Patent ID: 8721661
Filing Date: 2014-05-13
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. An extensible implantable medical device for providing strain relief to at least a portion of an implantable medical lead, comprising: a body defining a lumen extending through the body, wherein the lumen is configured to receive at least the portion of the implantable medical lead, the body having a non-rectilinearly shaped portion, wherein the non-rectilinearly shaped portion has a first shape spanning a first distance in a relaxed state, wherein the non-rectilinearly shaped portion has a second, more rectilinear, shape spanning a second distance when subjected to a stretching force, the second distance being greater than the first distance, wherein the non-rectilinearly shaped portion returns to the relaxed first shape upon release of the stretching force, wherein the non-rectilinearly shaped portion is configured to assume the first shape when the lead is inserted into the lumen and no load is placed on the lead or the shaped body portion, wherein at least a portion of the body has a radially expandable inner diameter defined by the lumen, wherein the inner diameter of the portion of the body, in a relaxed state, is configured to be less than the outer diameter of the portion of the lead that the lumen is configured to receive, wherein the inner diameter of the portion of the body is configured to be radially expandable to a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the portion of the lead that the lumen is configured to receive to allow insertion of the lead into the lumen, and wherein the inner diameter of the portion of the body is biased towards the relaxed state and is configured to grippingly engage the portion of the lead when the lead is inserted into the lumen.