Implantable lead systems for brain stimulation
View Patent ↗Leads and introduction tools are proposed for deep brain stimulation and other applications. Some embodiments of the present invention provide lead designs with which may be placed with a stylet, while others do not require a stylet. Some lead embodiments use standard wire conductors, while others use cable conductors. Several embodiments incorporate microelectrodes and/or microelectrode assemblies. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide introduction tools, such as cannula and/or cannula systems, which ensure proper placement of, e.g., leads.
1. A stimulating lead system comprising:
a body defining a lumen;
a distal tip of the body defining a through-hole;
at least one microelectrode capable of passage within the lumen, and capable of at least partially protruding through the through-hole, wherein the at least one microelectrode comprises an independently slidable microelectrode wire within an independently slidable electrode tube;
at least one electrode positioned distally on the body; and
at least one conductor disposed in the body providing electrical connection to the at least one electrode,
wherein the at least one conductor forms a winding surrounding the lumen.
2. The lead system of claim 1 further comprising a protective tube disposed in the lumen defined by the body.
3. The lead system of claim 2 wherein the protective tube is self-aligning.
4. The lead system of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip comprises an electrode.
5. The lead system of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip comprises an insulating material.
6. A stimulating lead system comprising:
an isodiametric body defining at least one lumen;
a distal tip of the body;
at least one electrode positioned distally on the body;
at least one conductor providing electrical connection to the at least one electrode, wherein the at least one conductor comprises a cable; and a cannula having at least two sections with a splittable mating wall configuration and including a first end and a second end, wherein the cannula comprises a macroelectrode attached to the second end of the cannula.
7. The lead system of claim 6 , wherein the distal tip comprises an electrode.
8. The lead system of claim 6 , wherein the distal tip comprises an insulating material.
9. The lead system of claim 6 , wherein the cannula includes at least one handle at the first end.
10. A stimulating lead system comprising:
a body defining at least one lumen;
a distal tip of the body;
at least one electrode located on the body, proximal to the tip;
at least one conductor providing electrical connection to the at least one electrode; and
a cannula configured and arranged to receive the body, the cannula having a first end and a second end, wherein the cannula comprises
at least two sections with a splittable mating wall configuration, and
a macroelectrode attached to the cannula;
wherein the body further comprises a stability feature proximal to the at least one electrode and further comprises a stability feature distal to the at least one electrode, the stability feature being formed of a non-linear portion of the body;
wherein the lumen allows passage of at least a stylet used to straighten the body during insertion of the lead.
11. The lead system of claim 10 , wherein the distal tip comprises an electrode.
12. The lead system of claim 10 , wherein the distal tip comprises an insulating material.
13. The lead system of claim 10 , wherein the cannula includes at least one handle at the first end.
14. The lead system of claim 13 , wherein the mating wall configuration includes a perforated interface from the first end toward the second end.
15. A stimulating lead system comprising:
a lead body defining a first lumen;
a cannula defining a second lumen, said cannula including a first end and a second end;
a distal tip of the lead body defining a through-hole;
at least one electrode positioned distally on the lead body;
at least one conductor disposed in the lead body providing electrical connection to the at least one electrode; and at least one microelectrode capable of passage within the first lumen, and capable of at least partially protruding through the through-hole;
wherein the at least one conductor forms a winding surrounding the first lumen, and
wherein the through-hole and first lumen allow passage of at least a microelectrode, and
wherein the lead body is adapted to be insertable through the second lumen of the cannula, and
wherein the cannula includes at least two splittable sections having a perforated interface from the first end toward the second end.
16. The lead system of claim 15 , wherein the at least one microelectrode comprises an independently slidable microelectrode wire within an independently slidable electrode tube.
17. The lead system of claim 15 further comprising a protective tube disposed in the first lumen defined by the body.
18. The lead system of claim 17 wherein the protective tube is self-aligning.
19. The lead system of claim 15 , wherein the distal tip comprises an electrode.
20. The lead system of claim 15 , wherein the distal tip comprises an insulating material.
21. The lead system of claim 15 , wherein the cannula includes a macroelectrode attached to the second end of the cannula.
22. The lead system of claim 21 , wherein the cannula includes at least one handle at the first end.