Abstract: An electrical stimulation system includes a lead or lead extension; a control module coupleable to the lead or lead extension; and a continuous conductive RF shield having a first portion extending along at least a portion of the lead and a second portion configured and arranged to form a perimeter band disposed around the housing of the control module. Alternatively, an electrical stimulation lead or lead extension includes a body; first contacts disposed along the distal end portion of the body; second contacts disposed along the proximal end portion of the body; a conductive RF shield disposed over, and extending along, at least a portion of the body; and a non-conductive jacket disposed over the conductive RF shield. The non-conductive jacket defines at least one window which exposes a portion of the conductive RF shield radially beneath the at least one window.

Abstract: A joint sensor system includes: an implantable joint camera assembly; an optional data communication device coupled to the joint camera assembly; a data processing device for collecting joint data; and a display coupled to the data processing device for monitoring the joint interface using the joint camera assembly.

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. In some embodiments, the sensors are implantable near the joint. In other embodiments, the sensors are disposed in a sensor module that is positioned adjacent the skin of the patient near the joint.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation lead or lead extension includes a body having an outer surface, a proximal end, a proximal portion, at least one distal portion, an outer surface, a perimeter, and a longitudinal length, the body defining an alignment slit extending distally from the proximal end of the body and splitting the proximal portion of the body into two transversely space-apart sections; first contacts disposed along the distal portion of the body; segmented second contacts disposed along the proximal portion of the body, where each segmented second contact extends around less than the entire perimeter of the body and is separated from all other segmented second contacts by portions of the body or the alignment slit; and conductors electrically coupling the first contacts to the second contacts.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation lead includes a lead body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length; electrodes disposed along the distal end of the lead body; terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead body; a non-conducting core extending along lead body; and conductors extending along the lead body to electrically couple the electrodes to the terminals. The conductors include a first conductor and a second conductor arranged along the core with a non-conducting gap between the first and the second conductors. Each of the first and the second conductors includes an inner conductor portion with a first electrical resistivity and an outer conductor portion having a second electrical resistivity that is at least twice the first electrical resistivity. The outer conductor portion is disposed exclusively radially outward from the inner conductor portion.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation lead includes a lead body that defines an alignment feature extending distally from a proximal end of the lead body and inwardly from an outer surface of the lead body. The lead also includes electrodes disposed along the distal portion of the lead body, segmented terminals disposed along the proximal portion of the lead and arranged in sets of segmented terminals, and lead conductors electrically coupling the electrodes to the terminals. Each set of segmented terminals includes at least two segmented terminals disposed in a circumferential arrangement at a same longitudinal position of the lead. A system can include the lead and a connector for receiving the proximal end of the lead. The connector can include an alignment protuberance extending into a connector lumen and configured to be received into the alignment groove of the lead to align the lead with the connector.

Abstract: A paddle lead assembly for providing electrical stimulation of patient tissue includes a paddle body; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the paddle body; a plurality of lead bodies coupled to the paddle body; an array of terminals disposed on each of the plurality of lead bodies; and a plurality of conductive wires. Each conductive wire couples one of the electrodes to at least one terminal of at least one of the terminal arrays. The paddle lead assembly further includes an implantation aid configured and arranged to fit over a portion of at least one of the lead bodies to provide additional stiffness proximal to the paddle body for aiding in implantation of the paddle body into a patient.

Abstract: An operating room cable assembly for electrically coupling at least one implantable electrical stimulation lead to a trial stimulator includes an elongated body; a trial stimulator connector disposed at one end of the elongated body; and a lead connector disposed at another end of the elongated body. The lead connector can include one or more buttons that can be pushed to load a lead into the lead connector and released to retain the lead. Alternatively, the lead connector can include a lever that can be operated to load the lead. A further alternative is a slider with a lead engagement element that can be slid between positions allowing loading of a lead and engagement of the lead. Other alternatives include a lead connector with doors that can swing open to allow loading of a lead or a collet/sleeve that can be tightened on the lead.

Abstract: A paddle lead insertion tool includes an insertion tool body having a delivery end portion, a delivery end portion, and a slider slit; a slider partially disposed within the slider slit; extenders coupled to the slider and extending to the delivery end portion to receive a paddle body between or upon the extenders; and a center push piece coupled to the slider and disposed between the extenders to push against a proximal end of the paddle body. The slider moves between an insertion position and a delivery position. The insertion tool extends the extenders and center push piece when the slider moves from the insertion position to the delivery position to extend a paddle body received by the insertion tool. The insertion tool retracts the extenders without retracting the center push piece when the slider moves from the delivery position towards the insertion position.

Abstract: A stimulation lead includes a lead body. Terminals and electrodes are disposed along opposing end portions of the lead body and are electrically-coupled to one another via conductors. The electrodes include segmented electrodes. Each of the segmented electrodes includes a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface, an interior surface opposite the exterior surface, a first side-wall extending radially between the interior surface and the exterior surface from the distal end to the proximal end, and a second side-wall opposite to the first side-wall and extending radially between the interior surface and the exterior surface from the distal end to the proximal end. At least one of the segmented electrodes defines an open cavity that is formed along the first side-wall of the segmented electrode and that facilitates adhesion of the segmented electrode to the lead body.

Abstract: A pre-electrode for a stimulation lead includes a generally cylindrical body having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a proximal end, and a distal end. The body includes multiple segmented electrodes disposed along the body; connecting material disposed along the outer surface of the body and coupling each of the segmented electrodes to one another; and multiple cutouts defined between adjacent segmented electrodes. The body also includes one or more of the following 1) a end wall step section formed in the exterior surface of the body on either the distal end or the proximal end of the body; 2) an alignment feature selected from a slot or a notch extending inwardly from the exterior surface of the body, or 3) a longitudinal step section formed in the exterior surface of the body.

Abstract: An operating room cable assembly for electrically coupling at least one implantable electrical stimulation lead to a trial stimulator includes an elongated body; a trial stimulator connector disposed at one end of the elongated body; and a lead connector disposed at another end of the elongated body. The lead connector includes a connector body, a connector cover, a cover fastener disposed on the connector body, at least one lead channel to each receive a lead or lead extension, conductors coupled to the elongated body to make electrical contact with terminals disposed on the lead or lead extension, and a layer of medical adhesive disposed along a bottom surface of the lead connector. The layer of medical adhesive and the lead connector are configured and arranged for disposition over an exit wound from which the at least one lead or lead extension extends out of a skin of a patient.

Abstract: A stylet for use with an electrical stimulation lead includes a shaft having a proximal end portion and a distal end potion; a handle coupled to the proximal end portion; and at least one protuberance disposed along the proximal end portion of the shaft distal to the handle. The protuberances are configured and arranged for engaging a wall of a lumen of the electrical stimulation lead to hold the stylet in place within the lumen.

Abstract: A paddle lead insertion kit includes a paddle lead and an insertion kit. The paddle lead includes a stylet lumen defined in a paddle body. The insertion tool includes a stylet channel defined along the insertion tool. A stylet is disposed in the stylet channel and transitions between a refracted position and an extended position. When the stylet is in the retracted position, the stylet is disposed completely within the stylet channel. When the stylet is in the extended position, the stylet extends outwardly from the stylet channel and is insertable into the stylet lumen of the paddle lead. A slide assembly is coupled to the stylet and controls transitioning of the stylet between the retracted position and the extended position.

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 with at least one lead body, electrodes disposed along the distal end portion of the lead body(ies), terminals disposed along the proximal end portion of the lead body(ies), and conductors electrically coupling the terminals to the electrodes. The electrical stimulation system also includes a lead extension coupleable to the electrical stimulation lead. The lead extension includes a connector for receiving the proximal end portion of the electrical stimulation lead. The electrical stimulation system further includes a sheath defining a sheath lumen to slidingly receive a portion of the electrical stimulation lead or a portion of the lead extension or a portion of both the electrical stimulation lead and the lead extension. The sheath includes a flexible sheath body and an elongate RF shield disposed within the sheath body and extending along the sheath.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation lead includes at least one lead body having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and an outer surface. Each lead body has a lead jacket. The lead also includes electrodes disposed along the distal end portion of the at least one lead body; terminals disposed along the proximal end portion of the at least one lead body; and conductors extending within the at least one lead body to electrically couple the terminals to the electrodes. The conductors include at least one first conductor and at least one second conductor with the at least one first conductor coiled around the at least one second conductor. The lead further includes a conductive RF shield disposed between at least a portion of the lead jacket and around at least a portion of each of the conductors. A lead extension can be similarly constructed.

Abstract: A pre-electrode for a stimulation lead includes a generally cylindrical body having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a proximal end, and a distal end. The body includes multiple segmented electrodes disposed along the body; connecting material disposed along the outer surface of the body and coupling each of the segmented electrodes to one another; and multiple cutouts defined between adjacent segmented electrodes. The body also includes one or more of the following 1) a end wall step section formed in the exterior surface of the body on either the distal end or the proximal end of the body; 2) an alignment feature selected from a slot or a notch extending inwardly from the exterior surface of the body, or 3) a longitudinal step section formed in the exterior surface of the body.

Abstract: A stimulation lead includes an electrode carrier disposed along a distal portion of a lead body. The electrode carrier defines multiple segmented-electrode-receiving apertures extending between an outer surface and a central lumen. Each of the segmented-electrode-receiving apertures includes a ledge disposed around a perimeter of that segmented-electrode-receiving aperture and inset from the outer surface of the electrode carrier. The stimulation lead also includes multiple segmented electrodes, with each of the segmented electrode disposed in a different one of the segmented-electrode-receiving apertures with an outer stimulation surface exposed through the segmented-electrode-receiving aperture and an inner surface abutting the ledge disposed around the perimeter of that segmented-electrode-receiving aperture. Conductive wires extend along the lead body and couple the segmented electrodes to terminals.

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.