Sutureless lead retention features

Abstract

A system includes a lead having a lead body and at least one electrode; and a retention feature disposed along the lead body proximal to the at least one electrode and configured to assist in atraumatically anchoring the lead to nearby tissue when the lead is positioned in the body. Alternatively, a system includes a lead, a lead body, at least one electrode; with a coiled retention feature disposed along the lead body proximal to the at least one electrode and configured to assist in anchoring the lead to nearby tissue. A lead for stimulating a target neural tissue includes an elongate body; at least one electrode disposed along the elongate body; and a passive retention feature disposed along the lead body proximal to the at least one electrode and configured to assist in anchoring the elongate body to tissue near the target neural tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lead for stimulating a target neural tissue comprising:
 an elongate body;   at least one electrode disposed along the elongate body; and   a passive retention feature disposed along the lead body proximal to the at least one electrode and configured to assist in anchoring the elongate body to tissue near the target neural tissue.   
     
     
         2 . A lead as in  claim 1 , wherein the passive retention feature assists in anchoring by friction. 
     
     
         3 . A lead as in  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the surface of the passive retention feature is treated to increase the friction between the surface of the passive retention feature and surrounding tissue when the lead is implanted in a body. 
     
     
         4 . A lead as in  claim 1 , wherein the passive retention feature assists in anchoring by tissue ingrowth. 
     
     
         5 . A lead as in  claim 1 , wherein the passive retention feature is disposed along the lead body in a location so as to assist in anchoring to non-neural tissue while the at least one electrode stimulates the target neural tissue. 
     
     
         6 . A lead as in  claim 1 , wherein the target neural tissue comprises a dorsal root ganglion. 
     
     
         7 . A lead as in  claim 1 , wherein the passive retention feature is fixed in relation to axial movement along the lead body. 
     
     
         8 . A lead as in  claim 7 , wherein a distal-most end of the passive retention feature is disposed approximately 5 mm to 2 cm proximally of a proximal-most electrode of the at least one electrode. 
     
     
         9 . A lead as in  claim 1 , wherein the passive retention feature comprises a braided structure configured to buckle in a pre-defined manner. 
     
     
         10 . A lead for as in  claim 1 , wherein the passive retention feature comprises at least one projection of a floppy material configured to assist in anchoring the elongate body to tissue near the target neural tissue by friction while in a floppy state. 
     
     
         11 . A lead as in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one projection of a floppy material comprises an elongate strip cut from a sleeve mounted on the elongate body. 
     
     
         12 . A lead as in  claim 11 , wherein the floppy material comprises a flexible polymer. 
     
     
         13 . A lead as in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one projection has an end that faces in one direction and wherein the at least one projection provides frictional resistance to movement of the elongate body in the one direction. 
     
     
         14 . A lead as in  claim 13 , further comprising a second passive retention feature disposed along the elongate body proximal to the at least one electrode, second passive retention feature providing additional frictional resistance to movement of the elongate body in the one direction. 
     
     
         15 . A lead as in  claim 13 , further comprising a second passive retention feature disposed along the elongate body proximal to the at least one electrode, second passive retention feature providing frictional resistance to movement of the elongate body in a direction opposite to the one direction. 
     
     
         16 . A lead as in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one projection of a floppy material has a hair-like or whisker-type shape. 
     
     
         17 . A lead as in  claim 16 , wherein the at least one projection of a floppy material comprises a fiber, filament, suture or thread.