Abstract: A medical cable connector of a medical cable receives a medical lead while an electrical receptacle within the medical cable connector is placed into a distal position relative to an outer body of the medical cable connector. The electrical receptacle is retracted to a proximal position once insertion of the medical lead into the medical cable connector is completed. The electrical receptacle may be mounted to an inner body which moves relative to the outer body. A biasing member may be present to bias the inner body to a particular position. A slider may be present to provide a clinician with a surface to touch when applying force to position the electrical receptacle in the distal position for insertion of the medical lead. Various other features may be present to facilitate insertion of the medical lead and/or to maintain the position of the electrical receptacle relative to the outer body.

Abstract: A system for applying an electrical stimulation includes a lead and a stylet slidably disposed within a lumen of the lead body and extending proximally therefrom. The lead includes a plurality of insulated conductor wires electrically isolated from one another and each having a distal segment terminating at distal end, an intermediate segment, and a proximal segment terminating at a proximal end, wherein the distal ends are electrically coupled to a respective one of the stimulating electrodes and the intermediate segments extend proximal the lead body and are characterized as having a non-coiled configuration.

Abstract: A medical cable connector of a medical cable receives a medical lead while an electrical receptacle within the medical cable connector is placed into a distal position relative to an outer body of the medical cable connector. The electrical receptacle is retracted to a proximal position once insertion of the medical lead into the medical cable connector is completed. The electrical receptacle may be mounted to an inner body which moves relative to the outer body. A biasing member may be present to bias the inner body to a particular position. A slider may be present to provide a clinician with a surface to touch when applying force to position the electrical receptacle in the distal position for insertion of the medical lead. Various other features may be present to facilitate insertion of the medical lead and/or to maintain the position of the electrical receptacle relative to the outer body.

Abstract: A medical cable connector of a medical cable receives a medical lead while an electrical receptacle within the medical cable connector is placed into a distal position relative to an outer body of the medical cable connector. The electrical receptacle is retracted to a proximal position once insertion of the medical lead into the medical cable connector is completed. The electrical receptacle may be mounted to an inner body which moves relative to the outer body. A biasing member may be present to bias the inner body to a particular position. A slider may be present to provide a clinician with a surface to touch when applying force to position the electrical receptacle in the distal position for insertion of the medical lead. Various other features may be present to facilitate insertion of the medical lead and/or to maintain the position of the electrical receptacle relative to the outer body.

Abstract: A temporary implantable medical electrical lead includes a conductor extending along a proximal, extracorporeal length and a distal, subcutaneous length of the lead. Electrically isolated first and second wire filars of the conductor are wound to form an elongate lumen of the lead. First and second electrodes are mounted directly onto the conductor, along the subcutaneous length, and each is directly coupled to the corresponding filar. A fixation member is attached to a tubular member, which is conformed to an outer surface of the conductor so as to only cover the conductor along the subcutaneous length, leaving the outer surface exposed along a portion thereof, adjacent to the extracorporeal length. When the lead is implanted, the fixation member holds the subcutaneous length in a relatively fixed location, and fluid communication exists between the outer surface of the conductor and the lumen of the lead.

Abstract: A medical cable connector of a medical cable receives a medical lead while an electrical receptacle within the medical cable connector is placed into a distal position relative to an outer body of the medical cable connector. The electrical receptacle is retracted to a proximal position once insertion of the medical lead into the medical cable connector is completed. The electrical receptacle may be mounted to an inner body which moves relative to the outer body. A biasing member may be present to bias the inner body to a particular position. A slider may be present to provide a clinician with a surface to touch when applying force to position the electrical receptacle in the distal position for insertion of the medical lead. Various other features may be present to facilitate insertion of the medical lead and/or to maintain the position of the electrical receptacle relative to the outer body.

Abstract: A system for applying an electrical stimulation includes a lead and a stylet slidably disposed within a lumen of the lead body and extending proximally therefrom. The lead includes a plurality of insulated conductor wires electrically isolated from one another and each having a distal segment terminating at distal end, an intermediate segment, and a proximal segment terminating at a proximal end, wherein the distal ends are electrically coupled to a respective one of the stimulating electrodes and the intermediate segments extend proximal the lead body and are characterized as having a non-coiled configuration.

Abstract: A medical cable connector of a medical cable receives a medical lead while an electrical receptacle within the medical cable connector is placed into a distal position relative to an outer body of the medical cable connector. The electrical receptacle is retracted to a proximal position once insertion of the medical lead into the medical cable connector is completed. The electrical receptacle may be mounted to an inner body which moves relative to the outer body. A biasing member may be present to bias the inner body to a particular position. A slider may be present to provide a clinician with a surface to touch when applying force to position the electrical receptacle in the distal position for insertion of the medical lead. Various other features may be present to facilitate insertion of the medical lead and/or to maintain the position of the electrical receptacle relative to the outer body.

Abstract: A fixation component for a medical electrical lead includes a tubular sidewall that has an outer surface from which a plurality of deformable barb-like projections extend, each projection being in proximity to an aperture that extends through the sidewall. The projections are spaced apart from one another along a length of the component, and each extends from a first end, attached to the sidewall, in proximity to an edge of the corresponding aperture, to a second, free end, spaced apart from the outer surface of the sidewall, when the projection is un-deformed. The outer surface of the sidewall preferably includes reduced diameter end portions, to maintain a relatively low profile, when tubing members overlap thereon to secure the component around a body of the medical electrical lead. The body of the lead may include a conductor coil whose outer surface is directly overlaid by the component.

Abstract: An implantable electrical lead for applying stimulation energy to bodily tissue, such as a patient's nervous system, from an external power source. The lead is defined by a distal section, an intermediate section and a proximal section, and includes a lead body, a plurality of insulated wires, and a plurality of connector elements. The lead body includes a plurality of electrodes and an anchoring device. The insulated wires are electrically coupled to the electrodes, respectively. A wire intermediate segment extends proximal the lead body and is characterized as having a non-coiled configuration, terminating at a respective connector element for coupling to an external power source. The wire intermediate segments are extendible through a patient's skin and are sealable relative to the skin. The lead is adapted for providing temporary electrical stimulation to a sacral nerve in a bipolar mode, with the anchoring device inhibiting electrode migration.

Abstract: A lead includes a lead body having at least two electrodes and a lead marker. The lead marker corresponds to a size and spacing of each of the at least two electrodes. The spacing between the electrodes and lead marker corresponds to an operative length of a first lead introducer configured to be used with the lead. Lead systems that include one or more lead introducers and kits including the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lead includes a lead body having at least two electrodes and a lead marker. The lead marker corresponds to a size and spacing of each of the at least two electrodes. The spacing between the electrodes and lead marker corresponds to an operative length of a first lead introducer configured to be used with the lead. Lead systems that include one or more lead introducers and kits including the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to a medical device implantable in a body of a patient. The device includes a housing with a plurality of collapsible fixation structures coupled to the housing, and can be in a collapsed configuration or an expanded configuration. The device assumes a collapsed configuration when in the bore of an insertion device, and assumes the expanded configuration when expelled from the insertion device into the body of the patient. The extended fixation structures engage the tissues in the body and restrict migration. One exemplary application of the invention is in the context of a microstimulator, with a pulse generator housed in the housing and one or more electrodes coupled to the housing. The fixation structures help keep the electrodes proximate to the tissues that are to receive the stimulation.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to a medical device implantable in a body of a patient. The device includes a housing with a plurality of collapsible fixation structures coupled to the housing, and can be in a collapsed configuration or an expanded configuration. The device assumes a collapsed configuration when in the bore of an insertion device, and assumes the expanded configuration when expelled from the insertion device into the body of the patient. The extended fixation structures engage the tissues in the body and restrict migration. One exemplary application of the invention is in the context of a microstimulator, with a pulse generator housed in the housing and one or more electrodes coupled to the housing. The fixation structures help keep the electrodes proximate to the tissues that are to receive the stimulation.

Abstract: A medical lead includes a connector for operably coupling the lead to an active medical device. The connector includes a first tubular conductive contact having a length, a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending through the contact from the proximal end to the distal end. The connector also includes a second tubular conductive contact having a length, a proximal end, and a distal end. The length of the second contact is greater than the length of the first contact. The second contact is disposed in the lumen of the first contact such that the proximal and distal ends of the second contact extend beyond the proximal and distal ends of the first contact. The lead further includes first and second electrodes. The first electrode is operably coupled to the first contact, and the second electrode is operably coupled to the second contact.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an axial lead connector assembly for an implantable medical device (IMD). The lead connector assembly facilitates electrical connection between an implantable medical lead and circuitry contained within the housing of an IMD. A connector header defines an axial stack bore to receive an axial stack of in-line connector components. The connector components define a common lead bore to receive a proximal end of an implantable lead. The in-line stack of connector components may include seals, electrical connector elements, a strain relief, and a locking device, each of which defines a passage that forms part of the lead bore.

Abstract: A fixation component for a medical electrical lead includes a tubular sidewall that has an outer surface from which a plurality of deformable barb-like projections extend, each projection being in proximity to an aperture that extends through the sidewall. The projections are spaced apart from one another along a length of the component, and each extends from a first end, attached to the sidewall, in proximity to an edge of the corresponding aperture, to a second, free end, spaced apart from the outer surface of the sidewall, when the projection is un-deformed. The outer surface of the sidewall preferably includes reduced diameter end portions, to maintain a relatively low profile, when tubing members overlap thereon to secure the component around a body of the medical electrical lead. The body of the lead may include a conductor coil whose outer surface is directly overlaid by the component.

Abstract: A method for forming a lead body includes contacting a proximal section of the lead body having a lumen and a first lead body characteristic to a distal section of the lead body having a lumen and a second lead body characteristic. The proximal and distal sections are contacted such that their lumens are axially aligned. A lap band is disposed about a portion of the proximal section and a portion of the distal section, and is thermally formed to the proximal and distal sections. Axially compressive pressure is applied to the lap band as the lead body is being thermally formed. The pressure applied is sufficient to result in the lead body having an outer diameter in regions proximally and distally adjacent to the lap band that are substantially the same to an outer diameter in a region formed by the lap band.

Abstract: A method for forming a lead body includes contacting a proximal section of the lead body having a lumen and a first lead body characteristic to a distal section of the lead body having a lumen and a second lead body characteristic. The proximal and distal sections are contacted such that their lumens are axially aligned. A lap band is disposed about a portion of the proximal section and a portion of the distal section, and is thermally formed to the proximal and distal sections. Axially compressive pressure is applied to the lap band as the lead body is being thermally formed. The pressure applied is sufficient to result in the lead body having an outer diameter in regions proximally and distally adjacent to the lap band that are substantially the same to an outer diameter in a region formed by the lap band.

Abstract: A temporary implantable medical electrical lead includes a conductor extending along a proximal, extracorporeal length and a distal, subcutaneous length of the lead. Electrically isolated first and second wire filars of the conductor are wound to form an elongate lumen of the lead. First and second electrodes are mounted directly onto the conductor, along the subcutaneous length, and each is directly coupled to the corresponding filar. A fixation member is attached to a tubular member, which is conformed to an outer surface of the conductor so as to only cover the conductor along the subcutaneous length, leaving the outer surface exposed along a portion thereof, adjacent to the extracorporeal length. When the lead is implanted, the fixation member holds the subcutaneous length in a relatively fixed location, and fluid communication exists between the outer surface of the conductor and the lumen of the lead.