Methods for making leads with segmented electrodes for electrical stimulation systems

摘要

One embodiment is a method of making a stimulation lead that includes providing a pre-electrode assembly comprising a plurality of segmented electrodes and a plurality of raised connectors. Each of the segmented electrodes is coupled to at least one other of the segmented electrodes by at least one of the raised connectors. The method further includes forming the pre-electrode assembly into a tube with the tube defining a longitudinal axis. Each of the raised connectors is disposed at a radius with respect to the longitudinal axis that is greater than a radius of any of the segmented electrodes with respect to the longitudinal axis. The method also includes forming at least a portion of a lead body around the segmented electrodes of the pre-electrode assembly; and grinding the tube comprising the pre-electrode assembly and portion of the lead body to remove the plurality of raised connectors leaving the plurality of segmented electrodes and the portion of the lead body.

主权项

1. An assembly for forming a stimulation lead, comprising:
a lead body having a distal end and a proximal end; and a pre-electrode assembly formed in a tube around a portion of the distal end of the lead body and comprising a plurality of segmented electrodes and a plurality of connectors, wherein each of the segmented electrodes is coupled to at least one other of the segmented electrodes by at least one of the connectors and the segmented electrodes and the connectors are formed of conductive material, the tube defining a longitudinal axis, wherein each of the connectors is disposed so that an outer radius of the connector with respect to the longitudinal axis is greater than an outer radius of any of the segmented electrodes with respect to the longitudinal axis.