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: 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: 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 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: 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 one suture element is defined by the exterior member and is configured and arranged for receiving a suture to suture the lead anchor to patient tissue.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation lead includes a cog-shaped conductor guide disposed either at the proximal end or the distal end of the lead. The cog-shaped conductor guide includes a central core and multiple protrusions extending outwards from the core. Conductor tracks are defined within the cog-shaped conductor guide between adjacent protrusions. Electrodes are provided along the distal end of the lead, terminals are provided along the proximal end of the lead, and conductors couple the electrodes to the terminals. An elongated lead body extends from the electrodes to the terminals of the lead. Each of the conductors has an end portion positioned within one of the conductor tracks of the cog-shaped conductor guide.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a device for brain stimulation includes forming a lead body having a distal end section and coupling at least one pre-electrode to the distal end section of the lead body. The pre-electrode defines a divider with a plurality of partitioning arms, and has a plurality of fixing lumens. A portion of the pre-electrode aligned with the portioning arms is removed to divide the pre-electrode into a plurality of segmented electrodes. Each of the plurality of segmented electrodes defines at least one of the plurality of fixing lumens at least partially disposed through the segmented electrode. A material is introduced through the at least one fixing lumen to couple the plurality of segmented electrodes to the lead body.

Abstract: A stimulation lead extends from a proximal end to a distal end and includes a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end of the lead; a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead; and an elongated body separating the plurality of electrodes from the plurality of terminals. The elongated body includes an outer tube of insulative material, and a cog-shaped conductor guide disposed within the outer tube. The conductor guide includes a central core and a plurality of protrusions extending outward from the central core. The plurality of protrusions and the outer tube define a plurality of pocket regions. The stimulation further includes a plurality of conductors disposed within the plurality of pocket regions, each conductor coupling at least one of the plurality of electrodes to at least one of the plurality of terminals.

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: 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 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 insertion-needle assembly configured for receiving an electrical stimulation lead, and a splittable member that defines a lumen configured for receiving a portion of the insertion-needle assembly. The splittable member includes at least two pull-apart tabs disposed on a proximal hub of the splittable member and at least one splittable region extending along at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the splittable member from between the pull-apart tabs. The at least one splittable region is configured for separating when the pull-apart tabs are pulled apart from one another in directions approximately orthogonal to the splittable member.

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: A lead introducer includes a multi-piece insertion needle insertable into a splitable member. The multi-piece insertion needle includes an outer insertion needle that defines an open channel that extends along substantially entirely a length of the outer insertion needle and an inner insertion needle configured and arranged for insertion into the open channel of the outer insertion needle. The splitable member includes at least two pull-apart tabs and at least one weakened region extending along at least a portion of a length of the splitable member from between the at least two pull-apart tabs. The at least one weakened region is configured and arranged for separating when the at least two pull-apart tabs are pulled apart.

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 had 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 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 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.