Patent ID: 7835803
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A lead assembly comprising: a lead body having a plurality of conductor wires embedded therein, wherein the plurality of conductor wires comprises an input/output wire, a ground wire, an anode wire and a cathode wire, wherein the input/output wire, the ground wire, the anode wire and the cathode wire are separate wires; a plurality of electrode contacts at least partially disposed on an outer surface of said lead body; and a plurality of switching networks located within the lead body, each switching network corresponding to and configured to control an operation of one or more of said plurality of electrode contacts, wherein each of said plurality of electrode contacts is connected to at least one of said plurality of switching networks, each of said conductor wires is electrically coupled to each of said switching networks and wherein each of said switching networks comprises: a memory unit coupled to the input/output wire and configured to store one or more unique address codes and one or more stimulation parameters configured to facilitate independent control of each of said electrode contacts, and a switching element configured to selectively switch between coupling a corresponding electrode contact to said anode wire and to said cathode wire in response to signals received at the memory unit from the input/output wire.