial stimulator includes a trial stimulator connector electrically coupleable with the trial stimulator and a lead connector for receiving the lead. The lead connector includes a housing. A first lead aperture is defined in a second end of the housing in proximity to a first side of the housing. A first inner passage extends along an interior of the housing from the first lead aperture to the second end of the housing. A first stylet slit is defined along the first side of the housing and extends from a first end of the housing to the second end of the housing. The first stylet slit is formed between upper and lower casings of the housing. The first stylet slit is continuous with the first lead aperture and the first inner passage.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lead includes pre-forming at least one relief section along a length of an elongated conductor having a first end and an opposing second end. The conductor with the pre-formed relief section is inserted into a conductor lumen defined along a length of an elongated lead body. The lead body has a first end and an opposing second end. An electrode is disposed at the first end of the lead body. The first end of the conductor is electrically coupled to the electrode. A terminal is disposed at the second end of the lead body. The second end of the conductor is electrically coupled to the terminal.

Abstract: The burr hole plug comprises a plug base configured for being mounted around a burr hole, and having an aperture through which an elongated medical device exiting the burr hole may pass. The burr hole plug further comprises a retainer configured for being mounted within the plug base aperture. The retainer includes a retainer support, a slot formed in the retainer support for receiving the medical device, and a clamping mechanism having a clamping bar and a flange slidably engaged with the retainer support to laterally slide the clamping bar to secure the medical device. A method comprises introducing the medical device through the burr hole, mounting the plug base around the burr hole, mounting the retainer within the plug base aperture, receiving the medical device into the slot, and sliding the slidable flange relative to the retainer support to laterally slide to secure the medical device.

Abstract: A lead assembly includes a lead with a distal end and a proximal end. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end and a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end. The lead also defines at least one central lumen and a plurality of outer lumens. The central and outer lumens extend from the proximal end to the distal end such that the plurality of outer lumens extend laterally from the at least one central lumen. The lead further includes a plurality of conductive wires. Each conductive wire couples at least one of the plurality of electrodes electrically to at least one of the plurality of terminals. At least two conductive wires are disposed in each of the plurality of outer lumens.

Abstract: An implantable lead assembly for providing electrical stimulation to a patient includes a lead body; a terminal disposed along a proximal end of the lead body; and an orthopedic implant coupled to a distal end of the lead body. The orthopedic implant is configured and arranged for anchoring to a bony structure. At least one mounting region is disposed along the orthopedic implant. The at least one mounting region is configured and arranged for anchoring the orthopedic implant to the at least one bony structure. An electrode is disposed along a stimulation region of the orthopedic implant. A conductor electrically couples the terminal to the electrode.

Abstract: A lead introducer includes an outer needle with a sharpened distal tip and an open channel extending along an entire length of the outer needle. An inner needle slides along the open channel of the outer needle. The inner needle includes a blunt distal tip. A biasing element is coupled to the inner needle and facilitates transition of the inner-needle distal tip between a distally-biased position, where the inner-needle distal tip obstructs the sharpened outer-needle distal tip, and a retracted position, where the inner-needle distal tip exposes the sharpened outer-needle distal tip. A splittable member is disposable over the outer needle when the inner needle is disposed in the open channel of the outer needle. The splittable member is separatable from the inner and outer needles along at least one perforated region.

Abstract: A lead introducer includes an outer needle with an outer-needle body. The outer-needle body includes a bend of at least 5° permanently formed along a distal end portion of the outer-needle body. The bend facilitates insertion of the lead introducer into an epidural space of a patient. The outer-needle body defines an open channel extending, along an entire length of the outer-needle body. An inner needle is slidable along the open channel of the outer needle. The inner needle includes an inner-needle body that defines a lumen extending along an entire length of the inner-needle body. A splittable member is disposable over the outer needle when the inner needle is disposed in the open channel of the outer needle. The splittable member is separatable from the inner and outer needles along at least one perforated region.

Abstract: A lead assembly includes a lead with a distal end and a proximal end. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end and a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end. The lead also defines at least one central lumen and a plurality of outer lumens. The central and outer lumens extend from the proximal end to the distal end such that the plurality of outer lumens extend laterally from the at least one central lumen. The lead further includes a plurality of conductive wires. Each conductive wire couples at least one of the plurality of electrodes electrically to at least one of the plurality of terminals. At least two conductive wires are disposed in each of the plurality of outer lumens.