IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,901,613
Granted Patent B2
US 7,901,613 · App. 12/652,185 · Granted Mar 8, 2011

Vacuum mandrel for use in fabricating an implantable electrode

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,901,613
App. No.
12/652,185
Granted
Mar 8, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vacuum mandrel for use in fabricating an implantable electrode comprises a hollow body member and a first groove provided radially on an outer surface of the hollow body member. The first groove is adapted to receive an implantable electrode and retain the electrode in place with a vacuum pressure during an elastomeric encapsulation of the electrode. The vacuum mandrel further comprises a vacuum port provided in the first groove.

Claims (17)

1. A method of making an electrode, comprising:

providing a mandrel comprising a first groove in an outer surface thereof, a vacuum port in said first groove, and at least one longitudinal groove formed at one end of said first groove,

providing an electrode coupled to an end of a lead;

positioning said electrode in said first groove over said vacuum port;

retaining said electrode in said first groove through vacuum pressure applied through said vacuum port; and

applying an elastomer over said conductive electrode and to said at least one longitudinal groove while said electrode is retained in said first groove.

2. A method of making an electrode, comprising:

positioning an electrode in a raised surface of a first groove in an outer surface of a mandrel, said first groove comprising a vacuum port;

retaining said electrode in said first groove through vacuum pressure applied through said vacuum port; and

applying an elastomer over said conductive electrode while said electrode is retained in said first groove.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the mandrel comprises providing a pair of second longitudinal grooves formed at opposing ends of said first groove.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the mandrel comprises providing a raised surface in the first groove on which the vacuum port is provided.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first groove comprises a spiral groove.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein a portion of the first groove has a different cross-section shape than another portion of the first groove.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein applying the elastomer comprises applying the elastomer to at least one longitudinal groove provided at an end of the first groove.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein the first groove comprises a spiral groove.

9. The method of claim 2 wherein a portion of the first groove has a different cross-section shape than another portion of the first groove.