Patent ID: 11938316
Assignee: ADVANCED NEUROMODULATION SYSTEMS, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A method of locating a paddle lead in an epidural space of a patient, the method comprising:
inserting a delivery tool into a tool receptacle of the paddle lead, a lead body of the paddle lead being elongated between a distal end and a proximal end, a central axis extending along a length of the lead body, the lead body including opposite first and second sides that extend between the distal and proximal ends, the lead body including longitudinal edges that extend along the length of the lead body in a common direction as the central axis;
wherein the lead body comprises a flexible material that is configured to flex when a fluid pressure in the epidural space is imposed on the second side of the lead body by a spinal fluid, the lead body configured to form a non-planar contour that folds or curves about the central axis to maintain the first side against a dural membrane in response to the fluid pressure imposed on the second side, wherein the lead body Is to flex and conform to the dural membrane when the second side of the lead body experiences a designated amount of the fluid pressure between 5 cmH20 and 20 cmH20;
electrodes disposed along the first side of the lead body and configured to apply a neurostimulation therapy within the epidural space, the electrodes being electrically coupled to conductive pathways that extend through the proximal end of the lead body, wherein the first side is configured to engage the dural membrane and the second side is configured to be exposed to the spinal fluid;
an edge structure provided along the longitudinal edges of the lead body, the edge structure made of a material that is more rigid than the flexible material forming the lead body, wherein the edge structure includes a rigid dielectric material that extends along the longitudinal edges for at least a portion of the length, the dielectric material to electrically insulate the electrodes along the longitudinal edges of the lead body when applying the neurostimulation therapy;
directing the paddle lead to a designated location in the epidural space at which the first side of the lead body is maintained against the dural membrane in response to the fluid pressure imposed on the second side; and removing the delivery tool from the tool receptacle.