Abstract: An implantable medical electrical lead includes an electrode assembly in which an electrical junction between a first conductor and an inner surface of a first electrode of the assembly is wedged within a first channel of at least one core member of the assembly, around which the first electrode extends. The at least one core member is formed from an insulating material, and the first channel may be one of a plurality of longitudinally extending channels arrayed around a circumference of a central lumen of the assembly, which is defined by the at least one core member. The first conductor extends along a length of the assembly, for example, defined between the first electrode and a second electrode thereof, in a helical path that travels around the central lumen.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrical lead includes an electrode assembly in which an electrical junction between a first conductor and an inner surface of a first electrode of the assembly is wedged within a first channel of at least one core member of the assembly, around which the first electrode extends. The at least one core member is formed from an insulating material, and the first channel may be one of a plurality of longitudinally extending channels arrayed around a circumference of a central lumen of the assembly, which is defined by the at least one core member. The first conductor extends along a length of the assembly, for example, defined between the first electrode and a second electrode thereof, in a helical path that travels around the central lumen.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrical lead includes an electrode assembly in which an electrical junction between a first conductor and an inner surface of a first electrode of the assembly is wedged within a first channel of at least one core member of the assembly, around which the first electrode extends. The at least one core member is formed from an insulating material, and the first channel may be one of a plurality of longitudinally extending channels arrayed around a circumference of a central lumen of the assembly, which is defined by the at least one core member. The first conductor extends along a length of the assembly, for example, defined between the first electrode and a second electrode thereof, in a helical path that travels around the central lumen.

Abstract: An implantable electrode for electrical stimulation of a body, for example, being a component of an implantable medical electrical lead, is preferably in the form of a coiled conductor wire, wherein the wire is formed by a tantalum (Ta) core directly overlaid with a platinum-iridium (Pt—Ir) cladding. When a maximum thickness of the Pt—Ir cladding defines a cladded zone between an outer, exposed surface of the electrode and the Ta core, a surface of the Ta core encroaches into the cladded zone by no more than approximately 50 micro-inches. The tantalum core may be cold worked to improve surface quality or formed from a sintered and, preferably, grain stabilized tantalum.

Abstract: A medical device lead. The lead includes one or more jacketed conductive elements. The jacket comprises one or more covers. A first cover of polyether ketone (PEEK) is in direct contact with the at least one conductive element. At least one conductive element and a PEEK cover are coiled. The coiled conductive element can substantially retain its original coiled shape.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrical lead includes an electrode assembly in which an electrical junction between a first conductor and an inner surface of a first electrode of the assembly is wedged within a first channel of at least one core member of the assembly, around which the first electrode extends. The at least one core member is formed from an insulating material, and the first channel may be one of a plurality of longitudinally extending channels arrayed around a circumference of a central lumen of the assembly, which is defined by the at least one core member. The first conductor extends along a length of the assembly, for example, defined between the first electrode and a second electrode thereof, in a helical path that travels around the central lumen.

Abstract: A medical device lead. The lead includes one or more jacketed conductive elements. The jacket comprises one or more covers. A first cover of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is in direct contact with the at least one conductive element. The at least one conductive element and the PTFE cover are coiled. The coiled conductive element can substantially retain its original coiled shape.

Abstract: An improved medical electrical lead is disclosed herein. The lead may include a longitudinally extending body having a distal end, a proximal end, a conductive element extending between the distal and proximal ends, and an electrode coupled to the conductive element utilizing a reflow process. The conductive element and electrode may comprise materials that are incompatible.

Abstract: An implantable electrode for electrical stimulation of a body, for example, being a component of an implantable medical electrical lead, is preferably in the form of a coiled conductor wire, wherein the wire is formed by a tantalum (Ta) core directly overlaid with a platinum-iridium (Pt—Ir) cladding. When a maximum thickness of the Pt—Ir cladding defines a cladded zone between an outer, exposed surface of the electrode and the Ta core, a surface of the Ta core encroaches into the cladded zone by no more than approximately 50 micro-inches. The tantalum core may be cold worked to improve surface quality or formed from a sintered and, preferably, grain stabilized tantalum.

Abstract: A coiled continuous conductor wire of an implantable medical electrical lead includes a first, electrode length and a second, insulated length, wherein the insulated length of the wire has a radial cross-section defined by a round profile, while the electrode length of the wire has a radial cross-section defined by a flattened profile, a long axis edge of which defines an outer diameter surface of the electrode length. The radial cross-section profile, along the electrode length of wire, is preferably flattened after an entire length of the wire has been coiled.

Abstract: An improved medical electrical lead is disclosed herein. The lead may include a longitudinally extending body having a distal end, a proximal end, a conductive element extending between the distal and proximal ends, and an electrode coupled to the conductive element utilizing a reflow process. The conductive element and electrode may comprise materials that are incompatible.

Abstract: An implantable electrode for electrical stimulation of a body, for example, being a component of an implantable medical electrical lead, is preferably in the form of a coiled conductor wire, wherein the wire is formed by a tantalum (Ta) core directly overlaid with a platinum-iridium (Pt—Ir) cladding. When a maximum thickness of the Pt—Ir cladding defines a cladded zone between an outer, exposed surface of the electrode and the Ta core, a surface of the Ta core encroaches into the cladded zone by no more than approximately 50 micro-inches. The tantalum core may be cold worked to improve surface quality or formed from a sintered and, preferably, grain stabilized tantalum.

Abstract: A coiled continuous conductor wire of an implantable medical electrical lead includes a first, electrode length and a second, insulated length, wherein the insulated length of the wire has a radial cross-section defined by a round profile, while the electrode length of the wire has a radial cross-section defined by a flattened profile, a long axis edge of which defines an outer diameter surface of the electrode length. The radial cross-section profile, along the electrode length of wire, is preferably flattened after an entire length of the wire has been coiled.

Abstract: An improved medical electrical lead is disclosed herein. The lead may include a longitudinally extending body having a distal end, a proximal end, a conductive element extending between the distal and proximal ends, and an electrode coupled to the conductive element utilizing a reflow process. The conductive element and electrode may comprise materials that are incompatible.

Abstract: A coiled continuous conductor wire of an implantable medical electrical lead includes a first, electrode length and a second, insulated length, wherein the insulated length of the wire has a radial cross-section defined by a round profile, while the electrode length of the wire has a radial cross-section defined by a flattened profile, a long axis edge of which defines an outer diameter surface of the electrode length. The radial cross-section profile, along the electrode length of wire, is preferably flattened after an entire length of the wire has been coiled.

Abstract: An implantable electrode for electrical stimulation of a body, for example, being a component of an implantable medical electrical lead, is preferably in the form of a coiled conductor wire, wherein the wire is formed by a tantalum (Ta) core directly overlaid with a platinum-iridium (Pt—Ir) cladding. When a maximum thickness of the Pt—Ir cladding defines a cladded zone between an outer, exposed surface of the electrode and the Ta core, a surface of the Ta core encroaches into the cladded zone by no more than approximately 50 micro-inches. The tantalum core may be cold worked to improve surface quality or formed from a sintered and, preferably, grain stabilized tantalum.

Abstract: A medical device lead is presented. One embodiment of the claimed invention includes a lead body, a conductor, and a flexible component. The lead body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The conductor is coupled to the lead body. A sleeve is coupled to the distal end of the lead body. The flexible component is coupled to the distal end of the sleeve. The distal end of the flexible component includes an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the proximal end.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a medical device system includes an electrode, a shunted lead circuit, and a self-healing material integrated into the shunted lead circuit. The shunted lead circuit is designed to shunt currents induced by relatively high frequency radiation, such as MRI radiation. The self-healing material has a conductive layer and a dielectric layer, where the dielectric layer includes at least one of an oxide, an organic coating, and a composite.

Abstract: An inner surface of a coupling component sidewall forms first and second portions of a cavity of the coupling component. A conductive coupling between an electrode and a conductor of a medical electrical lead may be formed by inserting a segment of the conductor into the first portion of the cavity, crimping the sidewall of the coupling component around the inserted segment, inserting a segment of the electrode into the second portion of the cavity, and welding an edge of the sidewall to the inserted electrode segment. The edge of the sidewall may define a slot, extending between first and second portions of the cavity, or a hole extending through the sidewall. The electrode may be part of an electrode assembly, mounted around an inner insulation layer of the lead, and the conductor may be part of a conductor assembly extending between inner and outer insulation layers of the lead.

Abstract: The present invention is configured to provide an offset weld and crimp in a coupling component that can be located entirely within a lumen of a lead body. This end is accomplished by providing an asymmetric coupling component is provided with a crimp recess, for example a groove or a bore extending along one side of the component and a thickened portion offset laterally from the groove or bore and having a welding surface displaced laterally from the groove or bore. While the embodiments illustrated herein are those employing a crimping groove, for purposes of understanding the invention it should be understood that a bore may be substituted. In preferred embodiments, the crimp recess is used to receive a stranded or cabled conductor within the lead body and the offset portion is used to attach to one or more filars of an electrode coil by welding thereto.