Systems and methods for enhancing paddle lead placement

摘要

A paddle lead assembly for providing electrical stimulation of patient tissue includes a paddle body; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the paddle body; a plurality of lead bodies coupled to the paddle body; an array of terminals disposed on each of the plurality of lead bodies; and a plurality of conductive wires. Each conductive wire couples one of the electrodes to at least one terminal of at least one of the terminal arrays. The paddle lead assembly further includes an implantation aid configured and arranged to fit over a portion of at least one of the lead bodies to provide additional stiffness proximal to the paddle body for aiding in implantation of the paddle body into a patient.

主权项

1. A paddle lead assembly for providing electrical stimulation of patient tissue, the paddle lead assembly comprising:
a paddle body; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the paddle body; a plurality of lead bodies coupled to the paddle body; an array of terminals disposed on each of the plurality of lead bodies; a plurality of conductive wires, each conductive wire coupling one of the electrodes to at least one terminal of at least one of the terminal arrays; and an implantation aid disposed on a portion of at least two of the lead bodies proximate to the paddle body to provide additional stiffness proximal to the paddle body for aiding in implantation of the paddle body into a patient, wherein the implantation aid is removable from the at least two of the lead bodies and the paddle body, wherein a material of the implantation aid has a higher durometer than a material of the paddle body, wherein the implantation aid defines a plurality of lumens, each lumen configured and arranged for fitting over a portion of one of the lead bodies.