Leads with segmented electrodes for electrical stimulation of planar regions and methods of making and using

Abstract

One embodiment is a stimulation lead that includes a lead body having a longitudinal surface, a distal end, and a proximal end; and multiple electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead body near the distal end of the lead body. The electrodes include multiple groups of segmented electrodes with each group of segmented electrodes having multiple segmented electrodes disposed at a same longitudinal position along the lead. For at least one first group of segmented electrodes, a first pair of the segmented electrodes in the first group are disposed on opposite sides of the lead body and are electrically ganged together by a conductor therebetween.

1 . A stimulation lead, comprising:
 a lead body comprising a longitudinal surface, a distal end, and a proximal end; and   a plurality of electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead body near the distal end of the lead body, the plurality of electrodes comprising a plurality of groups of segmented electrodes, each group of segmented electrodes comprising a plurality of segmented electrodes disposed at a same longitudinal position along the lead, wherein, for at least one first group of the plurality of groups of segmented electrodes, a first pair of the segmented electrodes in the first group are disposed on opposite sides of the lead body and are electrically ganged together by a conductor therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . The stimulation lead of  claim 1 , wherein the first group consists of the first pair of segmented electrodes. 
     
     
         3 . The stimulation lead of  claim 1 , wherein the first group comprises at least one additional segmented electrode in addition to the first pair of segmented electrodes, wherein the at least one additional segmented electrode is not electrically ganged to the first pair of segmented electrodes. 
     
     
         4 . The stimulation lead of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one additional segmented electrode comprises a second pair of the segmented electrodes that are disposed on opposite sides of the lead body and are electrically ganged together by a conductor therebetween. 
     
     
         5 . The stimulation lead of  claim 4 , wherein the first pair and the second pair are radially offset by an angle in a range of 75 to 115 degrees with respect to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The stimulation lead of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of groups of segmented electrodes comprises a second group disposed at a different longitudinal position than the first group, the second group comprising a second pair of the segmented electrodes which are disposed on opposite sides of the lead body and are electrically ganged together by a conductor therebetween. 
     
     
         7 . The stimulation lead of  claim 6 , wherein the first pair and the second pair are radially offset by an angle in a range of 75 to 115 degrees with respect to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The stimulation lead of  claim 7 , wherein the first pair longitudinally overlaps with the second pair. 
     
     
         9 . The stimulation lead of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second pairs of the segmented electrodes are radially aligned with each other. 
     
     
         10 . The stimulation lead of  claim 9 , wherein the first group comprises a third pair of the segmented electrodes which are disposed on opposite sides of the lead body and are electrically ganged together by a conductor therebetween and the second group comprises a fourth pair of the segmented electrodes which are disposed on opposite sides of the lead body and are electrically ganged together by a conductor therebetween. 
     
     
         11 . The stimulation lead of  claim 10 , wherein the third and fourth pairs of the segmented electrodes are radially aligned with each other. 
     
     
         12 . The stimulation lead of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes further comprises at least one ring electrode. 
     
     
         13 . The stimulation lead of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of terminals disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead body near the proximal end of the lead body and electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes. 
     
     
         14 . A kit for implanting a stimulation lead into a patient, the kit comprising:
 a stimulation lead comprising a longitudinal surface, a distal end, and at least one electrode disposed along the longitudinal surface of the stimulation lead near the distal end of the stimulation lead, wherein a portion of the stimulation lead upon which the electrodes are disposed has a non-circular cross-sectional shape;   at least one microelectrode lead comprising a distal end and at least one microelectrode disposed at the distal end of the microelectrode lead; and   an introducer defining a lumen configured and arranged to receive the stimulation lead, the introducer further comprising at least one interior wall extending into the lumen and defining at least one microelectrode lumen that is configured and arranged to receive, and hold within the microelectrode lumen, a one of the at least one microelectrode leads.   
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the introducer comprises at least two interior walls defining at least two microelectrode lumens. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the stimulation lead further comprises a proximal end, two main portions disposed at the distal end of the lead, a bendable portion disposed between the two main portions, and a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead and electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes, wherein the bendable portion is bent so that the two main portions are disposed opposite each other and the plurality of electrodes are disposed on surfaces of the two main portions of the lead, wherein each electrode has an exposed surface through which electrical energy can be supplied to stimulate adjacent tissue when the stimulation lead is implanted. 
     
     
         17 . A method for stimulating tissue, the method comprising:
 implanting a lead comprising a longitudinal surface, a distal end, a proximal end, two main portions disposed at the distal end of the lead, a bendable portion disposed between the two main portions, a plurality of electrodes disposed on surfaces of the two main portions of the lead, and a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead and electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes, wherein the bendable portion is bent so that the two main portions are disposed opposite each other and wherein each electrode has an exposed surface through which electrical energy can be supplied to stimulate adjacent tissue when the stimulation lead is implanted;   retaining the lead in the patient with the bendable portion bent; and   stimulating adjacent tissue using at least one of the electrodes.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein implanting a lead comprising inserting at least the distal end of the lead into an introducer defining a lumen configured and arranged to receive the lead, the introducer further comprising at least one interior wall extending into the lumen and defining at least one microelectrode lumen that is configured and arranged to receive a microelectrode lead. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein implanting a lead further comprises inserting a microelectrode lead into the microelectrode lumen of the lead body. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein implanting a lead further comprises using the microelectrode lead to identify tissue for stimulation.