GB1296550A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1296550 Implantable electrodes MEDTRONIC Inc 17 Nov 1969 [18 Nov 1968 31 Dec 1968] 56171/69 Heading A5R An electrode for implantation into a body comprises a plurality of electrically conductive leads, e.g. 10, 11 and a plurality of flexible terminals, e.g. 22-24, the leads and terminals being partially encased in an electrically insulating substance 14, those parts of the terminals 22-24 adapted to make contact with a part of the body when the apparatus is in use, being exposed. The substance 14 is formed into a pair of tabs 15 and 16 and the terminals 22-24 are preferably of a flat strip of non- resilient metal. In the embodiment shown, the terminal 23 is connected to the lead 11 while terminals 22 and 24 are connected to the lead 10, and on opposite sides of the terminal 23, such an arrangement producing, in use, a screening effect on. the terminal 23. In use, the terminals 22-24 are bent around a part of the body, such as a nerve (20) Fig. 5 (not shown) tabs 15 and 16 being brought into contact and joined by sutures (21), Fig. 5 (not shown) and to facilitate this process the apparatus may be formed curved as in the embodiment of Fig. 4 (not shown). The surface area of the terminal 23 is preferably equal to that of the sum of the areas of terminals 22 and 24 and the terminals 22-24 are placed generally parallel to each other. In an alternative embodiment, Fig. 1 (not shown), there are only two terminals 12 and 13 and in a second modification, Fig. 6 (not shown) again there are only two terminals 12 and 13 substantially coplanar with a "U"-shaped conductor, not connected to a lead, placed around the said terminals. In a further modification, Fig. 13 (not shown), two flexible leads (50) and (51) are integrally with terminals (52) and (53), (52) being "U"- shaped and (53) being coplanar and inserted into the open part of this shape. The leads and terminals are of the type disclosed in the co-pending Specification.