Abstract: An improved lead body for implantable leads comprising a longitudinally extending core section provided with longitudinally extending grooves in which conductors are located and an outer tubular member, encasing the core and conductors.

Abstract: A medical lead anchor anchors a medical lead relative to the epidural space of the spinal cord, intrathecal space, or peripheral nerve of a patient. The lead anchor comprises a sleeve having a plurality of eyelets and a passage through the sleeve. The anchor further comprises a locking device defining a collet, a collet driver and a handle. The locking device has a lead passage. The collet driver is sized to fit the passage in the sleeve and has a spiral slot to operatively engage a pin on the sleeve located in the sleeve passage. The sleeve and attached locking device are slid over the lead. The sleeve is sutured to tissue located near the location where the lead enters the epidural space. The collet and collet driver of the locking device are moved along the passage of the sleeve with the spiral slot of the collet driver operatively engaging the pin.

Abstract: A lead for providing electrical stimulation signals to the spinal cord and method of use thereof. The lead is implanted in the epidural space and includes an elongate lead paddle located at the distal end of the lead. An array of electrodes is located on the lead paddle. The array has at least three columns of electrodes and includes a column having at least one electrode positioned substantially over the midline of the lead paddle, a column of at least one electrode positioned laterally of the midline on one side thereof and a column of at least one electrode positioned laterally of the midline one the other side thereof. At least one of the columns within the array has more than one electrode. Each of the electrodes is interconnected by a conductor to a respective terminal at the proximal end of the lead. The lead is implanted such that the midline of the of the lead paddle is positioned over the midline of the spinal cord.

Abstract: A connector for establishing an external connection with multiple-conductor implantable leads. The connector body is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a unique twist lock design. The cylindrical connector body has two sections which rotate axially with respect to one another, from an `open` position to a `closed` position. Each of the sections has a longitudinal slot therein extending along its surface parallel to the cylindrical axis of the connector. In the `open` position, the slots in the respective sections are in alignment, forming a single longitudinal opening. The opening is keyed to accept an elongated end piece from a lead stylet, the end piece being attached to the end of the implantable electrode. The end piece supports the end of the lead such that the multiple, spaced apart electrical contacts disposed on the lead are exposed on at least one side.

Abstract: Particular non-metallic materials are detected by a recognition of the way in which their electrical properties vary with the frequency of an applied alternating electric field. In one method a body being tested is subjected to electromagnetic radiation at each of a plurality of different frequencies, the pattern of variation of the body's reflectivity is evaluated and compared with stored information on the conductivity/frequency characteristic of the non-metallic material to be deleted. In another method a body being tested is subjected to a burst of electromagnetic energy and a measurement is made of the time taken for the body to retransmit energy absorbed from the burst.

Abstract: A connection system for joining a medical electrical stimulator to its electrical stimulus delivery system features a first member having a row of more than two contact surfaces each spaced apart a given distance from the adjacent contact surfaces, and a second member having at least the same number of contacts in a row each spaced from the adjacent contact surface by a multiple of the spacing between the contact surfaces of the first member and each being connected to one of two electrical conductors so that electrical connections between the contact surfaces are varied as the two connector members are relatively moved along the rows.

Abstract: Electrical lead wire connection to a tape electrode is disclosed. Such electrodes are used for transmitting electrical signals through skin. The tape electrode includes a porous substrate material carrying a conductive layer comprised of finely divided silver metal suspended in a "dry" adhesive. An electrical lead wire is connected to the conductive layer of the tape electrode by a flat cover member having the same conductive layer on both sides thereof as is carried by the substrate of the tape electrode. One of the conductive layers of the cover member secures the lead wire to the conductive layer of the tape electrode. The other conductive layer of the cover member intimately contacts the skin along with the conductive layer of the tape electrode to provide for good electrical contact therewith when the tape electrode is applied thereto. The adhesive is normally "dry" and is activated at the time of application by a suitable solvent.