ELECTRODE AND INSULATION ASSEMBLY FOR A LEAD AND METHOD THEREFOR
A lead assembly includes an inner electrode coupled with a conductor, and an outer electrode disposed over the inner electrode, where the outer electrode is coupled with at least a portion of the inner electrode. Insulative material is disposed between a portion of the inner and outer electrodes, for example within a void between the inner and outer electrodes.
Latest Patents:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/813,496, filed on Mar. 30, 2004, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference
TECHNICAL FIELDLeads for conducting electrical signals to and from the heart, and more particularly, leads having an interconnect for one or more electrodes and the conductor.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUNDPacemaker leads represent the electrical link between the pulse generator and the heart tissue, which is to be excited and/or sensed. These pacemaker leads include single or multiconductors that are connected to an electrode in an electrode assembly at an intermediate portion or distal end of a pacing lead. A connector is included at the proximal end to form the electrical connection with the pacemaker.
To implant the lead within the patient, the lead is often fed intravenously toward the heart, where the lead is implanted for long periods of time, i.e. chronically. During a chronic implant, the lead is subject to bodily fluids over a long period of time.
Accordingly, what is needed is a lead having a lead body with resistance to leakage. What is further needed is a lead that is manufacturable in a repeatable and reliable manner.
SUMMARYA lead assembly includes an inner electrode coupled with a conductor, and an outer electrode disposed over the inner electrode, where the outer electrode is coupled with at least a portion of the inner electrode, for example with a coupling projection, such as an annular or a non-annular projection of the inner electrode. Optionally, means for aligning the outer electrode relative to the inner electrode are included. Insulative material is disposed between a portion of the inner and outer electrodes, for example within a void between the inner and outer electrodes. The insulative material, in one option, extends between the outer electrode inner surface to at least a portion of the inner electrode outer surface, and/or along the length of the inner electrode, thereby forming an internal bridge within the lead assembly.
Several options for the lead assembly are as follows. For example, in one option, the lead assembly includes alignment features for aligning the outer electrode with the inner electrode, such as alignment features on the outer electrode, i.e. a sight hole, or alignment features on the inner electrode, i.e. cross-hairs marked on the inner electrode.
Several variations for the coupling projection are also possible. For instance, in one option the coupling projection has a cross-section with one or more substantially flat sides. In another option, the coupling projection extends substantially from the first end to the second end, or has a length substantially as long as the inner electrode.
A method is further provided including coupling a conductor with an inner electrode, disposing insulative material over the conductor and inner electrode, disposing an outer electrode over the inner electrode and disposing the insulative material such that insulative material extends between an inner surface of the outer electrode and an outer surface of the inner electrode, or along a length of the inner electrode, for example with a preformed insulative component. The method further includes coupling the outer electrode with the inner electrode with an optional coupling projection of the inner electrode, for example by welding the outer electrode to the inner electrode. Another option, is coupling by laser welding.
Several options for the method are as follows. For instance, in one option the inner electrode includes a non-annular projection extending therefrom to which the outer electrode is coupled. In another option, the method further includes aligning the outer electrode with the inner electrode prior to coupling the outer electrode with the inner electrode. In yet another option, the method includes disposing one or more recesses over one or more coupling projections of the inner electrode.
These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and features will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description and referenced drawings or by practice thereof. The aspects, advantages, and features are realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims and their equivalents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope is defined by the appended claims.
A lead assembly 110 and lead system 100 are illustrated in
The lead assembly 110 includes a lead body 113 which extends from a proximal end 112, where it is coupled with the pulse generator 105, as further discussed below. The lead assembly 110 extends to a distal end 114, which is coupled with a portion of a heart 102, when implanted. The distal end 114 of the lead assembly 110 includes at least one electrode assembly 116 which electrically couples the lead assembly 110 with the heart 102. At least one electrical conductor 120 (
Referring to
The lead assembly further includes the electrode assembly 116, that includes an inner electrode 150 and an outer electrode 160, where at least a portion of the inner electrode 150 is disposed within the outer electrode 160. A void 151 is defined between the inner electrode 150 and the outer electrode 160. For example, in one option, the void 151 is defined between an inner electrode outer surface 154, and an outer electrode inner surface 162. An insulative material 170 is disposed between a portion of the inner and outer electrodes 150, 160, for example, within the void 151. In one option, the insulative material 170 extends between the outer electrode inner surface 162 to at least a portion of the inner electrode outer surface 154. In another option, insulative material such as tubing 178, i.e. silicone tubing is disposed adjacent to the inner electrode 150.
In one option, the outer electrode 160 surrounds an outer perimeter of the inner electrode 150, and the one or more projections 152 are used to couple the components together. For example, in one option, the outer electrode 160 is welded to the inner electrode 150, for example, by laser welding. Other mechanical attachment methods can be used as well.
The outer electrode 160, in one option, includes a ring electrode as illustrated in
As mentioned above, insulative material 170 is disposed between the outer electrode 160 and the inner electrode 150 (
The preformed component 172 is assembled over the inner electrode 150, and includes features such as a recess 174 that can mate with features of the inner electrode 150 (
A method is further provided where the method includes coupling a conductor with an inner electrode, and an outer electrode, for example for the components and various embodiments discussed above and/or illustrated in the drawings. The coupling of the inner electrode and the conductor allows for, in one option, alignment of the inner electrode and the conductor, i.e. visually.
The method includes coupling a conductor with an inner electrode, disposing insulative material over the conductor and inner electrode, disposing an outer electrode over the inner electrode and disposing the insulative material such that insulative material extends between an inner surface of the outer electrode and an outer surface of the inner electrode, or along a length of the inner electrode, for example with a preformed insulative component. The method further includes coupling the outer electrode with the inner electrode with an optional coupling projection of the inner electrode, for example by laser welding the outer electrode to the inner electrode.
Several options for the method are as follows. For instance, in one option the inner electrode includes a non-annular projection extending therefrom to which the outer electrode is coupled. In another option, the method further includes aligning the outer electrode with the inner electrode prior to coupling the outer electrode with the inner electrode. In yet another option, the method includes disposing one or more recesses over one or more coupling projections of the inner electrode.
Advantageously, the above-discussed and illustrated design assists in providing an internal to pass through the electrode assembly, increase the performance of the lead under axial load. The conductor is sealed from the outside environment, preventing leaks under chronic applications. Furthermore, the preformed component of insulative material can reduce loss associated with an in-line molding process.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although the use of the implantable device has been described for use as a lead in, for example, a cardiac stimulation system, the implantable device could as well be applied to other types of body stimulating systems. Furthermore, it should be noted that the embodiments, and various options described above and illustrated in the drawings, may be selectively combined to form additional embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Claims
1. A lead assembly comprising:
- at least one conductor extending from a conductor proximal end to a conductor distal end;
- an inner electrode mechanically coupled with the at least one conductor along an inner electrode length extending from an inner electrode first end to an inner electrode second end, the inner electrode defined in part by an inner electrode inner surface, an inner electrode outer surface and inner electrode end surfaces;
- an outer electrode disposed over the inner electrode, the outer electrode coupled with at least a portion of the inner electrode positioned between the inner electrode first end and the inner electrode second end, the inner electrode and the outer electrode having a void therebetween; and
- insulative material disposed between a portion of the inner electrode and the outer electrode within the void.
2. The lead assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner electrode and the outer electrode are coupled together along at least one non-annular coupling projection extending between the inner electrode outer surface and an outer electrode inner surface.
3. The lead assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one non-annular coupling projection extends from the inner electrode outer surface.
4. The lead assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one non-annular coupling projection has a cross-section with one or more substantially flat sides.
5. The lead assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one non-annular coupling projection is defined in part by a projection outer surface, the projection outer surface having an outer profile matable with an inner profile of the outer electrode inner surface.
6. The lead assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one non-annular coupling projection has a projection length extending substantially from the inner electrode first end to the inner electrode second end.
7. The lead assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one non-annular coupling projection has a projection length substantially as long as the outer electrode.
8. The lead assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer electrode includes one or more outer electrode alignment features therein.
9. The lead assembly of claim 8, wherein the one or more outer electrode alignment features include at least one sight hole extending from an outer electrode outer surface to the outer electrode inner surface.
10. The lead assembly of claim 2, wherein the insulating material includes at least one recess sized and shaped to receive the at least one non-annular coupling projection.
11. The lead assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one recess is smaller than the at least one non-annular coupling projection.
12. A lead assembly comprising:
- at least one conductor extending from a conductor proximal end to a conductor distal end;
- an inner electrode defined in part by an inner electrode inner surface, an inner electrode outer surface, a first end, and a second end, the inner electrode mechanically coupled with the at least one conductor along a substantial length thereof;
- an outer electrode disposed over the inner electrode, the outer electrode coupled with at least a portion of the inner electrode, the inner electrode and the outer electrode having a void therebetween; and
- the inner electrode and the outer electrode coupled together along at least one coupling projection disposed between the inner electrode and the outer electrode.
13. The lead assembly of claim 12, further comprising insulative material disposed between a portion of the inner and the outer electrodes within the void, the insulative material extending in part between the first end and the second end of the inner electrode.
14. The lead assembly of claim 13, wherein the insulative material includes at least one recess, and the at least one coupling projection is disposed within the at least one recess.
15. The lead assembly of claim 12, wherein the at least one coupling projection has a projection length substantially as long as the outer electrode.
16. A method comprising:
- mechanically coupling a conductor with an inner electrode along a substantial portion of an inner electrode length extending from an inner electrode first end to an inner electrode second end;
- disposing insulative material over the conductor and the inner electrode;
- disposing an outer electrode over the inner electrode and portions of the insulative material; and
- coupling the outer electrode with the inner electrode, including coupling along at least one coupling projection positioned between the inner electrode first end and the inner electrode second end and extending between an inner surface of the outer electrode and an outer surface of the inner electrode.
17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein coupling the outer electrode with the inner electrode includes welding the outer electrode with the inner electrode.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein disposing insulative material over the conductor and the inner electrode includes disposing a preformed insulating material having one or more recesses therein over the conductor and the inner electrode.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising disposing the one or more recesses over one or more non-annular coupling projections of the inner electrode.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein disposing insulative material includes disposing insulative material over the conductor and the inner electrode includes disposing insulative material over the inner electrode length.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein coupling the outer electrode with the inner electrode includes coupling the outer electrode with a non-annular coupling projection extending outward from the outer surface of the inner electrode.
22. The method of claim 16, further comprising forming the inner electrode using at least one of injection molding or electrical discharge machining.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 13, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 5, 2007
Applicant:
Inventors: Mark McAuliffe (Mounds View, MN), Jaime Rugnetta (White Bear Lake, MN), Brian Soltis (St. Paul, MN)
Application Number: 11/685,640
International Classification: A61N 1/05 (20060101);