Adaptive conductive lead systems
The invention describes fluid-based lead systems. The fluid-based leads may be used for sensing from, and stimulating of, human tissue. The fluid-based leads can be used to transfer signals between two locations. The fluid-based leads offer advantages when communicating signals along their length since the leads may be safely used in magnetic environments and offer increased elastic characteristics which are less prone to breakage. The leads can be used externally or with implantable devices, such as those used to monitor, and deliver therapy during the treatment of medical disorders such as cardiac and neurological disorders.
1. A lead for communicating electrical signals, comprising:
a. a sheath having an electrically conductive fluidic composition contained therein;
b. an electroconductive proximal lead connector;
c. an electroconductive distal lead connector;
d. at least a first compartment and a second compartment being defined by at least one spacer formed within said sheath, said first and second compartments electrically connected together, containing said electrically conductive fluidic composition and positioned serially within the sheath, said compartments configured for operating jointly to provide serial electrical communication between the proximal and distal lead connectors.
2. The lead of claim 1 , wherein said at least one spacer is electrically conductive, said spacer residing between the at least one first compartment and second compartment.
3. The lead of claim 1 , wherein said at least one spacer contains a gap which allows a conductive fluid to flow through the at least first and second compartments.
4. The lead of claim 1 wherein at least one compartment is pressurized.
5. The lead of claim 1 further including at least a third compartment and a fourth compartment positioned in substantial alignment each with respect to the other within the sheath, said compartments configured for operating jointly to provide at least a second serial electrical communication between an electrode contact and the proximal lead connector.
6. A lead for communicating electrical signals, comprising:
a. a sheath;
b. an electroconductive proximal lead connector;
c. an electroconductive distal lead connector;
e. a conductive mixture contained within at least one compartment of said sheath for providing electrical communication between the proximal and distal lead connector and for approximately conforming to the shapes which the sheath can assume; and,
f. at least one support structure mounted substantially perpendicular to an axis line of said sheath, said support structure defining a plurality of support elements for modulating deformation of the sheath.
7. The lead of claim 6 wherein at least one of the proximal lead connector and the distal lead connector is configured for connection to a conventional lead, whereby the lead acts as an elastic terminal member.
8. The lead of claim 6 wherein the sheath is modulated to provide an electrical resistance of said sheath to be less than 20% above the electrical resistance of said sheath when taken with respect to said sheath being devoid of kinking, twisting, or being in a collapsed state.
9. The lead of claim 6 wherein said support structure is an endoskeletal support structure located within the sheath.
10. The lead of claim 9 wherein the endoskeletal support is a spacer which contains a gap, said gap permitting flow of the conductive mixture along the length of the sheath.
11. The lead of claim 9 wherein the endoskeletal support transverses approximately the entire length of the sheath.
12. The lead of claim 9 wherein the at least one compartment for providing electrical communication between the proximal and distal lead connectors is configured to provide at least 2 channels along which electrical signals may travel and is also configured to provide redundant transmission of a single electrical signal being sent from the distal lead connector to the proximal lead connector, and said distal lead connector is configured with at least 2 electrically isolated contacts.
13. The lead of claim 9 wherein the at least one compartment for providing electrical communication between the proximal and distal lead connectors configured to provide isolated and independent transmission of at least two electrical signals between the distal lead connector and the proximal lead connector, and said distal lead connector is configured with at least 2 electrically isolated contacts.
14. The lead of claim 6 wherein said support structure is an exoskeletal support structure that resides primarily outside the sheath.
15. The lead of claim 6 wherein the conductive mixture is a fluid conductive element that is at least one of: a saline based fluid; a fluid containing electroconductive particles; a fluid containing metallic particles; a fluid containing nano-engineered particles.
16. The lead of claim 6 in which the conductive mixture is a fluid conductive element which is configured to be safe for use in MRI environments and the lead is further configured for attachment to an MRI safe implantable device.