Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: A trocar assembly can include a cannula, a seal cartridge, and an obturator. The seal cartridge is configured to be releasably coupled to the cannula and to be disposed at least partially within the cannula in a coupled configuration of the seal cartridge. The obturator is configured to directly latch to the cannula and to extends through the cannula and the seal cartridge in a coupled configuration of the obturator.

Abstract: A first medical device for obstructive sleep apnea therapy includes therapy delivery circuitry coupled to a first set of electrodes implantable proximate to a first hypoglossal nerve within a tongue of the patient and configured to deliver a first electrical stimulation signal to the first hypoglossal nerve that causes the tongue of the patient to advance and includes information to communicate to a second medical device implantable within the head or neck of the patient and coupled to a second set of electrodes implantable proximate to a second hypoglossal nerve within the tongue of the patient; and sensing circuitry coupled to the first set of electrodes and configured to receive a second electrical stimulation signal, delivered to the second hypoglossal nerve by the second medical device, that includes information that the second medical device communicates to the first medical device.

Abstract: A lead assembly includes a central lead member having a distal portion configured to extend along a longitudinal axis. The lead assembly also includes two or more side lead members disposed around the central lead member. Each side lead member includes a deploying portion extending at an angle away from the longitudinal axis. Each deploying portion has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is laterally spaced from the central lead member and extends more parallel to the longitudinal axis than the proximal portion. The lead assembly also includes one or more electrodes attached to the distal portion of the deploying portion of each side lead member. The lead assembly optionally includes a cannula comprising a lumen, an end portion, and a buckler disposed in the lumen on the end portion for deploying the lead members.

Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are disclosed for delivering electric field therapy to tissue of a subject. In one example, a technique includes removing a tumor from tissue to create a resection cavity, implanting a plurality of leads into the tissue adjacent to the resection cavity, and affixing the plurality of leads at least one of the tissue or bone. The example technique also includes tunneling proximal ends of the leads to an implantation pocket and coupling the proximal ends of the leads to an implantable medical device configured to be placed within the implantation pocket, wherein the implantable medical is configured to deliver electric field therapy via the plurality of implantable leads disposed adjacent to the resection cavity.

Abstract: Seals used within lead bores of implantable medical devices for creating a seal to implantable medical leads inserted into the lead bores include a cylinder that engages the lead body. The length of contact of the cylinder to the lead body is at least 0.010? long while average contact pressure is no greater than (10 pounds per inch)/(contact length). Adequate electrical isolation is achieved, even when a debris particle is present between the inner cylinder and the lead body while insertion force remains acceptable.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to programming implantable stimulators to deliver stimulation energy via one or more implantable leads having complex electrode array geometries. The disclosure also contemplates guided programming to select electrode combinations and parameter values to support efficacy. The techniques may be applied to a programming interface associated with a clinician programmer, a patient programmer, or both. A user interface permits a user to view electrodes from different perspectives relative to the lead. For example, the user interface provides a side view of a lead and a cross-sectional view of the lead. The user interface may include an axial control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different axial positions along the length of a lead, and a rotational control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different angular positions around a circumference of the lead.

Abstract: A medical device system for delivering a neuromodulation therapy includes a delivery tool for deploying an implantable medical device at a neuromodulation therapy site. The implantable medical device includes a housing, an electronic circuit within the housing, and an electrical lead comprising a lead body extending between a proximal end coupled to the housing and a distal end extending away from the housing and at least one electrode carried by the lead body. The delivery tool includes a first cavity for receiving the housing and a second cavity for receiving the lead. The first cavity and the second cavity are in direct communication for receiving and deploying the housing and the lead coupled to the housing concomitantly as a single unit.

Abstract: A method of forming a medical device lead connection element is described. The method includes positioning an end portion of a lead filar to overlap a lead end connection element such that the positioning creates mutual interference between the lead filar and the lead end connection element, and forming an interference configuration. Then melting the end portion of the lead filar to form a weld joint and allowint the end portion of the lead filar to move towards the end connection element.

Abstract: A first medical device for obstructive sleep apnea therapy includes therapy delivery circuitry coupled to a first set of electrodes implantable proximate to a first hypoglossal nerve within a tongue of the patient and configured to deliver a first electrical stimulation signal to the first hypoglossal nerve that causes the tongue of the patient to advance and includes information to communicate to a second medical device implantable within the head or neck of the patient and coupled to a second set of electrodes implantable proximate to a second hypoglossal nerve within the tongue of the patient; and sensing circuitry coupled to the first set of electrodes and configured to receive a second electrical stimulation signal, delivered to the second hypoglossal nerve by the second medical device, that includes information that the second medical device communicates to the first medical device.

Abstract: Conductors within an implantable medical lead that carry stimulation signal signals are at least partially embedded within a lead body of the medical lead over at least a portion of the length of the conductors while being surrounded by a radio frequency (RF) shield. A space between the shield and the conductors is filled by the presence of the lead body material such that body fluids that infiltrate the lead over time cannot pool in the space between the shield and the conductors. The dielectric properties of the lead body are retained and the capacitive coupling between the shield and the conductors continues to be inhibited such that current induced on the shield is inhibited from being channeled onto the conductors. Heating at the electrodes of the medical lead is prevented from becoming excessive.

Abstract: In some examples, the disclosure relates to a medical device such as an implantable medical lead. The medical lead may include: a lead body including an electrically conductive lead wire; an electrical contact on a proximal portion of the lead body, the electrical contact including a contact substrate; and an electrode on a distal portion of the lead body, the electrode including an electrode substrate, wherein the electrode substrate is electrically coupled to the contact substrate via the electrically conductive lead wire, wherein the lead wire is formed of a composition comprising titanium or titanium alloys, wherein the electrode substrate is formed of a first beta-titanium alloy, and wherein the contact substrate is formed of a second beta-titanium alloy.

Abstract: A lead assembly includes a central lead member having a distal portion configured to extend along a longitudinal axis. The lead assembly also includes two or more side lead members disposed around the central lead member. Each side lead member includes a deploying portion extending at an angle away from the longitudinal axis. Each deploying portion has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is laterally spaced from the central lead member and extends more parallel to the longitudinal axis than the proximal portion. The lead assembly also includes one or more electrodes attached to the distal portion of the deploying portion of each side lead member. The lead assembly optionally includes a cannula comprising a lumen, an end portion, and a buckler disposed in the lumen on the end portion for deploying the lead members.

Abstract: Seals used within lead bores of implantable medical devices for creating a seal to implantable medical leads inserted into the lead bores include an inner cylinder that engages the lead body. The inner cylinder is surrounded by a gap to either an outer cylinder of the seal or to surrounding structures of the implantable medical device. The inner cylinder has freedom of movement within the gap such that movement of the lead body that is off-axis relative to a centerline of the lead bore causes movement of the inner cylinder that is providing the seal. In this manner, the seal engagement to the lead body is maintained during this off-axis movement of the lead body.

Abstract: A shield located within an implantable medical lead may be terminated in various ways. The shield may be terminated by butt, scarf, lap, or other joints between insulation layers surrounding the lead and an insulation extension. For lap joints, a portion of an outer insulation layer may be removed and a replacement outer insulation layer is positioned in place of the removed outer insulation layer, where the replacement layer extends beyond an inner insulation layer and the shield. The replacement layer may also lap onto a portion of the insulation extension. The barbs may be located between the replacement layer and the inner insulation layer or the insulation extension. The shield wires have ends at the termination point that may be folded over individually or may be capped with a ring located within one of the insulation layers of the jacket.

Abstract: A lead assembly includes a central lead member having a distal portion configured to extend along a longitudinal axis. The lead assembly also includes two or more side lead members disposed around the central lead member. Each side lead member includes a deploying portion extending at an angle away from the longitudinal axis. Each deploying portion has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is laterally spaced from the central lead member and extends more parallel to the longitudinal axis than the proximal portion. The lead assembly also includes one or more electrodes attached to the distal portion of the deploying portion of each side lead member. The lead assembly optionally includes a cannula comprising a lumen, an end portion, and a buckler disposed in the lumen on the end portion for deploying the lead members.

Abstract: A shield located within an implantable medical lead may be terminated in various ways at a metal connector. The shield may be terminated by various joints including butt, scarf, lap, or other joints between insulation layers surrounding the lead and an insulation extension. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection to a single metal connector. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection by passing between an overlapping pair of inner and outer metal connectors. The metal connectors may include features such as teeth or threads that penetrate the insulation layers of the lead. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection by exiting a jacket of a lead adjacent to a metal connector and lapping onto the metal connector.

Abstract: Radiopaque markers represent that a lead is suitable for a particular medical procedure such as a magnetic resonance image scan and are added to the lead or related device. The markers may be added after implantation of the lead in various ways including suturing, gluing, crimping, or clamping a radiopaque tag to the lead or to the device. The markers may be added by placing a radiopaque coil about the lead, and the radiopaque coil may radially contract against the lead to obtain a fixed position. The markers may be added by placing a polymer structure onto the lead where the polymer structure includes a radiopaque marker within it. The polymer structure may include a cylindrical aperture that contracts against the lead to fix the position of the polymer structure. The polymer structure may form a lead anchor that includes suture wings that can be sutured to the lead.