Implantable lead

摘要

A highly flexible implantable lead that offers improved flexibility, fatigue life and fatigue and abrasion resistance improved reliability, effective electrode tissue contact with a small diameter and low risk of tissue damage during extraction. In one embodiment the lead is provided with both defibrillation electrodes and pacing/sensing electrodes. For defibrillation/pacing leads, the lead diameter may be as small as six French or smaller. The construction utilizes helically wound conductors. For leads incorporating multiple separate conductors, many of the helically wound conductors are arranged in a multi-filar relationship. Preferably, each conductor is a length of wire that is uninsulated at about the middle of its length to create an electrode, wherein the conductor is folded in half at about the middle of the length to create first and second length segments that constitute parallel conductors.

主权项

1. An electrode for an implantable lead comprising
a length of a first electrically conductive wire provided with an outer insulating covering, said covered first wire being further provided with a length of a second, uninsulated, electrically conductive wire helically wound tightly around the outer insulating covering of said first wire to form a breach in said outer insulating covering such that said first and second wires are in electrical communication through said breach.