Abstract: An epidural space is cleared of fat and scar tissue in preparation for implantation of a medical lead by utilizing a clearing tool. The clearing tool has a flexible body that allows the clearing tool to deflect when entering the epidural space through a window in the vertebral bone and ligaments. The clearing tool is guided into the epidural space and to a target site by a guidewire present in the epidural space. Upon removal of the guidewire and clearing tool, the medical lead is inserted through the window and cleared epidural space until reaching the target site. The clearing tool may include a distal tip with a shape and size that aids in the clearing of the epidural space. The distal tip may be integral to the clearing tool or may be removable so as to allow for different sizes of the distal tip to be installed as needed.

Abstract: An epidural space is cleared of fat and scar tissue in preparation for implantation of a medical lead by utilizing a clearing tool. The clearing tool has an outer body and an inner body present within a lumen of the outer body. The outer body may be malleable and have a pre-set deflection or may be flexible and achieve deflection when being inserted into the epidural space. Once in the epidural space, the inner body is extended distally from the lumen of the outer body such that a distal tip on the inner body extends further into the epidural space to provide clearing to the target site without requiring further ingress of the outer body. The inner body is retracted and the clearing tool is removed. The medical lead is then inserted through the window and cleared epidural space until reaching the target site.

Abstract: A medical lead includes a main body having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a longitudinal axis parallel to the length, and a proximal portion adjacent to the proximal end and a distal portion adjacent to the distal end; a plurality of electrodes defining an electrode region; and an imaging marker positioned between the electrode region and the proximal end and separated from the electrode region by a distance in an axial direction. The imaging marker may include one or more marker segments. The imaging marker may be disposed in a pocket of a sleeve at least partially surrounding the main body and comprising one or more pockets for receiving the imaging marker. The medical lead may be operatively connected to an implantable medical device.

Abstract: An epidural space is cleared of fat and scar tissue in preparation for implantation of a medical lead by utilizing a clearing tool. The clearing tool has a flexible body that allows the clearing tool to deflect when entering the epidural space through a window in the vertebral bone and ligaments. The clearing tool is guided into the epidural space and to a target site by a guidewire present in the epidural space. Upon removal of the guidewire and clearing tool, the medical lead is inserted through the window and cleared epidural space until reaching the target site. The clearing tool may include a distal tip with a shape and size that aids in the clearing of the epidural space. The distal tip may be integral to the clearing tool or may be removable so as to allow for different sizes of the distal tip to be installed as needed.

Abstract: A connector assembly, for example, employed in an extension of an implantable medical electrical system, may be contained in a flexible insulative sleeve so that a bore thereof extends along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve with an opening being formed by a distal terminal end of the sleeve. The assembly includes a plurality of isolation ring components interspersed among a plurality of contact ring components, wherein each of a plurality of conductor components has a first end coupled to a corresponding contact ring component, and a curvature formed along a length thereof, which length extends proximally from the coupled first end and into a proximal portion of the sleeve. To facilitate routing of the conductor component lengths, either each isolation ring component may include at least one guide, or a flexible inner insulative sleeve of the assembly may have longitudinally extending channels formed in an outer surface thereof.

Abstract: An insulative body of a medical electrical lead electrode assembly includes a pre-formed channel having a section extending at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the body. An electrode portion of a conductive component has an electrode contact surface facing outward from a first side of the body and a coupling portion embedded in the body. A conductor, which is coupled to the coupling portion of the component, is disposed in the channel.

Abstract: A medical lead system includes a lead body, a plurality of electrical conductors, and a plurality of electrodes. The lead body may include a distal end and a proximal end defining a longitudinal axis of the lead body. The plurality of electrical conductors extending about the longitudinal axis of the lead body. The plurality of electrodes is positioned around an outer perimeter of the lead body. An inner surface of each of the plurality of electrodes defines an inner perimeter. Each respective electrode of the plurality of electrodes is electrically coupled to a respective electrical conductor of the plurality of electrical conductors. Each electrode of the plurality of electrodes includes at least one electrode locking feature extending into the lead body from the inner perimeter.

Abstract: An assembly for forming a medical lead includes a lead body, a plurality of electrical conductors extending about a longitudinal axis of the lead body, and at least one segmented electrode preform that includes an electrically conductive ring and an insulator portion within the electrically conductive ring. The electrically conductive ring includes a plurality of electrode portions and a plurality of raised portions that alternate continuously around the ring. Each of the plurality of electrode portions is continuous at a radius from a center of the electrically conductive ring that corresponds to an outer perimeter of the medical lead. The insulator portion has a plurality of projections each extending into a respective raised portion of the ring beyond a radius that corresponds to the outer perimeter of the medical lead. Each respective electrode portion is electrically coupled to a respective electrical conductor of the plurality of electrical conductors.

Abstract: A connector assembly, for example, employed in an extension of an implantable medical electrical system, may be contained in a flexible insulative sleeve so that a bore thereof extends along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve with an opening being formed by a distal terminal end of the sleeve. The assembly includes a plurality of isolation ring components interspersed among a plurality of contact ring components, wherein each of a plurality of conductor components has a first end coupled to a corresponding contact ring component, and a curvature formed along a length thereof, which length extends proximally from the coupled first end and into a proximal portion of the sleeve. To facilitate routing of the conductor component lengths, either each isolation ring component may include at least one guide, or a flexible inner insulative sleeve of the assembly may have longitudinally extending channels formed in an outer surface thereof.

Abstract: An epidural space is cleared of fat and scar tissue in preparation for implantation of a medical lead by utilizing a clearing tool. The clearing tool has multiple links that allow the creation of a deflection angle. A wire passes through the links and once the links are positioned with the desired deflection angle, tension is placed on the wire to lock the links into the current position. The clearing tool is inserted through a window into the epidural space, and once the tension is applied to the wire, the clearing tool becomes rigid to allow advancement of the clearing tool within the epidural space. The clearing tool is then removed from the epidural space, and the medical lead is inserted through the window and cleared epidural space until reaching the target site.

Abstract: A lead insertion tool includes a first leg having a first rail element pivotally coupled to the first leg distal end and a second leg having a second rail element pivotally coupled to the second leg distal end. The first rail element and the second rail element are configured to receive a lead. Medical kits and methods of using the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: An insulative body of a medical electrical lead electrode assembly includes a pre-formed channel having a section extending at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the body. An electrode portion of a conductive component has an electrode contact surface facing outward from a first side of the body and a coupling portion embedded in the body. A conductor, which is coupled to the coupling portion of the component, is disposed in the channel.

Abstract: A spinal construct comprises a pliable lead. A longitudinal member is flexible relative to the lead. The longitudinal member extends between a first end connected to the lead and a second end defining an opening configured for movement of the lead therethrough and disposal of the longitudinal member such that the longitudinal member is disposed about spinal tissue. Systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An epidural space is cleared of fat and scar tissue in preparation for implantation of a medical lead by utilizing a clearing tool. The clearing tool has a flexible body that allows the clearing tool to deflect when entering the epidural space through a window in the vertebral bone and ligaments. The clearing tool is guided into the epidural space and to a target site by a guidewire present in the epidural space. Upon removal of the guidewire and clearing tool, the medical lead is inserted through the window and cleared epidural space until reaching the target site. The clearing tool may include a distal tip with a shape and size that aids in the clearing of the epidural space. The distal tip may be integral to the clearing tool or may be removable so as to allow for different sizes of the distal tip to be installed as needed.

Abstract: An epidural space is cleared of fat and scar tissue in preparation for implantation of a medical lead by utilizing a clearing tool. The clearing tool has a flexible body that allows the clearing tool to deflect when entering the epidural space through a window in the vertebral bone and ligaments. The clearing tool is guided into the epidural space and to a target site by a guidewire present in the epidural space. Upon removal of the guidewire and clearing tool, the medical lead is inserted through the window and cleared epidural space until reaching the target site. The clearing tool may include a distal tip with a shape and size that aids in the clearing of the epidural space. The distal tip may be integral to the clearing tool or may be removable so as to allow for different sizes of the distal tip to be installed as needed.

Abstract: An insulative body of a medical electrical lead electrode assembly includes a pre-formed channel having a section extending at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the body. An electrode portion of a conductive component has an electrode contact surface facing outward from a first side of the body and a coupling portion embedded in the body. A conductor, which is coupled to the coupling portion of the component, is disposed in the channel.

Abstract: An insulative body of a medical electrical lead electrode assembly includes a pre-formed channel having a section extending at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the body. An electrode portion of a conductive component has an electrode contact surface facing outward from a first side of the body and a coupling portion embedded in the body. A conductor, which is coupled to the coupling portion of the component, is disposed in the channel.

Abstract: A spinal construct comprises a pliable lead. A longitudinal member is flexible relative to the lead. The longitudinal member extends between a first end connected to the lead and a second end defining an opening configured for movement of the lead therethrough and disposal of the longitudinal member such that the longitudinal member is disposed about spinal tissue. Systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A spinal construct comprises a pliable lead. A longitudinal member is flexible relative to the lead. The longitudinal member extends between a first end connected to the lead and a second end defining an opening configured for movement of the lead therethrough and disposal of the longitudinal member such that the longitudinal member is disposed about spinal tissue. Systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An insulative body of a medical electrical lead electrode assembly includes a pre-formed channel having a section extending at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the body. An electrode portion of a conductive component has an electrode contact surface facing outward from a first side of the body and a coupling portion embedded in the body. A conductor, which is coupled to the coupling portion of the component, is disposed in the channel.