Load-carrying body for reducing torsional and tensile loading on electronic components in an implantable medical electrical lead

Abstract

A load-carrying body for reducing torsional and tensile loading on electrical components in an implantable medical electrical lead includes an electronic component disposed in-line with the implantable medical electrical lead, and a casing for the electronic component. The electronic component has a proximal end conductively coupled to a lead conductor and a distal end conductively coupled to a lead electrode. The casing is mechanically coupled to the lead so as to isolate the electrical component from torque or tensile loads applied to the lead, the lead electrode, or both.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A load-carrying body for reducing torsional and tensile loading on electronic components in an An implantable medical electrical lead, comprising:
 a) a lead conductor extending from a proximal lead conductor end to a distal lead conductor end, wherein the proximal lead conductor end is connectable to an implantable pulse generator; 
 b) an electrode configured for contact with body tissue; 
 c) an electronic component disposed in-line with an implantable medical electrical lead, the electronic component having a proximal electronic component end conductively and physically coupled to a the distal lead conductor end, and a distal electronic component end conductively and physically coupled to a lead the electrode; and 
 d) a casing forrigid, torque bearing member supporting the electronic component, wherein a proximal end of the casing being torque bearing member is mechanically, but not conductively coupled to the distal lead conductor end, and a distal end of the torque bearing member is mechanically, but not conductively coupled to the electrode, and  
 so as to isolatee) wherein the torque bearing member isolates the electronic component from torque or tensile loads applied to the lead conductor, the lead electrode, or both. 
 
     
     
       2. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 1 , including wherein a proximal torque coupler disposed is mechanically and conductively coupled between and to the lead conductor and the casing electronic component. 
     
     
       3. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 2 , wherein the casing includes a proximal hermetic a seal isolated by conductively isolates the proximal torque coupler from the torque or tensile loads applied to the lead bearing member. 
     
     
       4. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 2 , wherein the proximal torque coupler includes a proximal pin mechanically attached to the lead conductor and conductively coupled to the lead conductor and the electronic component. 
     
     
       5. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 4 , including wherein a drive shaft is disposed between the proximal pin and the lead conductor. 
     
     
       6. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 1 , including wherein a distal torque coupler disposed mechanically and conductively couples between and to the lead electrode and the casing electronic component. 
     
     
       7. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 6 , wherein the casing includes a distal hermetic a seal isolated by conductively isolates the distal torque coupler from the torque or tensile loads applied to the lead electrode bearing member. 
     
     
       8. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of any of claims claim  1 - 6 , wherein the electronic component comprises is selected from the group consisting of a bandstop filter, an electronic switch, a MEMs switch, a diode array, a multiplexer, a pin diode, a capacitor, a resistor, an inductor, an electronic sensor, or any combination and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       9. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 6 , wherein the distal torque coupler includes a distal pin mechanically attached to the lead electrode and conductively coupled to the lead electrode and the electronic component. 
     
     
       10. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of any of claims claim  1 - 6 , including wherein a collar is disposed at a distal end of the implantable medical electrical lead, and wherein the casing torque bearing member is disposed within the collar, and wherein the torque bearing member is translatable along a longitudinal axis of the collar. 
     
     
       11. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 10 , including wherein a seal is disposed between the casing torque bearing member and the collar for preventing, the seal being configured to prevent passage of ionic fluid into the lead through its a distal end of the collar. 
     
     
       12. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 11 , wherein the seal disposed between the torque bearing member and the collar is disposed at a distal end, at a proximal end, or along a middle of the casing torque bearing member. 
     
     
       13. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of claim  12  6, including wherein a collar is disposed at a distal end of the implantable medical electrical lead, and wherein the distal torque coupler is disposed within the collar, and wherein the distal torque coupler is translatable along a longitudinal axis of the collar. 
     
     
       14. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 13 , including wherein a seal is disposed between the proximal torque coupler and the collar for preventing, the seal being configured to prevent passage of bionic ionic fluid into the lead through its a distal end of the collar. 
     
     
       15. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 11 , wherein the seal disposed between the torque bearing member and the collar is fixed relative to the casing torque bearing member. 
     
     
       16. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 11 , wherein the seal disposed between the torque bearing member and the collar is fixed relative to the collar. 
     
     
       17. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 10 , including wherein an insulative conformal coating is disposed about at least a portion of the casing torque bearing member. 
     
     
       18. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 17 , wherein the conformal coating comprises a dielectric ceramic coating. 
     
     
       19. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 17 , wherein the conformal coating is characterized as having been applied by one of the group consisting of sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, dipping in or a chemical solution and applying a chemical solution. 
     
     
       20. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 17 , wherein the conformal coating comprises alumina or parylene. 
     
     
       21. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of claim  10  1, wherein the casing  torque bearing member comprises a dielectric ceramic coating. 
     
     
       22. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of claim  10  1, wherein the casing torque bearing member comprises alumina. 
     
     
       23. The load-carrying body implantable medical electrical lead of  claim 1 , including wherein a unitary torque coupler is disposed over the casing torque bearing member.