Abstract: Implantable medical leads that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner to facilitate subject body movements and that are bundled to create a branched lead to permit lead body ends on one or both ends of the lead to be movable relative to one another so as to be positionable in different locations. Implantable medical leads advantageously include individual lead portions, sub-bundles, and bundles that are able to be selectively positioned and implanted within a subject body and that are useful, in particular, for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility, extensibility and positionability.

Abstract: Implantable leads implantable in a patient, such as patient's neck. The lead includes a first lead segment and a second lead segment. The second lead segment extends from the first lead segment at a first junction point and includes first, second, and third legs each defining a longitudinal length in extension from the first junction point to a distal end. A length of the first leg is greater than a length of the second leg, and a length of the second leg is greater than a length of the third leg. With this configuration, each of the legs are adapted to support at least one electrode at the distal end thereof, and are appropriately dimensioned relative to one another for locating the corresponding electrode at a desired target tissue site in the patient's neck. Targeted tissue can include, for example, muscles of the neck.

Abstract: Implantable medical leads that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner with a substantially two-dimensional profile to fit between adjacent tissue layers and to facilitate subject body movements. In particular, implantable medical leads able to permit and withstand multiple degree of freedom of movement that are useful for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility and extensibility. Features of medical leads are utilized to permit extensibility and are based upon the provision of shaped features that controllably permit lead extension under low load, but that maintain a desired shape under no load. The shaped lead portions provide extensibility to the lead as the shapes elastically deform under load.

Abstract: Implantable medical leads that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner to facilitate subject body movements, able to permit and withstand multiple degree of freedom of movement that are useful for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility and extensibility. Features of medical leads are utilized to permit extensibility and are based upon the provision of shaped features that controllably permit lead extension under low load, but that maintain a desired shape under no load. The shaped lead portions provide extensibility to the lead as the shapes elastically deform under load. A shaping element, such as an elongate element or a tube defines and holds the lead in the desired shape, which may comprise one or more series of sigmoid shapes as a pattern.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a medical lead comprising a lead body with at least one conductor and an elongate paddle having an electrode array. A first section is formed having a first butt bond by butt bonding an end of a first substantially flat and elongate member to an end a second substantially flat and elongate member. A second section is formed having a second butt bond by butt bonding an end of a third substantially flat and elongate member to an end a fourth substantially flat and elongate member. The first section is laminated to the second section to form the elongate paddle of the medical lead with the first butt bond longitudinally offset from the second butt bond. A medical lead made by exemplary embodiments of the method is also described.

Abstract: Implantable medical lead assemblies of a plurality of leads that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner to facilitate subject body movements and that are bundled to create a branched lead assembly to permit lead ends on one or both ends of the lead assembly to be movable relative to one another so as to be positionable in different locations. In particular, implantable medical lead assemblies advantageously include individual lead portions, lead sub-bundles, and lead bundles that are able to be selectively positioned and implanted within a subject body and that are useful, in particular, for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility, extensibility and positionability.

Abstract: Implantable medical lead assemblies that are customizable and that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner to facilitate subject body movements. In particular, implantable medical lead assemblies in accordance with the present invention advantageously include the ability to be customized by selective and controllable separation of leads from one another, which lead assemblies are also able to permit and withstand multiple degree of freedom that are useful for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility and extensibility.

Abstract: Implantable medical leads that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner to facilitate subject body movements. In particular, implantable medical leads advantageously are able to permit and withstand multiple degree of freedom that are useful for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility and extensibility. Preferably, features of medical leads are utilized to permit extensibility and are based upon the provision of shaped features that controllably permit lead extension under low load, but that maintain a desired shape under no load. The shaped lead portions provide extensibility to the lead as the shapes elastically deform under load. Preferably, a shaping element, such as an elongate element or a tube defines and holds the lead in the desired shape, which most preferably comprises one or more series of sigmoid shapes as a pattern.

Abstract: There is disclosed a surgical lead comprising two percutaneous lead bodies bonded together. The inventive lead body results in the equivalent of a surgical lead body with columns of electrodes either adjacent to or offset from each other. A bridge of urethane material is used to bond together the percutaneous lead bodies and still provide suitable flexibility of the lead. The surface of the electrodes may be coated, in part, with a suitable non-conductive coating to effectively direct the electrical stimulation signals toward the targeted stimulation area. Significantly, the resulting lead is sized to fit within a needle having a similar cross-section, thereby permitting the percutaneous implantation of the inventive lead.

Abstract: An implantable electrical lead having coiled conductors and a method of manufacturing the lead. The method generally comprises: (a) assembling, along an outer surface of inner elongate structure defining an longitudinal axis, at least one elongate conductor and at least one twist ring holding a first portion of the elongate conductor; (b) fixing a second portion of the elongate conductor to the outer surface of the inner elongate structure, the second portion of the elongate conductor being spaced along the length of the elongate conductor; and (c) rotating the twist ring relative to the longitudinal axis of the inner elongate structure to coil the at least one elongate conductor.

Abstract: A pulse stimulation system configured for implantation into a patient's body comprises a pulse stimulator, a conductive stimulation lead having a proximal end electrically coupled to the pulse simulator and having a distal end, and an electrode assembly coupled to the distal end of the stimulation lead. The electrode assembly comprises an electrode body having a therapy electrode thereon that is electrically coupled to the stimulation lead for delivering therapy to the patient. A floating electrode is configured to contact the patient's body tissue and has a surface area substantially larger than that of the therapy electrode. A filter is coupled between the therapy electrode and the floating electrode for diverting RF energy toward the floating electrode and away from the therapy electrode.

Abstract: A neural lead and method of treating neurological disorders by stimulation of the cerebral cortex of the brain is provided. The lead is designed for reduction of strain between the lead body and the lead paddle caused by the position of the lead body above the cranium and the lead paddle beneath the cranium. The lead is also designed to include a two dimensional chronic electrode array for better stimulation coverage of the target area of the cerebral cortex. A method of treating a neurological disorder by stimulating the cerebral cortex is also presented.

Abstract: A neural lead and method of treating neurological disorders by stimulation of the cerebral cortex of the brain is provided. The lead is designed for reduction of strain between the lead body and the lead paddle caused by the position of the lead body above the cranium and the lead paddle beneath the cranium. The lead is also designed to include a two dimensional chronic electrode array for better stimulation coverage of the target area of the cerebral cortex. A method of treating a neurological disorder by stimulating the cerebral cortex is also presented.

Abstract: There is disclosed a surgical lead comprising two percutaneous lead bodies bonded together. The inventive lead body results in the equivalent of a surgical lead body with columns of electrodes either adjacent to or offset from each other. A bridge of urethane material is used to bond together the percutaneous lead bodies and still provide suitable flexibility of the lead. The surface of the electrodes may be coated, in part, with a suitable non-conductive coating to effectively direct the electrical stimulation signals toward the targeted stimulation area.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved apparatus and method for electrical stimulation. A paddle having a thickness up to 0.030 inches is implanted adjacent the spinal cord dura mater to reduce the likelihood of paralysis due to stress on the spinal cord attributed to bulkier leads. The paddle is then positioned so that at least one of a plurality of electrodes is positioned over the area of the spinal cord requiring pain treatment; and then electric stimulation is applied to the electrodes to effect pain treatment.

Abstract: There is disclosed a surgical lead comprising two percutaneous lead bodies bonded together. The inventive lead body results in the equivalent of a surgical lead body with columns of electrodes either adjacent to or offset from each other. A bridge of urethane material is used to bond together the percutaneous lead bodies and still provide suitable flexibility of the lead. The surface of the electrodes may be coated, in part, with a suitable non-conductive coating to effectively direct the electrical stimulation signals toward the targeted stimulation area. Significantly, the resulting lead is sized to fit within a needle having a similar cross-section, thereby permitting the percutaneous implantation of the inventive lead.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for relative movement of electrodes in a medical lead are provided. The apparatus includes first and second electrode nodes and a wire connecting the electrode nodes. The wire includes a deformable sigma segment that allows movement of one or both of the first and second electrode nodes relative to each other. The method includes placing the medical lead adjacent tissue. The method further includes moving one of the electrode nodes relative to the other of the electrode nodes.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead for spinal cord stimulation includes a lead paddle having an array of multiple electrode contacts each coupled to a wire conductor of a lead body. The wire conductor in turn may be coupled to an implantable pulse generator or other stimulation device. The lead paddle with an array of electrode contacts provides more complete electrical stimulation coverage to targeted human tissue because there is no potential for a targeted fiber to pass through the array of electrode contacts without having some potential for correct electrical stimulation by a contact.

Abstract: A needle assembly for introduction of a paddle style lead near a spinal column of a patient includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, a lumen with a continuous oblong cross section, and a paddle style lead adapted to accept a stiffening member. The distal end of the body has an introducer portion where the top side of the introducer has an orifice to allow for protrusion of the paddle style lead from the lumen into the spinal column area. The needle has a hub affixed to the proximal end of the body which is adapted to receive a stylet. The needle may also have a stylet that is inserted within the lumen. The introducer of the needle has a curvature extending from the bottom side toward the top side at the distal end and guides the introduction of the paddle style lead near the spinal column.

Abstract: There is disclosed a medical apparatus for positioning and anchoring a lead to a cranium burr hole. The apparatus comprises generally a sleeve and a plurality of springs positioned within the sleeve. The apparatus may be inserted within a conventional burr hole ring or serve as a stand-alone anchoring device that fits within a burr hole. Once a lead is inserted into the sleeve between the plurality of springs, the springs exert a radial force on the lead body, thereby holding the lead in the desired position. The apparatus may also include a circular disc, defining a slot, mountable within the burr hole ring. The circular disc permits the selective positioning of the lead within the burr hole.