Mri compatible medical device lead including transmission line notch filters

Abstract

A medical device lead includes a conductor and one or more band stop filters each coupled to the conductor and including a conductive coil. The one or more band stop filters are configured to attenuate an MRI-induced signal on the conductor.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A medical device lead comprising:
 a conductor; and   one or more band stop filters each coupled to the conductor and including a conductive coil, the one or more band stop filters configured to attenuate an MRI-induced signal on the conductor.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device lead of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more band stop filters includes a first end and a second end, and wherein at least one of the first end and second end is coupled to the conductor. 
     
     
         3 . The medical device lead of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the one or more band stop filters is coupled to the conductor at either the first end or the second end, and wherein the length of the at least one of the one or more band stop filters is about one quarter wavelength of the MRI-induced signal on the conductor. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device lead of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the one or more band stop filters is coupled to the conductor at both the first end and second end, and wherein the length of the at least one of the one or more band stop filters is about one half wavelength of the MRI-induced signal on the conductor minus a length to account for a propagation delay through the conductor between the first and second ends. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device lead of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive coil of the band stop filter is coaxial with the conductor. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device lead of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive coil of the band stop filter is co-radial with the conductor. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device lead of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more band stop filters comprises at least two band stop filters configured to attenuate MRI-induced signals at different frequencies. 
     
     
         8 . A medical device lead comprising:
 a conductor configured to be connected to a pulse generator; and   one or more band stop filters each including a conductive element comprising a conductive coil, wherein each band stop filter is coupled to the conductor such that an MRI-induced signal on the conductor propagates through the band stop filter a total distance of approximately one-half wavelength of the MRI-induced signal.   
     
     
         9 . The medical device lead of  claim 8 , wherein the each of the one or more band stop filters includes a first end and a second end, and wherein at least one of the first end and second end is coupled to the conductor. 
     
     
         10 . The medical device lead of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the one or more band stop filters is coupled to the conductor at either the first end or the second end, and wherein the length of the conductive element of the at least one of the one or more band stop filters is about one quarter wavelength of the MRI-induced signal on the conductor. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device lead of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the one or more band stop filters is coupled to the conductor at both the first end and second end, and wherein the length of the conductive element of the at least one of the one or more band stop filters is about one half wavelength of the MRI-induced signal on the conductor minus a length to account for a propagation delay through the conductor between the first and second ends. 
     
     
         12 . The medical device lead of  claim 8 , wherein the conductive coil of the band stop filter is coaxial with the conductor. 
     
     
         13 . The medical device lead of  claim 8 , wherein the conductive coil of the band stop filter is co-radial with the conductor. 
     
     
         14 . The medical device lead of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more band stop filters comprises at least two band stop filters configured to attenuate MRI-induced signals at different frequencies. 
     
     
         15 . A medical device, comprising:
 a pulse generator; and   a lead including an electrode, a lead conductor connecting the pulse generator with the electrode, and one or more band stop filters each coupled to the lead conductor and including a conductive coil, the one or more band stop filters configured to attenuate an MRI-induced signal on the lead conductor.   
     
     
         16 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the one or more band stop filters is coupled to the lead conductor at either a first end or second end of the at least one of the one or more band stop filters, and wherein the length of the at least one of the one or more band stop filters is about one quarter wavelength of the MRI-induced signal on the lead conductor. 
     
     
         17 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the one or more band stop filters is coupled to the lead conductor at both a first end and second end of the at least one of the one or more band stop filters, and wherein the length of the at least one of the one or more band stop filters is about one half wavelength of the MRI-induced signal on the lead conductor minus a length to account for a propagation delay through the lead conductor between the first and second ends. 
     
     
         18 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the conductive coil of the band stop filter is coaxial with the lead conductor. 
     
     
         19 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the conductive coil of the band stop filter is co-radial with the lead conductor. 
     
     
         20 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more band stop filters comprises at least two band stop filters configured to attenuate MRI-induced signals at different frequencies.