Implantable medical leads and systems that utilize reflection points to control induced radio frequency energy

摘要

Implantable medical leads and systems that include lead utilize reflection points within the lead to control radio frequency current that has been induced onto one or more filars within the lead. The radio frequency current may be controlled by the reflection points to block at least some of the radio frequency current from reaching an electrode of the lead and to dissipate at least some of the radio frequency current as heat on the filar. Controlling the radio frequency current thereby reduces the amount that is dissipated into bodily tissue through one or more electrodes of the lead and reduces the likelihood of tissue damage. The reflection points may be created by physical changes such as to material or size in the filar and/or in insulation layers that may be present such as an inner jacket about the filar and an outer jacket formed by the body of the lead.

主权项

1. An implantable medical lead, comprising:
an outer jacket; a filar being located within the outer jacket, the filar including physical changes with each instance of the physical change being separated from an adjacent instance of the physical change by a section having a normal physical condition where the physical changes establish multiple radio frequency reflection points located along the length of the filar; a proximal contact; and a distal electrode, the filar interconnecting the proximal contact to the distal electrode.