Implantable medical electrical stimulation lead, such as pne lead, and method of use

Abstract

An implantable medical electrode lead for stimulation of bodily tissue. The lead is adapted for use with a needle lumen diameter of not greater than 0.05 inch, and includes a lead body and a tine assembly. The lead body has a distal section forming at least one exposed electrode surface. The tine assembly includes a plurality of tines each having a base end coupled to an exterior of the lead body immediately adjacent the exposed electrode surface and a free end that is movable relative to the lead body to inhibit axial migration of the lead body upon implantation into a patient. In one embodiment, the lead body is a PNE lead and provides two electrode surfaces for bipolar operation.

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         34 . An implantable medical electrode lead for applying electrical stimulation to bodily tissue of a patient, the lead comprising:
 a lead body having a proximal section adapted to be electronically coupled to a power source and a distal section forming at least one exposed electrode surface; and   a first tine assembly associated with the lead body and including a plurality of tines each having a base end and a free end, wherein the base end of at least one of the tines is coupled to an exterior of the lead body immediately adjacent the exposed electrode surface such that the free end is movable relative to the lead body;   wherein the tine assembly is adapted to inhibit axial migration of the lead body, and   wherein the lead is adapted to be introduced through, and released into, bodily tissue via a needle having a needle lumen defining an inner diameter of not greater than 0.05 inch.   
     
     
         35 . The implantable lead of  claim 34 , wherein the exposed electrode surface defines a proximal end and a distal end, the at least one tine being coupled to the lead body immediately adjacent the proximal end. 
     
     
         36 . The implantable lead of  claim 34 , wherein the exposed electrode surface defines a proximal end and a distal end, the at least one tine being coupled to the lead body immediately adjacent the distal end. 
     
     
         37 . The implantable lead of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one tine is coupled to the lead body distal the exposed electrode surface. 
     
     
         38 . The implantable lead of  claim 34 , wherein the distal section forms a plurality of longitudinally spaced exposed electrode surfaces, and further wherein the first tine assembly is coupled to the lead body longitudinally between two of the exposed electrode surfaces. 
     
     
         39 . The implantable lead of  claim 34 , further comprising:
 a second tine assembly coupled to the lead body and longitudinally spaced from the first tine assembly in a proximal direction.   
     
     
         40 . The implantable lead of  claim 34 , wherein the tine assembly is formed of a non-conductive material. 
     
     
         41 . The implantable lead of  claim 34 , wherein the tine assembly further includes a band interconnecting the tines, and further wherein the band is bonded to the lead body. 
     
     
         42 . The implantable lead of  claim 34 , wherein the tine assembly is assembled to the lead body such that in a natural state, the free end of each of the tines extends generally proximally relative to the corresponding base end. 
     
     
         43 . The implantable lead of  claim 34 , wherein each of the tines are highly pliable. 
     
     
         44 . The implantable lead of  claim 34 , wherein the tine assembly is configured such that in a natural state, extension of each of the tines relative to a central axis of the lead body defines an angle of not more than 15°. 
     
     
         45 . The implantable lead of  claim 34 , wherein the lead body includes a wire wound to form a first coil defining an internal passage and a non-conductive material disposed over at least a portion of the coil to define a covered region and an uncovered region, and further wherein the exposed electrode surface is defined by the uncovered region. 
     
     
         46 . The implantable lead of  claim 45 , wherein the lead body further includes a second wire wound to form a second coil, the first and second coils being co-axially wound to one another with a distal end of the second coil terminating proximal a distal end of the first coil, and further wherein the second coil forms a second exposed electrode surface proximal the exposed electrode surface formed by the first coil such that the lead body is capable of bipolar operation.