Abstract: An implantable, substantially isodiametric, low resistance implantable lead having at least one electrode positioned in a stimulation/sensing portion of the lead as well as a method of manufacturing the same. At least the stimulation/sensing portion is unitized through partially surrounding and supporting insulation and conductive element(s) of the stimulation/sensing portion with a fused matrix of material having mechanical properties consistent with a body of the lead.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near the nerve tissue. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.

Abstract: A lead, method of manufacturing same, and system for stimulation is provided. The lead includes an insulative member or layer that masks a portion of the electrode(s) to effectively generate a directional lead that focuses or directs the stimulation to desired location(s). In another embodiment, the lead further includes a marking system to allow a clinician to orient the directional lead, as desired, while the lead is within a body.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a percutaneous stimulation lead for applying electrically stimulation pulses to tissue of the patient comprises: a plurality of electrode assemblies electrically coupled to a plurality of terminals through a plurality of conductors of the stimulation lead, wherein each electrode assembly is disposed in an annular manner around the lead body and each electrode assembly comprises (i) an electrode adapted to deliver electrical stimulation to tissue of a patient, (ii) an interior conductive layer, and (iii) a dielectric layer disposed between the electrode and the interior conductive layer; the electrode and interior conductive layer being capacitively coupled, the dielectric layer further comprising an inductor, the inductor being electrically connected to one of the plurality of conductors through the interior conductive layer, and the inductor being electrically coupled to the electrode.

Abstract: A torque wrench comprising a shaft with a longitudinal axis; wherein the shaft has a lower end and an upper end, the lower end being configured to engage a fastener. A shaft cam is configured to rotate with the shaft around the longitudinal axis. A groove is defined in the shaft cam, the groove comprising a groove upper surface. A ramp is positioned within the groove at a position below the groove upper surface, wherein the ramp comprises a ramp upper surface with a first lower point, a first upper point and a surface extending along a perimeter of the shaft cam between the first lower and first upper points at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The ramp upper surface is configured so that the first lower point is positioned in the direction opposite of the direction of the intended torque with respect to the first upper point. A housing surrounds the shaft and shaft cam.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near the nerve tissue. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a percutaneous stimulation lead for applying electrically stimulation pulses to tissue of the patient comprises: a plurality of electrode assemblies electrically coupled to a plurality of terminals through a plurality of conductors of the stimulation lead, wherein each electrode assembly is disposed in an annular manner around the lead body and each electrode assembly comprises (i) an electrode adapted to deliver electrical stimulation to tissue of a patient, (ii) an interior conductive layer, and (iii) a dielectric layer disposed between the electrode and the interior conductive layer; the electrode and interior conductive layer being capacitively coupled, the dielectric layer further comprising an inductor, the inductor being electrically connected to one of the plurality of conductors through the interior conductive layer, and the inductor being electrically coupled to the electrode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near the nerve tissue. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.

Abstract: An implantable, substantially isodiametric, low resistance implantable lead having at least one electrode positioned in a stimulation/sensing portion of the lead as well as a method of manufacturing the same. At least the stimulation/sensing portion is unitized through partially surrounding and supporting insulation and conductive element(s) of the stimulation/sensing portion with a fused matrix of material having mechanical properties consistent with a body of the lead.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a percutaneous insertion-capable lead, wherein insertion made through a percutaneous insertion structure. For one embodiment of such lead, the electrode-supporting stimulation portion of the lead includes at least one waisted region, relative to a transverse dimension of the lead, to facilitate lead steerability.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near the nerve tissue. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable infusion pump having a refillable infusate reservoir in fluid communication with a delivery site via a flow path. This flow path includes a flow resistance. The infusion pump includes a sensing device(s), positioned relative to the flow path, to provide data regarding a flow rate along the flow path. The infusion pump effects a division of a total flow period into at least a plurality of unit dose periods, each unit dose period effecting delivery of a unit dose of infusate. The cumulative effect of delivering the total number of unit dose periods is the delivery of a desired dose over the total flow period. The present invention permits a reservoir pressure to vary over any portion of total flow period but effects a constant-pressure state over each unit dose cycle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting a paddle style electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the paddle style electrical stimulation lead. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable infusion pump having a refillable infusate reservoir in fluid communication with a delivery site via a flow path. This flow path includes a flow resistance. The infusion pump includes a sensing device(s), positioned relative to the flow path, to provide data regarding a flow rate along the flow path. The infusion pump effects a division of a total flow period into at least a plurality of unit dose periods, each unit dose period effecting delivery of a unit dose of infusate. The cumulative effect of delivering the total number of unit dose periods is the delivery of a desired dose over the total flow period. The present invention permits a reservoir pressure to vary over any portion of total flow period but effects a constant-pressure state over each unit dose cycle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a paddle lead comprises: a plurality of stimulating electrode contacts disposed, the plurality of stimulation electrode contacts being adapted to allow the stimulation paddle to flex transversely about a longitudinal axis; wherein the plurality of stimulation electrode contacts are arranged in at least first, second, and third rows that are disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the paddle; the first and third rows respectively having multiple electrode contacts electrically coupled to different conductors of the lead to enable the multiple electrode contacts of the first and third rows to function in independent cathode states, anode states, or high-impedance states; the second row being disposed between the first and third rows, the second row having multiple electrode contacts each electrically coupled to a common conductor to cause the multiple electrode contacts of the second row to function in a common cathode state, anode state, or high-impedance state.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a dose control module for manipulating the dosage of one or more pharmaceutical solutions emanating from an implantable drug infusion pump. The dose control module has a processor and other circuitry for manipulating flow valves and other dose manipulators. Effluent catheters from one or more implantable drug infusion pumps may be connected to the dose control module. The dose control module may direct the effluent pharmaceutical solution to one or more catheters. These catheters direct the pharmaceutical solutions to treatment locations. The invention is also directed to induction coil valves for use in or with the dose control module. The use of induction coils permits the dose control module to determine valve position and counteract large directional magnetic fields produced by MRIs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method, for fabricating an implantable apparatus for delivering electrical stimulation from a pulse generator, comprises: providing a plurality of conductors, wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors passes through at least one interior passage of a body, wherein the body is formed of a first insulative material having prescribed mechanical properties; coupling at least one terminal to each conductor of the plurality of conductors, the terminals being adapted to receive electrical signals from the pulse generator, wherein adjacent terminals are separated by a second insulative material with prescribed mechanical properties that are consistent with the first insulative material; and over-molding a region of the apparatus containing the terminals with a third insulative material with prescribed mechanical properties that are consistent with the material of the body.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide a header assembly for interfacing a medical device with a lead, wherein the header assembly includes a strain relief portion integral thereto. The strain relief portion may be adapted to facilitate a user visually verifying when a lead has been fully inserted into the header. Structure, such as a band or ring, may be provided upon the strain relief portion in order to provide a readily identifiable visual aid for determining when a lead is fully inserted.

Abstract: An implantable, substantially isodiametric, low resistance implantable lead having at least one electrode positioned in a stimulation/sensing portion of the lead as well as a method of manufacturing the same. At least the stimulation/sensing portion is unitized through partially surrounding and supporting insulation and conductive element(s) of the stimulation/sensing portion with a fused matrix of material having mechanical properties consistent with a body of the lead.