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Self-folding paddle lead and method of fabricating a paddle leadSelf-folding paddle lead and method of fabricating a paddle lead description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070191709, Self-folding paddle lead and method of fabricating a paddle lead. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION [0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/772,321, filed Feb. 10, 2006, entitled "SELF-FOLDING PADDLE LEAD AND METHOD OF FABRICATING A PADDLE LEAD," which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002]The present application is generally related to a paddle lead that is self-folding for insertion in a patient using an insertion tool or catheter and that returns to an extended state upon exiting the insertion tool or catheter within the epidural space. BACKGROUND [0003]Application of electrical fields to spinal nerve roots, spinal cord, and other nerve bundles for the purpose of chronic pain control has been actively practiced for some time. While a precise understanding of the interaction between the applied electrical energy and the nervous tissue is not fully appreciated, it is known that application of an electrical field to spinal nervous tissue (i.e., spinal nerve roots and spinal cord bundles) can effectively mask certain types of pain transmitted from regions of the body associated with the stimulated nerve tissue. Specifically, applying electrical energy to the spinal cord associated with regions of the body afflicted with chronic pain can induce "paresthesia" (a subjective sensation of numbness or tingling) in the afflicted bodily regions. Thereby, paresthesia can effectively mask the transmission of non-acute pain sensations to the brain. [0004]It is known that each exterior region, or each dermatome, of the human body is associated with a particular longitudinal spinal position. Thus, electrical stimulation of nerve tissue must occur at a specific longitudinal location to effectively treat chronic pain. Additionally, it is important to avoid applying electrical stimulation of nerve tissue associated with regions of the body that are unaffected by chronic pain. Positioning of an applied electrical field relative to a physiological midline is also important. [0005]Percutaneous leads and laminotomy leads are the two most common types of lead designs that provide conductors that deliver stimulation pulses from an implantable pulse generator (IPG) to distal electrodes adjacent to the nerve tissue. As shown in FIG. 1A, conventional percutaneous lead 100 includes electrodes 101 that substantially conform to the body of the body portion of the lead. Due to the relatively small profile of percutaneous leads, percutaneous leads are typically positioned above the dura layer through the use of a Touhy-like needle. Specifically, the Touhy-like needle is passed through the skin, between desired vertebrae to open above the dura layer for the insertion of the percutaneous lead. [0006]As shown in FIG. 1B, conventional laminotomy or paddle lead 150 has a paddle configuration and typically possesses a plurality of electrodes 151 (commonly, two, four, eight, or sixteen) arranged in one or more columns. Multi-column laminotomy leads enable reliable positioning of a plurality of electrodes. Also, laminotomy leads offer a more stable platform that tends to migrate less after implantation and that is capable of being sutured in place. Laminotomy leads also create a uni-directional electrical field and, hence, can be used in a more electrically efficient manner than conventional percutaneous leads. Due to their dimensions and physical characteristics, conventional laminotomy leads require a surgical procedure for implantation. The surgical procedure (a partial laminectomy) is evasive and requires the resection and removal of certain vertebral tissue to allow both access to the dura and proper positioning of a laminotomy lead. SUMMARY [0007]In one embodiment, a medical lead comprises a lead body for conducting electrical pulses and a paddle. The paddle includes an intermediate metal layer, at least an insulative polymer backing layer, and an insulative polymer covering layer. The intermediate metal layer comprises a plurality of features defined by gaps in the metal material in the metal layer such that each feature is electrically isolated from each other feature, wherein each feature includes a respective connector element that is electrically coupled to at least one conductor within the lead body, wherein a portion of the insulative polymer covering layer is exposed above each feature to define a respective electrode for the corresponding feature. Also, the paddle possesses shape memory to cause the paddle to assume a substantially planar orientation when the shape memory is in a relaxed state. [0008]The foregoing has outlined rather broadly certain features and/or technical advantages in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and/or advantages will be described hereinafter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The novel features, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009]FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a conventional percutaneous lead and a conventional paddle lead, respectively. [0010]FIG. 2 depicts a self-folding flexible paddle according to one representative embodiment. [0011]FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart for fabricating the paddle shown in FIG. 2 according to one representative embodiment. [0012]FIG. 4A depicts a cross-sectional view of a paddle lead including the paddle shown in FIG. 2 according to one representative embodiment. FIGS. 4B-4D depict the "sliding" folding progression of the paddle of the paddle lead shown in FIG. 4A according to one representative embodiment. [0013]FIGS. 5A-5H depict placement of a paddle lead within the epidural space of a patient according to one representative embodiment. [0014]FIG. 6 depicts a foldable paddle lead coupled to an implantable pulse generator according to one representative embodiment. [0015]FIG. 7 depicts a foldable paddle lead that folds in a manner similar to a page being turned in a book. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0016]FIG. 2 depicts a schematic representation of flexible paddle 200 according to one representative embodiment. Flexible paddle 200 is preferably fabricated using laminated layers of biocompatible polymer(s) and one or several thin layers of suitable conductive material. The conductive material may cover almost all of the surface area of the polymer backing. Specifically, the various structures (electrodes, guides, connector elements) are preferably defined by scribing or etching borders or edges between these structures. In such embodiments, the conductive material provides sufficient shape memory to cause the paddle structure to assume a planar shape in a relaxed state. In alternative embodiments, one or more layers of the polymer may be utilized to provide the desired mechanical characteristic. [0017]The width of paddle 200 is sufficient to provide suitable spacing between the two sets of electrodes 203 to enable stimulation of the pertinent nerve fibers across the physiological midline of the patient. The design of paddle 200 enables paddle 200 to be substantially maintained at a desired position within the patient's epidural space. Moreover, the design of paddle 200 ensures that electrodes 203-1 through 203-8 will remain in fixed relative positions, e.g., electrodes 203-1 through 203-4 cannot be offset longitudinally from electrodes 203-5 through 203-8. [0018]Paddle 200 includes guide structures 202-1 and 202-2 which are proximate to distal end 201 of the paddle. Guide structures 202-1 and 202-2 cause paddle 200 to fold upon itself when the guide structures 200 contact the lumen of an insertion tool. In some embodiments, the guide structures 202-1 and 202-2 are implemented by scribing longitudinal elements in the conductive material. When paddle 200 contacts the inner surface of the insertion tool, the longitudinal elements distribute force into the body of paddle 200 according to the shape of the respective longitudinal elements. Additionally, guide structures 202-1 and 202-2 are preferably implemented to possess different amounts of rigidity (e.g., due to the shape of the respective guide structures 202, the thickness of their respective longitudinal members, etc.). The difference in the amount of rigidity controls the manner in which paddle 200 folds. As will be discussed in greater detail below, one side of paddle 200 folds over the other side in a substantially lateral manner thereby minimizing the amount of open space within the epidural space required for paddle 200 to unfold. Continue reading about Self-folding paddle lead and method of fabricating a paddle lead... Full patent description for Self-folding paddle lead and method of fabricating a paddle lead Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Self-folding paddle lead and method of fabricating a paddle lead patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Self-folding paddle lead and method of fabricating a paddle lead or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Radio-opaque marker for medical implants Next Patent Application: Ergonomic housing for ultrasound transducer probe Industry Class: Surgery ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Self-folding paddle lead and method of fabricating a paddle lead patent info. 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