US 12,350,487 B2
Methods for fabricating segmented electrodes
Ted Alfonso, Frisco, TX (US); Steve Wheeler, Duncanville, TX (US); and Jeff Urbanski, Frisco, TX (US)
Assigned to Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc., Plano, TX (US)
Filed by Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc., Plano, TX (US)
Filed on Feb. 16, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/673,157.
Prior Publication US 2023/0256235 A1, Aug. 17, 2023
Int. Cl. B23P 13/00 (2006.01); A61N 1/05 (2006.01); B21D 22/02 (2006.01); B21D 35/00 (2006.01); B23P 11/00 (2006.01); H01R 43/16 (2006.01); A61N 1/36 (2006.01)
CPC A61N 1/05 (2013.01) [B21D 22/025 (2013.01); B21D 35/002 (2013.01); B23P 11/00 (2013.01); B23P 13/00 (2013.01); H01R 43/16 (2013.01); A61N 1/36125 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49222 (2015.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for fabricating a segmented electrode, the method comprising:
performing a series of progressive die stamping operations on a foil sheet of material to form an initial electrode, wherein the initial electrode includes i) a plurality of contact bodies having a first thickness and ii) at least one retaining tab extending axially from each contact body, the at least one retaining tab having a same inner diameter as the plurality of contact bodies and having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness; and
removing portions of the initial electrode using a centerless grinding process to form a segmented electrode including a plurality of circumferentially spaced contacts.