Medical lead and method for medical lead manufacture

Abstract

A lead employing a connection between a conductor and an electric element is provided. The connection includes a conductive pad electrically connected to at least one conductor and the electric element electrically connected to the conductive pad. The conductive pad can further include an elongated element to connect the pad to the electric element. The method for connecting a conductor to an electric element is also provided. The method includes forming a groove in the insulator of a lead body to expose the conductor. Placing a conductive pad within the groove and electrically connecting a conductive pad to the conductor. An electric element is then placed over the conductive pad and the electric element is electrically connected to the conductive pad.

1 . A method for manufacturing a medical lead, the method comprising:
 cutting a welding region in a lead body to expose a conductor;   securing a conductive pad within the welding region adjacent the conductor; and   securing a band to the conductive pad to electrically connected the band to the conductor.   
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the conductive pad is secured within the welding region by a method selected from the group consisting of welding, crimping and adhesives. 
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the welding region is in the shape of a groove. 
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the groove is formed obliquely across the lead body and parallel to the conductor. 
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the welding region is formed using a laser. 
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with  claim 5  wherein securing the band further comprises welding the band to the conductive pad using a laser. 
     
     
         7 . A method of forming a medical lead, the method comprising:
 forming using a laser a first welding region within insulating material in a lead body to expose a first conductor;   forming using a laser a second welding region within the insulating material in the lead body expose the first conductor;   forming a first conductive pad within the first welding region and electrically connecting the first conductive pad to the first conductor;   forming a second conductive pad within the second welding region and electrically connecting the first conductive pad to the first conductor;   electrically connecting a first electrode to the first conductive pad; and   electrically connecting the first electrode to the second conductive pad.   
     
     
         8 . A method in accordance with  claim 7  wherein the first welding region and the second welding region are in the shape of a groove. 
     
     
         9 . A method in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the grooves are formed obliquely across the lead body and parallel to the first conductor. 
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with  claim 5  wherein electrically connecting the first electrode to the first conductive pad further comprises welding the electrode to the first conductive pad, and electrically connecting the first electrode to the second conductive pad further comprises welding the electrode to the second conductive pad. 
     
     
         11 . A method in accordance with  claim 7  wherein the first and second conductive material each comprise a conductive metal selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, MB35N, Pt—Ir, platinum, silver, gold, copper and vanadium. 
     
     
         12 . A method of forming a medical lead, the method comprising:
 forming a welding region within insulating material in a lead body of the medical lead to expose a conductor, the welding region having a shape of a groove and formed obliquely across the lead body and parallel to the conductor;   placing a conductive pad within the welding region and securing the conductive pad to the conductor using a laser; and   electrically connecting an electrode to the conductive pad.   
     
     
         13 . A method in accordance with  claim 12  wherein the welding region is formed using a laser. 
     
     
         14 . A method in accordance with  claim 13  wherein the conductive material comprises a conductive metal selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, MB35N, Pt—Ir, platinum, silver, gold, copper and vanadium. 
     
     
         15 . A method in accordance with  claim 12  further comprising:
 forming a second welding region within the insulating material to expose the conductor, the second welding region having a shape of a groove and formed obliquely across the lead body and parallel to the conductor; 
 placing a second conductive pad within the second welding region and securing the second conductive pad to the conductor using a laser; and 
 electrically connecting the electrode to the second conductive pad.