Method of manufacturing a medical lead

摘要

A method of manufacturing a segmented electrode assembly. An electrically conducting tube is coupled to an electrically insulating material. The tube is generally cylindrical and hollow and defines one or more gaps at a first axial position. The tube also includes one or more bridges located at a second axial position. The method includes removing at least a portion of the bridge resulting in a segmented electrode assembly having at least one segment. A number embodiments of making a tube are also provided. In another embodiment a method of manufacturing a medical lead using a segmented electrode assembly is provided.

主权项

1. A method of manufacturing a medical lead comprising:
making first and second segmented electrode assemblies wherein the first and second segmented electrode assemblies are made by:
coupling an electrically conductive tube to an electrically insulating material, wherein the tube is generally cylindrical and has an imaginary longitudinal axis, wherein the tube defines one or more gaps at a first axial position, and wherein the tube comprises at least a first bridge located at a second axial position; andremoving at least a portion of the first bridge resulting in a first and second segmented electrode assemblies each having at least one segment; placing the first and second segmented electrode assemblies on a conductor assembly comprising at least first and second electrical conductors, wherein the conductor assembly is positioned along the longitudinal axis of the first segmented electrode assembly; electrically coupling the first conductor to a first segment of the first segmented electrode assembly; electrically coupling a second conductor of the conductor assembly to a second segment of the second segmented electrode assembly placing the coupled conductor assembly and first and second segmented electrode assemblies into a mold; and injecting an electrically insulating material into the mold to create a medical lead having a substantially cylindrical shape.