US 12,329,978 B2
Implantable medical leads and lead extensions having an encapsulation band
Adam J. Rivard, Blaine, MN (US); Mary Bengtson, Ham Lake, MN (US); Stephen L. Bolea, Watertown, MN (US); Justin M. Claus, Fridley, MN (US); Ryan R. Davis, Plymouth, MN (US); Scott M. Hanson, Savage, MN (US); and Sean P. Skubitz, Forest Lake, MN (US)
Assigned to Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed by MEDTRONIC, INC., Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed on May 16, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/744,780.
Application 17/744,780 is a continuation of application No. 16/396,389, filed on Apr. 26, 2019, granted, now 11,331,502.
Prior Publication US 2022/0273955 A1, Sep. 1, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61N 1/375 (2006.01); A61L 31/10 (2006.01); A61N 1/05 (2006.01); A61N 1/08 (2006.01); A61N 1/36 (2006.01)
CPC A61N 1/3752 (2013.01) [A61L 31/10 (2013.01); A61N 1/0529 (2013.01); A61N 1/08 (2013.01); A61N 1/0551 (2013.01); A61N 1/36125 (2013.01); A61N 1/3758 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An implantable medical apparatus, comprising:
a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, the lead body defining a lumen;
a proximal contact on the lead body in proximity to the proximal end;
a distal element coupled to the lead body in proximity to the distal end;
a conductor electrically coupled to the proximal contact and the distal element, the conductor extending through the lumen;
a stiffening element present within the lumen; and
a non-conductive band present within the lumen and surrounding the stiffening element, the nonconductive band encapsulating a portion of the conductor and being bonded to the stiffening element.
 
13. An implantable medical system, comprising:
an implantable medical device;
an implantable medical apparatus coupled to the implantable medical device, the implantable medical apparatus comprising:
a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, the lead body defining a lumen;
a proximal contact on the lead body in proximity to the proximal end;
a distal element coupled to the lead body in proximity to the distal end;
a conductor electrically coupled to the proximal contact and the distal element, the conductor extending through the lumen;
a stiffening element present within the lumen; and
a non-conductive band present within the lumen and surrounding the stiffening element, the nonconductive band encapsulating a portion of the conductor and being bonded to the stiffening element.
 
23. A method of constructing an implantable medical apparatus, comprising:
placing a stiffening element near a proximal end of a conductor;
placing a non-conductive band about the stiffening element and a portion of the conductor;
reflowing the non-conductive band to encapsulate the portion of the conductor and to bond to the stiffening element;
surrounding the conductor, the stiffening element, and the conductor with a lead body;
attaching a proximal contact in proximity to a proximal end of the lead body and electrically connecting the proximal contact to the conductor; and
coupling a distal element to the distal end of the lead body and electrically connecting the distal element to the conductor.