Patent ID: 7970480
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: A61B,A61N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A medical lead for delivering electrical stimulation to tissue of a patient, the medical lead comprising: a lead body for conducting electrical pulses through a plurality of conductors; a paddle for delivering the electrical pulses from the plurality of conductors to tissue of the patient, wherein (i) the paddle comprises a metal layer laminated to at least one insulative layer; (ii) the metal layer comprises a plurality of electrically isolated features defined by gaps in the metal layer; (iii) each feature formed by a continuous planar strip of conductive material extending from a proximal end of the paddle with a portion of the respective continuous planar strip exposed through insulative material of the paddle forming an electrode of the paddle; (iv) the electrodes of the features are organized in a first longitudinal portion and a second longitudinal portion of the metal layer; and (v) the metal layer comprises a plurality of guide structures for distributing force from a distal end of the paddle into a body of the paddle; and a support structure that is mechanically coupled to the paddle and to the lead body, wherein the support structure comprises a recess for directing folding of the first portion; wherein the guide structures cause the first longitudinal portion to have a different amount of rigidity than the second longitudinal portion such that contact of a distal end of the paddle with a lumen of an insertion tool causes the first portion to fold over the second portion and causes the first portion to unfold, upon exit from the lumen, in a substantially lateral manner relative to a plane in which the paddle is disposed.