Medical lead and method for medical lead manufacture

Abstract

The present invention provides a medical lead for implantation within a patient. The medical lead has a seem-less lead body having one or more electrodes secured to the distal end and one or more connector bands attached to the proximal end of the lead.

1 .- 2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . A method of forming a medical lead, the method comprising: 
 forming a welding region within insulating material in a lead body of the medical lead to expose a conductor;    forming a conductive pad within the welding region by melting conductive material at a point over the welding region to form the conductive pad and electrically connecting the conductive pad to the conductor; and    electrically connecting an electrode to the conductive pad.    
   
   
       4 . A method in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the welding region is formed using a laser.  
   
   
       5 . A method in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the conductive material comprises a conductive metal selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, MB35N, Pt—Ir, platinum, silver, gold, copper and vanadium.  
   
   
       6 . A method in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the welding region is in the shape of a groove.  
   
   
       7 . A method in accordance with  claim 3  further comprising: 
 welding the electrode to the conductive pad.    
   
   
       8 . A method in accordance with  claim 3  wherein forming the conductive pad further comprises melting and welding the conductive pad to the conductor using a laser.  
   
   
       9 . A method in accordance with  claim 3  wherein forming the conductive pad further comprises; 
 placing a length of wire over the welding region; and    melting the wire at a point such that ends of the wire are drawn into the welding region to form the conductive pad.    
   
   
       10 . A method of forming a medical lead, the method comprising: 
 forming a first welding region within insulating material in a lead body of the medical lead to expose a conductor;    forming a second welding region within the insulating material in the lead body of the medical lead to expose the conductor;    forming a first conductive pad within the first welding region by melting a first conductive material at a point over the first welding region to form the first conductive pad and electrically connecting the first conductive pad to the conductor;    forming a second conductive pad within the second welding region by melting a second conductive material at a point over the second welding region to form the second conductive pad and electrically connecting the second conductive pad to the conductor; and    electrically connecting an electrode to the first conductive pad and the second conductive pad.    
   
   
       11 . A method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the first and second welding regions are formed using a laser.  
   
   
       12 . A method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the first and second conductive material each comprise a conductive metal selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, MB35N, Pt—Ir, platinum, silver, gold, copper and vanadium.  
   
   
       13 . A method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the first and second welding regions are in the shape of a groove.  
   
   
       14 . A method in accordance with  claim 10  further comprising: 
 welding the electrode to the first conductive pad; and    welding the electrode to the second conductive pad.    
   
   
       15 . A method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein forming the first conductive pad further comprises melting and welding the first conductive pad to the conductor using a laser, and forming the second conductive pad further comprises melting and welding the second conductive pad to the conductor using a laser.  
   
   
       16 . A method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein forming the first conductive pad further comprises, 
 placing a length of first wire over the first welding region; and    melting the first wire at a point such that ends of the first wire are drawn into the first welding region to form the first conductive pad; and    wherein forming the second conductive pad further comprises,    placing a length of second wire over the second welding region; and    melting the second wire at a point such that ends of the second wire are drawn into the second welding region to form the second conductive pad    
   
   
       17 . A method of forming a medical lead, the method comprising: 
 forming a welding region within insulating material in a lead body of the medical lead to expose a conductor;    forming, using a laser, a conductive pad within the welding region by melting wire conductive material within the welding region to form the conductive pad thereby welding the conductive pad to the conductor; and    welding an electrode to the conductive pad.    
   
   
       18 . A method in accordance with  claim 17  wherein the welding region is formed using a laser.  
   
   
       19 . A method in accordance with  claim 17  wherein the conductive material comprises a conductive metal selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, MB35N, Pt—Ir, platinum, silver, gold, copper and vanadium.  
   
   
       20 . A method in accordance with  claim 17  wherein forming the conductive pad further comprises; 
 placing a length of wire over the welding region; and    melting the wire at a point such that ends of the wire are drawn into the welding region to form the conductive pad.