Implantable electrical cable and method of making
The present invention is an implantable cable and a process to manufacture said implantable cable. The cable is composed of a biocompatible fluoropolymer, in which biocompatible conductor wires are embedded. The entire cable is heat treated at various stages to ensure the wires are securely embedded. The cable is then undulated to enhance its pliability and flexibility. Further treatment activates the outer surface of the cable, following which it may be encapsulated in silicone.
Latest Patents:
- METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR RNA-GUIDED TREATMENT OF HIV INFECTION
- IRRIGATION TUBING WITH REGULATED FLUID EMISSION
- RESISTIVE MEMORY ELEMENTS ACCESSED BY BIPOLAR JUNCTION TRANSISTORS
- SIDELINK COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS, AND DEVICE AND STORAGE MEDIUM
- SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE HAVING MEMORY DEVICE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME
This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/623,639, which was filed on Jul. 22, 2003.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis present invention relates generally to the field of implantable medical cables and conductor wires, particularly to implantable medical cable for use with various implantable electrical devices such as cochlear implants and other neurostimulation and recording applications, and to a method of fabricating such cables.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe human body is a hostile environment to implanted medical devices and materials, particularly to chronically implanted electrical cables and leads. For example, implantable cardiac cables are typically coupled at their proximal ends with implanted pacemaker and pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator pulse generators. Over the years of implantation, the cables and insulation are subjected to cumulative mechanical stresses that can result in degradation of the insulation or fractures of the lead conductors with untoward effects on device performance and patient well-being.
The traditional tubular insulation is most commonly composed of an elastomeric material such as silicone or polyurethane. The combination of a helically wound conductor with elastomeric outer insulation provides conventional construction with the potential for a substantial amount of elastic deformation in the direction of the length of the lead.
An implantable electrical cable must also be completely biocompatible, in that the exterior of the cable is preferably made of biocompatible materials which are strong and flexible enough that the constant flexure caused by movement of the patient or his organs does not cause the cable to rupture. The exterior of the cable is also preferably smooth to avoid abrasion of surrounding tissue and other discomfort to the patient. The cable is also preferably compliant and supple, to avoid damage to surrounding tissue by being so stiff that it resists movement as the surrounding tissues move. A stiff and inflexible cable would apply a bias force, which would resist movement of the patient, and which would cause discomfort to the patient.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,745 discloses the electrical leads for cardiac stimulators comprising an insulated electrical conductive section and a lead-in securing section including a helical member which may be screwed into the heart muscle.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,141 discloses a bioelectrical stimulus cable in which the insulated electrical lead includes at least one fibril having a coating of rigid insulating, low friction material. A coating of shock dampening elastomeric, insulating material is tightly set about the rigid, insulating, low friction material. In one preferred embodiment, the cable includes a braided sheath encompassing a portion of the cable and increasing the tensile strength of the cable.
Notwithstanding the variety of the implantable cable designs that have been proposed, there is still a desire to improve the mechanical characteristics and the product capability of the implantable electrical cables.
An implantable cable is preferably thin. Cables that have many wires will become stiffer as the numbers of parallel conductors increases. A cable should be readily interconnectable with other devices, that is, having a grouping or arrangement of conductors that are dimensionally controlled and predictably located for reliable fastening to other devices.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an implantable cable which can withstand constant flexure during long term chronic implantation.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an implantable cable which is encased with fluoropolymer such as FEP or PFA
A further object of the present invention is to provide an implantable cable having improved mechanical characteristics and improved manufacturability.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a manufacturing process for an implantable cable which can be manufactured in a simple and reliable way.
These and other objects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the summary of the invention and to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment that follow. It will be appreciated that all of the foregoing objectives may not be satisfied simultaneously by the preferred embodiment or by each of the claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a process to manufacture an implantable cable comprises the steps of: a) establishing a number of grooves on a first fluoropolymer film layer; b) positioning biocompatible wires into said grooves; c) applying heat to confine said wires into said grooves; d) deposing a second fluoropolymer layer; e) encapsulating a resulting structure by applying heat; f) undulating a further resulting structure; g) activating the surface of the fluoropolymer film layer; and h) encapsulating a final structure with silicone.
The first and second fluoropolymer layers are preferably comprised of FEP or PFA. The conductor wire is preferably comprised of Pt or Pt/Ir. The tip portion of the implantable cable may be cut away to establish lead through laser cutting. The conductor wires may have a flat, round, oval or rectangular cross section.
The foregoing was intended as a broad summary only and of only some of the aspects of the invention. It was not intended to define the limits or requirements of the invention. Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and to the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following describes the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for describing the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.
Grooves 4 may be used to locate the conductor wires used to deliver electrical signals.
To increase cable flexibility and pliability, by allowing ready expansion or contraction of the cable, it is preferred that the cable 300 be undulated.
The undulated implantable cable 302 needs additional plasma treatment or sodium treatment to be activated.
After undulating the cable, it is preferred to encapsulate the implantable cable 302 with silicone. Silicone is preferred as it is highly elastic and is therefore capable of being elongated with an elastic recovery to its initial shape.
It will be understood that in general these implantable medical cables have extremely wide application in the medical device field.
Moreover, as described above, it is seen that the implantable cable described herein may be manufactured using low cost technology and simple-to-implement manufacturing techniques for mass production.
Finally, it is seen that the implantable cable of the present invention may be safely and reliably used in various medical devices.
The above descriptions are intended to illustrate the preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention. For example, the process for stripping out the undulated cable can be done in the last stage after encasing the cable with silicone. It will be appreciated that modifications and adaptations to such embodiments may be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention, such scope being most properly defined by reference to this specification as a whole and to the following claims.
Claims
1. An implantable cable comprising:
- a plurality of conductor wires embedded within a fluoropolymer film;
- said fluoropolymer film comprising outer surfaces and at least one tip;
- said fluoropolymer film being overall undulated;
- said fluoropolymer film being removed at a tip of said implantable cable;
2. The implantable cable of claim 1, wherein said fluoropolymer is activated.
3. The implantable cable of claim 1, wherein said fluoropolymer is activated by sodium treatment of said implantable cable.
4. The implantable cable of claim 1, wherein said fluoropolymer is activated by plasma treatment of said implantable cable.
5. The implantable cable of claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein said cable is encased with silicone after activating said fluoropolymer.
6. The implantable cable of claim 1, wherein said biocompatible film is comprised of FEP or PFA.
7. The implantable cable of claim 1, wherein said conductor wires are comprised of Pt or Pt/Ir.
8. The implantable cable of claim 7, wherein said conductor wires have round, oval or rectangular cross sections.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 14, 2004
Publication Date: May 19, 2005
Applicant:
Inventor: Henry Bluger (Victoria)
Application Number: 11/010,370