Connection structures for extra-vascular electrode lead body

Abstract

Connection structures on an extra-vascular electrode lead body improve strain relief and strengthen the transition region where electrical conductors carried by the lead body are joined to individual electrodes at the distal end of the lead. The electrodes include structure or mechanisms for externally securing the electrode assembly to a body part. A first connection structure is located on the lead body proximal the electrodes to anchor the lead body to a first anchor location in the body that generally moves in concert with the body part. A second connection structure is located on the lead body proximal to the first connection structure to anchor the lead body to a second anchor location that is at least partially independent of movement of the body part. The first and second anchor location are offset by a distance that is less than a distance between the first and second connection structures to provide strain relief for the electrodes.

1 . An extra-vascular lead for use with an implantable medical device, said lead comprising:
 an elongated flexible lead body having a proximal end and a distal end and two conductors extending therebetween;   a connector disposed on the proximal end of the lead body and adapted to electrically and mechanically attach to the implantable medical device;   at least three electrodes electrically connected to the two conductors at the distal end of the leady body;   a proximal connection structure adapted to anchor the lead body at a proximal location on a patient body structure; and   a distal connection structure adapted to anchor the lead body to a distal location on the patient body structure;   wherein the one conductor is attached to one electrode and the other conductor is attached to the other two electrodes, as part of the distal connection structure.   
   
   
       2 . The extra-vascular electrical lead of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal and distal connection structures are separated by a distance of at least 2.5 cm. 
   
   
       3 . The extra-vascular electrical lead of  claim 1  wherein the distal and proximal connection structures each comprise suture wings that extend laterally from the lead body. 
   
   
       4 . The extra-vascular electrical lead of  claim 1  wherein the lead body has a flexibility sufficient to permit at least one overlapping loop of the lead body to be created between the distal and the proximal anchor locations during implantation of the electrical lead body. 
   
   
       5 . A method comprising:
 connecting a first conductor to a first junction housing;   connecting a first electrode coil to a first junction pin;   connecting a second electrode coil to a first junction pin; and   inserting the first junction pin into the first junction housing.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising wrapping a first wire of the first electrode coil around the first junction pin. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising welding a first wire of the first electrode coil to the first junction pin. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising wrapping a second wire of the second electrode coil around the first wire and the first junction pin. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising welding a second wire of the second electrode coil to the first junction pin. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first junction housing applies pressure to the first junction pin. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein inserting the first junction pin into the first junction housing connects the first electrode coil and the second electrode coil to the first conductor. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein removing the first junction pin from the first junction housing disconnects the first and second electrode coils from the first conductor. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 connecting a second conductor to a second junction housing;   connecting a third electrode coil to a second junction pin; and   inserting the second junction pin into the second junction housing.   
   
   
       14 . An electrode assembly for use with an implantable medical device, the electrode assembly comprising:
 a first electrode coil electrically coupled to a first junction pin;   a second electrode coil electrically coupled to both the first junction pin and the first electrode coil;   the first junction pin extending into it first junction housing; and   a first conductor connected to the first junction housing.   
   
   
       15 . The electrode assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the first electrode coil comprises a first wire that is wrapped around the first junction pin at least two times. 
   
   
       16 . The electrode-assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the first coil is welded to the first junction pin. 
   
   
       17 . The electrode assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a third electrode coil connected to a second junction pin;   the second junction pin extending into a second junction housing; and   a second conductor connected to the second junction housing.   
   
   
       18 . The electrode assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the third electrode coil comprises a third wire that is wrapped around the second junction pin at least two times. 
   
   
       19 . The electrode assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the third coil is welded to the second junction pin. 
   
   
       20 . The electrode assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the first junction housing applies pressure to the first junction pin. 
   
   
       21 . The electrode-assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the second junction housing applies pressure to the second junction pin. 
   
   
       22 . The electrode assembly of  claim 17 , wherein removing the first junction pin from the first junction housing disconnects the first electrode from the first conductor. 
   
   
       23 . The electrode assembly of  claim 17 , wherein removing the second junction pin from the second junction housing disconnects the third electrode from the second conductor. 
   
   
       24 . The electrode assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the first conductor comprises a first coil. 
   
   
       25 . The electrode assembly of  claim 24 , further comprising a first insulator disposed around the first coil. 
   
   
       26 . The electrode assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the second conductor comprises a second coil disposed around the first insulator and the first coil. 
   
   
       27 . The electrode assembly of  claim 26 , further comprising a second insulator disposed around the second coil.