Patent ID: 8515556
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. An implantable medical electrical lead that includes a central longitudinal axis, an elongate conductor, an electrode coupled to the conductor and a layer of silicone insulation extending directly around, and along a length of the elongate conductor to electrically isolate the conductor, the layer of silicone having an overall length, an outer surface and a thickness, between the outer surface and the conductor, of no more than approximately 0.008 inch, wherein the lead comprises: a plurality of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene multi-filament fibers, the plurality comprising a first fiber and a second fiber, each of the plurality of fibers being embedded in the layer of silicone insulation, between the outer surface and the conductor, and each of the plurality of fibers including approximately 25 monofilaments and having a titer of approximately 25 dtex; and wherein the first multi-filament fiber extends helically around the central longitudinal axis of the lead and along the overall length of the layer of silicone insulation at an approximately constant radial distance from the central longitudinal axis; the second multi-filament fiber extends linearly along the overall length of the layer of silicone insulation at the same approximately constant radial distance from the central longitudinal axis, such that the second fiber crosses over or under and directly adjacent to the first fiber at a plurality of points, which are spaced apart from one another along the overall length of the layer of silicone insulation; and at each crossing point of the first and second multi-filament fibers, a coincident cross-section of each of the first and second fibers is compressed in a radial direction.