Abstract: A neurostimulation system includes a lead, a receptacle, and a fastener. The lead includes electrodes disposed along the distal portion of the lead, contacts disposed along the proximal portion of the lead, and a slot extending completely through the lead and formed near an end of the proximal portion of the lead. The receptacle defines a lumen for receiving the proximal end of the lead and includes contacts for making electrical contact with the contacts on the lead when the lead is received by the receptacle. The receptacle further includes a slot through the receptacle that is configured and arranged to align with the slot of the lead when the lead is received by the receptacle. The fastener is configured and arranged to be inserted completely through the slot in the lead and through the slot in the receptacle to fasten the lead and the lead extension together.

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 system for a neurostimulator coupled to electrodes, and a method of providing therapy to a patient using the electrodes implanted within the patient. A target multipole relative to the electrodes is defined. The target multipole is emulated by defining an initial electrical current distribution for the electrodes, such that a first set of active electrodes respectively has electrical current values of a first polarity. Each of the electrical current values of the first polarity is compared to a first threshold value, and at least one of the electrodes in the first active electrode set is zeroed-out based on the comparison. The electrical current value of each of the zeroed-out electrode(s) is redistributed to remaining ones of the electrodes to define a new electrical current distribution for the electrodes. Electrical current is conveyed to the electrodes in accordance with the new electrical current distribution, thereby providing the therapy.

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 paddle lead includes a paddle body, configured and arranged for implantation in a patient's body, having a first face and a second face opposing the first face. The paddle lead also includes a plurality of electrodes disposed on the paddle body and configured and arranged for stimulating patient tissue adjacent the paddle body. The paddle lead further includes at least one indicium, independent of the plurality of electrodes, disposed on, or formed by, the paddle body. The at least one indicium is configured and arranged such that, when the paddle body is inserted within the patient's body and viewed under fluoroscopy, the at least one indicium identifies a facing orientation of the paddle body within the patient's body.

Abstract: An implantable lead includes a lead body. A plurality of conductors are disposed within the lead body and electrically couple at least one electrode to at least one terminal. At least one of the conductors includes a plurality of units. Each of the units includes a first conductor segment extending along the lead body from a beginning point to a first position, a second conductor segment extending from the first position to a second position, and a third conductor segment extending along the elongated member from the second position to an endpoint. The conductor segments are arranged so as to form alternating single-coil regions and multi-coil regions. At least one support element is disposed along at least a portion of at least one of the single-coil regions and is configured and arranged to increase the stiffness of the at least one of the single-coil regions.

Abstract: A method and system include a processor that outputs a model of anatomical structures of a region in which a leadwire is implanted, the structures being distinguished by graphical indicia associated with respective textual descriptions in a legend. Electrodes of a model of the leadwire overlaid on the anatomical structure models are selectable, in response to which selection the processor displays a control for modifying an electrical setting of the selected contact.

Abstract: A lead anchor assembly includes a burr hole cover that defines a first lead aperture in a side exterior surface, a second lead aperture in a bottom exterior surface, and a fastener aperture. An anchoring unit is disposed in the burr hole cover and includes a fastener for anchoring a lead to the burr hole cover. A lead pathway is defined through the burr hole cover and the anchoring unit. The lead pathway extends from the first lead aperture to the second lead aperture and is configured to receive a lead. A fastener pathway is defined through both the burr hole cover and the anchoring unit and intersects the lead pathway at an anchoring location. The fastener pathway is configured for movement of the fastener along the fastener pathway to engage and disengage the lead when the lead extends along the lead pathway across the anchoring location.

Abstract: A method and neurostimulation system of providing therapy to a patient is provided. At least one electrode is place in contact with tissue of a patient. A sub-threshold, hyperpolarizing, conditioning pre-pulse (e.g., an anodic pulse) is conveyed from the electrode(s) to render a first region of the tissue (e.g., dorsal root fibers) less excitable to stimulation, and a depolarizing stimulation pulse (e.g., a cathodic pulse) is conveyed from the electrode(s) to stimulate a second different region of the tissue (e.g., dorsal column fibers). The conditioning pre-pulse has a relatively short duration (e.g., less than 200 ?s).

Abstract: A method for forming a lead or lead extension includes forming an arrangement of elongated conductors. Each of the conductors extends from a proximal end of the arrangement to a distal end of the arrangement. Each of the conductors includes a layer of insulation disposed over a conductive core. A conductor-separating element is disposed over either the proximal end or the distal end of the arrangement. The conductor-separating element includes a plurality of ablation windows defined in a body. An end of at least one of the elongated conductors is radially extended over a portion of the conductor-separating element such that a portion of the at least one elongated conductor extends across at least one of the ablation windows. Insulation from the portion of the at least one conductor extending across the ablation window is ablated to expose a portion of the conductive core of the elongated conductor.

Abstract: An improved embodiment of an external device for an implantable medical device system is described herein, where the external device has both circuitry for charging the implantable medical device and circuitry for telemetering data to and from the medical implant contained within a single housing. The external device in one embodiment includes orthogonal radiators in which both the radiators are used for data transfer, and in which at least one of the radiators is used for power transfer. Having charging and data telemetry circuitry fully integrated within a single external device conveniences both patient and clinician.

Abstract: An improved external charger for charging the battery within or providing power to an implantable medical device is disclosed. The improved external charger includes circuitry for detecting the temperature of the external charger and for controlling charging to prevent exceeding a maximum temperature. The external charger in some embodiments includes a user interface for allowing a patient to set the external charger's maximum temperature. The user interface can be used to select either constant maximum temperatures, or can allow the user to choose from a number of stored charging programs, which programs can control the maximum temperature to vary over time. Alternatively, a charging program in the external charger can vary the maximum temperature set point automatically. By controlling the maximum temperature of the external charger during charging in these manners, the time needed to charge can be minimized while still ensuring a temperature that is comfortable for that patient.

Abstract: By incorporating magnetic field-inducing position determination coils (PDCs) in an external charger, it is possible to determine the position of an implantable device by actively inducing magnetic fields using the PDCs and sensing the reflected magnetic field from the implant. In one embodiment, the PDCs are driven by an AC power source with a frequency equal to the charging coil. In another embodiment, the PDCs are driven by an AC power source at a frequency different from that of the charging coil. By comparing the relative reflected magnetic field strengths at each of the PDCs, the position of the implant relative to the external charger can be determined. Audio and/or visual feedback can then be communicated to the patient to allow the patient to improve the alignment of the charger.