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 optical stimulation lead including a lead body including a distal portion and a proximal portion; an optical fiber disposed within the lead body to emit light from a distal portion of the optical fiber; and at least one flex zone disposed along the distal portion of the lead body. Each flex zone includes an elastomeric structure that is made of a flexible material different from the lead body. Optical stimulation leads can alternatively or additionally include filters or stabilizers. In addition, optical stimulation leads can utilize light sources, such as laser diodes, LEDs, or OLEDs, instead of optical fibers.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation system includes a lead having lead conductors, electrodes, a lead extension having conductors, and terminals. The system includes a connector having a first and second connection elements that each have sealing members and contacts at least partially disposed within the sealing members. The lead and lead extension are coupled to one of the connection elements, respectively, and the contacts are electrically coupled to lead or lead extension conductors. The connection elements electrically couple the lead conductors with the lead extension conductors. Lastly, the connector includes a coupler engageable with the connection elements to urge the respective sealing members together to resist bodily fluid interaction with the conductors and contacts.

Abstract: A connector for an implantable electrical medical device includes an elongated connector body; a connector lumen to receive a lead or lead extension; a non-conductive carrier disposed in the connector body and including at least two rails extending parallel to the connector lumen and pairs of contact holders spaced-apart along the rails; contacts with each contact disposed between one of the pairs of contact holders; and connector conductors coupled to the contacts. Instead of carrier and contacts, the connector can include contact assemblies, each contact assembly including a non-conductive contact carrier defining two nodes, and two contacts, each contact disposed in one of the two nodes, each contact including a coil and a sheath disposed around at least a portion of the coil. Another alternative includes a non-conductive carrier with contact openings; and contacts, where each contact is a rod disposed in one of the contact openings.

Abstract: An example of a system may include a processor subsystem; and a memory device comprising instructions, which when executed by the processor subsystem, cause the processor subsystem to: receive at an application executing on a user device, a request to modify the application; transmit the request to an administrative user device for approval; receive a response to the request from the administrative user device; and modify a functionality of the application in response to receiving the response.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a patient includes a sensor unit having a housing and sensors disposed in or around the housing; and a base having a shell and configured and arranged to be adhesively attached to skin of the patient. The sensors can be used to monitor physical therapy and rehabilitation of the patient. The sensor unit can provide information to a patient or clinician device to facilitate the monitoring. In some instances, the sensor unit and base are magnetically coupled together. In some instances, the base has an opening so a temperature sensor of the sensor unit can be exposed to the skin of the patient.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a joint of a patient includes multiple sensors to be disposed near a joint and to measure or observe actions or physical quantities associated with the joint; and at least one communications module coupled to the sensors to receive data from the sensors and to transmit sensor information to an external device. The system also includes a patient device and clinician device which can be used to, for example, monitor and display information obtained from the sensors, determine range of motion measurements from the sensor data, show progress in physical therapy, take a photograph or video of the site on the patient, obtain a pain score, and include friends for providing encouragement during physical therapy.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a patient includes a sensor unit having a housing and sensors disposed in or around the housing; and a base having a shell and configured and arranged to be adhesively attached to skin of the patient. The sensors can be used to monitor physical therapy and rehabilitation of the patient. The sensor unit can provide information to a patient or clinician device to facilitate the monitoring. The sensor data can be used to determine measurements such as tilt angle of the sensor unit and range of motion measurements (such as extension, flexion, or forces associated with movement) of the anatomical region to which the sensor unit is attached. The sensor data can also be used for automated identification or classification of exercises performed by the patient.

Abstract: A connector for an implantable electrical medical device includes an elongated connector body; a connector lumen to receive a lead or lead extension; a non-conductive carrier disposed in the connector body and including at least two rails extending parallel to the connector lumen and pairs of contact holders spaced-apart along the rails; contacts with each contact disposed between one of the pairs of contact holders; and connector conductors coupled to the contacts. Instead of carrier and contacts, the connector can include contact assemblies, each contact assembly including a non-conductive contact carrier defining two nodes, and two contacts, each contact disposed in one of the two nodes, each contact including a coil and a sheath disposed around at least a portion of the coil. Another alternative includes a non-conductive carrier with contact openings; and contacts, where each contact is a rod disposed in one of the contact openings.

Abstract: An implantable electrical stimulation lead includes a lead body, electrodes disposed along a distal end of the lead body, terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead body, and conductors coupling the terminals to the electrodes. The electrodes include a tip electrode having an electrode body with an outer stimulating surface. An internal lumen is defined in the electrode body and extends inwardly from an opening in a proximal end of the electrode body. Side apertures are formed between the outer stimulating surface and the internal lumen. A portion of the lead body is disposed within the internal lumen and side apertures through the opening in the proximal end of the electrode body. That portion of the lead body facilitates retention of the tip electrode on a distal tip of the lead body.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation system includes an electrical stimulation lead; stimulation circuitry to generate stimulation signals; a substrate with the stimulation circuitry disposed on the substrate and the electrical stimulation lead permanently affixed to at least one of the stimulation circuitry or the substrate or an optional housing; a power source electrically coupled to the stimulation circuitry; and an antenna electrically coupled to the stimulation circuitry to receive at least one of a) power for charging the power source or b) signals for programming the stimulation circuitry.

Abstract: A connector to couple an electrical stimulation lead to a lead extension can include lead terminals and extension connector contacts that interlock with each other. Another connector can include lead terminals and extension connector contacts that form a hook and loop fastener. Yet another connector defines a lumen for receiving a proximal portion of an electrical stimulation lead and a side-loading slit extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal surface of the connector and extending inwardly to the lumen for side-loading the electrical stimulation lead into the lumen through the side-loading slit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a parameter set and programming a neuromodulation system with the parameter set are disclosed. The system includes a user interface having a display screen to display simplified graphical representations (SGRs) of the lead with at least one virtual electrode (VE) that represents one or more electrodes, and control elements. The SGRs of the lead can provide longitudinal and circumferential representations of the VE, respectively representing longitudinal or circumferential position, size, shape, or spread of the VE. The control elements may include longitudinal and circumferential control elements to enable the user to respectively adjust the longitudinal or circumferential position, size, shape, or spread of the VE. The system may generate the neuromodulation parameter set using the longitudinal and circumferential representations of the VE, and program the neuromodulation system with the neuromodulation parameter set.

Abstract: A lead anchor including a body having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end is disclosed. The body defines a lead lumen extending from the first to the second end and can receive a lead. The lead anchor also includes a fastening mechanism disposed in the body and in communication with the lead lumen. The fastening mechanism can fasten the received lead to the lead anchor when actuated by a user. The lead anchor also includes tabs(s) extending from the body and tags. Each tag includes an anchor attachment element and a cylindrical implantation element coupled to the anchor attachment element. The anchor attachment element is affixed to one of the tabs. The cylindrical implantation element anchors the lead anchor into patient tissue by insertion of the implantation element into the patient tissue using a needle insertion tool.

Abstract: A lead with segmented electrodes can be made using one or two mold methods. In one method, segmented electrodes are individually disposed on pins on an interior surface within a mold. Each of the segmented electrodes has at least one opening formed in the exterior surface of the segmented electrode. The lead body is then molded between the electrodes. In a two mold method, segmented electrodes are inserted into electrode slots of a first mold and an interior portion of a lead body is formed. The resulting intermediate arrangement is placed into a second mold to form an exterior portion of the lead body. In another two mold method, a sacrificial ring is formed around the segmented electrodes in a first mold and the resulting intermediate structure is inserted in a second mold to form the lead body. The sacrificial ring is then removed.

Abstract: A burr hole plug includes a first plug base defining a burr hole aperture and including first grooves; a second plug base to be disposed around the first plug base and including second grooves to receive a portion of an electrical stimulation lead; a cover to be disposed on the second plug base; a cap to be disposed over the burr hole aperture and coupled to the first plug base; and an extension coupled to, and extending away from, the cover. The extension includes conductors and the second plug base and the cover include conductive elements to electrically couple the terminals of the electrical stimulation lead, when disposed in the second grooves, to the conductors of the extension. An alternative burr hole plug includes a lead connector disposed on the cap and having a connector aperture to receive the proximal end of the electrical stimulation lead.

Abstract: A connector for an implantable electrical medical device includes an elongated connector body; a connector lumen to receive a lead or lead extension; a non-conductive carrier disposed in the connector body and including at least two rails extending parallel to the connector lumen and pairs of contact holders spaced-apart along the rails; contacts with each contact disposed between one of the pairs of contact holders; and connector conductors coupled to the contacts. Instead of carrier and contacts, the connector can include contact assemblies, each contact assembly including a non-conductive contact carrier defining two nodes, and two contacts, each contact disposed in one of the two nodes, each contact including a coil and a sheath disposed around at least a portion of the coil. Another alternative includes a non-conductive carrier with contact openings; and contacts, where each contact is a rod disposed in one of the contact openings.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation lead includes a lead body having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a longitudinal length; electrodes disposed along the distal end portion of the lead body; terminals disposed along the proximal end portion of the lead body; and conductors electrically coupling the plurality of terminals to the plurality of electrodes. At least one of the electrodes or terminals is a coated contact. Each coated contact includes a conductive substrate and a conductive coating disposed on the substrate.

Abstract: A lead anchor including a body having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end is disclosed. The body defines a lead lumen extending from the first to the second end and can receive a lead. The lead anchor also includes a fastening mechanism disposed in the body and in communication with the lead lumen. The fastening mechanism can fasten the received lead to the lead anchor when actuated by a user. The lead anchor also includes tabs(s) extending from the body and tags. Each tag includes an anchor attachment element and a cylindrical implantation element coupled to the anchor attachment element. The anchor attachment element is affixed to one of the tabs. The cylindrical implantation element anchors the lead anchor into patient tissue by insertion of the implantation element into the patient tissue using a needle insertion tool.

Abstract: A method of making an electrical stimulation lead method includes attaching a pre-electrode to a lead body. The pre-electrode is a single, unitary, undifferentiated construct with a ring-shaped exterior. The method further includes attaching a plurality of conductor wires to the pre-electrode; and, after coupling to the lead body, removing an outer portion of the pre-electrode to separate remaining portions of the pre-electrode into a plurality of segmented electrodes spaced around the circumference of the lead body. When separated, each of the segmented electrodes includes a body and at least one leg extending inwardly from the body. The body defines an external stimulating surface and each of the at least one leg has an outer surface. For at least one of the at least one leg, the outer surface of the leg forms a non-perpendicular angle with the external stimulating surface of the body.