Collapsible/expandable tubular electrode leads

Abstract

A medical lead and method of treating a patient are provided. The medical lead comprises an electrically insulative tubular membrane, a resilient spring element associated with the insulative membrane, and at least one electrode associated with the insulative membrane. The medical lead is configured to be collapsed into a compact form for percutaneous delivery into the patient, thereby obviating the need to perform an invasive surgical procedure on the patient. The body formed by these elements, when expanded, can be sized to fit within the epidural space of a patient. The patient can be treated by placing the medical lead into a collapsed state by applying a compressive force to the medical lead, percutaneously delivering the collapsed medical lead into the patient adjacent tissue to be treated, and placing the medical lead into an expanded state by releasing the compressive force.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A medical lead, comprising:
 an electrically insulative membrane having a first stiffness;   a resilient skeletal spring layer associated with the insulative membrane, wherein the spring layer wraps around onto itself and has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness; and   at least one electrode associated with the insulative membrane.   
     
     
         8 . The medical lead of  claim 7 , wherein the insulative membrane is flaccid. 
     
     
         9 . The medical lead of  claim 7 , wherein the insulative membrane is tube-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The medical lead of  claim 7 , wherein the spring layer is configured to urge the insulative membrane into a curviplanar geometry. 
     
     
         11 . The medical lead of  claim 7 , wherein the insulative membrane has two opposing surfaces, the spring layer is associated with one of the two surfaces, and the at least one electrode is associated with the other of the two surfaces. 
     
     
         12 . The medical lead of  claim 7 , wherein the insulative membrane has two opposing surfaces, and the spring layer and the at least electrode are associated with the same one of the two surfaces. 
     
     
         13 . The medical lead of  claim 7 , wherein the insulative membrane has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the spring layer is associated with the outer surface of the insulative membrane. 
     
     
         14 . The medical lead of  claim 7 , wherein the insulative membrane has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the spring layer is associated with the inner surface of the insulative membrane. 
     
     
         15 . The medical lead of  claim 7 , wherein the insulative membrane, spring layer, and at least one electrode form a body that is configured to inhibit tissue growth. 
     
     
         16 . The medical lead of  claim 7 , wherein the insulative membrane, spring layer, and at least one electrode form a body that is configured to be collapsed into a compact form for percutaneous delivery into a patient. 
     
     
         17 . The medical lead of  claim 7 , wherein the insulative membrane, spring layer, and at least one electrode form an expanded body that is sized to fit within the epidural space of a patient. 
     
     
         18 . The medical lead of  claim 7 , wherein the insulative membrane insulative membrane has a normally non-cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         19 . The medical lead of  claim 7 , wherein the spring layer is a discrete element. 
     
     
         20 . The medical lead of  claim 7 , wherein the spring layer is a mesh or braid. 
     
     
         21 . The medical lead of  claim 7 , wherein the spring layer is configured to expand the insulative membrane. 
     
     
         22 . A method of treating a patient, comprising:
 placing the medical lead of  claim 7  into a collapsed state by applying a compressive force to the medical lead;   percutaneously delivering the collapsed medical lead into the patient adjacent tissue to be treated; and   placing the medical lead into an expanded state by releasing the compressive force, whereby the resilient spring layer facilitates expansion of the medical lead.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising stimulating the tissue with the medical lead. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the tissue is spinal cord tissue.