Method for making implantable medical devices having carbon nanotube-based anti-electrostatic coatings

Abstract

A method of fabricating an implantable medical device having a receptacle adapted to receive a connector assembly attached to a proximal end of an implantable lead. A distal end portion of the implantable lead carries at least one electrode electrically connected with a terminal contact on the connector assembly. The receptacle contains at least one internal insulative sealing surface. An anti-static coating comprising carbon nanotubes is applied to the at least one internal insulative sealing surface.

1 . In a method of fabricating an implantable medical device having a receptacle adapted to receive a connector assembly attached to a proximal end of an implantable lead having a distal end portion carrying at least one electrode electrically connected with a terminal contact on the connector assembly, the receptacle containing at least one internal insulative sealing surface, the step of:
 applying to the at least one internal insulative sealing surface an anti-static coating comprising carbon nanotubes.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the coating comprises a matrix selected from the group consisting of butylene tere phthalate, polyurethane, silicones, polyurethane/silicone copolymers and blends, and polystyrene, the carbon nanotubes being dispersed in said matrix.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the coating comprises a carbon nanotube loading of 0.005% to 4.5%, by weight.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the coating comprises the lowest carbon nanotube loading, by weight, for dissipating accumulated static charges.   
   
   
       5 . A method of fabricating a header for an implantable medical device comprising:
 forming a receptacle within a header of the implantable medical device, the receptacle to receive a coaxial electrical connector assembly attached to a proximal end of an implantable lead, the implantable lead having insulative sealing surfaces alternating with ring terminal contacts;   forming electrical contacts and seals at the receptacle, the electrical contacts of the receptacle establishing electrical connections with the ring terminal contacts of the connector assembly when the connector assembly is inserted into the receptacle, and the seals of the receptacle cooperating with the insulative sealing surfaces of the connector assembly to prevent entry of body fluids into the receptacle; and   applying an anti-static coating comprising carbon nanotubes to the insulative sealing surfaces of the receptacle to prevent accumulation of electrostatic charges or to dissipate accumulation of electrostatic charges.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein:
 the coating comprises a matrix selected from the group consisting of butylene tere phthalate, polyurethane, silicones, polyurethane/silicone copolymers and blends, and polystyrene, the carbon nanotubes being dispersed in said matrix.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein:
 the coating comprises a carbon nanotube loading of 0.005% to 4.5%, by weight.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein:
 the coating comprises the lowest carbon nanotube loading, by weight, for dissipating accumulated static charges.