An apparatus, system and method are provided for a wireless electrical stimulation. The apparatus generally includes at least two electrical stimulation units. Each electrical stimulation unit includes electrodes connected to the unit. The apparatus also includes a receiver configured for receiving the one or more control signals from a remote controller for remotely, wirelessly controlling each of the electrical stimulation units to selectively apply a time-varying electric potential to the electrodes to provide an electrical stimulation to tissue in electrical contact with the electrodes. The apparatus generally applies to a foot of a human body.

A system is provided for a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve or Electrical Muscle Stimulation. The system generally includes at least two electrodes carried on a single substrate adapted to be disposed in electrical contact with a body surface, and an electrical stimulation unit configured to deliver electrical pulses to muscle groups or nerve endings adjacent a body surface that is in electrical contact with the at least two electrodes. The electrical stimulation unit includes an on-board controller configured for controlling the stimulation unit to deliver electrical pulses for pain relief and/or muscle relaxation.

Radiopaque markers represent that a lead is suitable for a particular medical procedure such as a magnetic resonance image scan and are added to the lead or related device. The markers may be added after implantation of the lead in various ways including suturing, gluing, crimping, or clamping a radiopaque tag to the lead or to the device. The markers may be added by placing a radiopaque coil about the lead, and the radiopaque coil may radially contract against the lead to obtain a fixed position. The markers may be added by placing a polymer structure onto the lead where the polymer structure includes a radiopaque marker within it. The polymer structure may include a cylindrical aperture that contracts against the lead to fix the position of the polymer structure. The polymer structure may form a lead anchor that includes suture wings that can be sutured to the lead.

An electrode with varying impedances includes a plurality of layers that are compressed together with varying compressions forces. A first compression force is used at the perimeter of the electrode and a second compression force is used towards the center of the electrode. The first compression force at the perimeter is lesser than the second compression force towards the center and creates a greater measured impedance at the perimeter of the electrode than at the center of the electrode.

Implantable medical leads and implantable lead extensions include a shield. The implantable medical lead is coupled to the implantable lead extension. Stimulation electrodes of the implantable medical lead contact stimulation connectors within a housing of the implantable extension to establish a conductive pathway for stimulation signals from filars of the implantable extension to filars of the implantable medical lead. Continuity is established between the shield of the implantable medical lead and the implantable extension by providing a radio frequency conductive pathway within the housing. The radio frequency conductive pathway extends from a shield of the implantable extension to a shield connector that contacts a shield electrode of the implantable medical lead. The radio frequency conductive pathway may have various forms such as a jumper wire or an extension of the shield within the implantable extension.

Elongated conductors are provided. Aspects of the elongated conductors include: an elongated structure having a proximal region and a distal region, where the elongated conductor includes two or more insulated conducting members that are in fixed relative position along at least a portion of the elongated structure and extend from the proximal region to the distal region. A pattern of insulation openings among the insulated conducting members is present at one or both of the proximal and distal regions. Aspects of the invention further include methods of making the elongated conductors, as well as devices that include the elongated conductors.

A shield located within an implantable medical lead may be terminated in various ways. The shield may be terminated by butt, scarf, lap, or other joints between insulation layers surrounding the lead and an insulation extension. For lap joints, a portion of an outer insulation layer may be removed and a replacement outer insulation layer is positioned in place of the removed outer insulation layer, where the replacement layer extends beyond an inner insulation layer and the shield. The replacement layer may also lap onto a portion of the insulation extension. Barbs may be located between the replacement layer and the inner insulation layer or the insulation extension. The shield wires have ends at the termination point that may be folded over individually or may be capped with a ring located within one of the insulation layers of the jacket.

A method (100) of manufacturing a lead for an implantable medical device. The method includes: depositing (110) a base layer (3) of biocompatible, electrically non-conductive material; depositing (120) one or more complementary layers (5) of biocompatible, electrically non-conductive material to the base layer (3), wherein the base layer (3) and complementary layer (5) form at least one slot (7); and depositing (130) biocompatible, electrically conductive material (9) into the slot (7). There is also disclosed a lead for an implantable medical device and an apparatus (41) to manufacture the lead.

Radiopaque markers represent that a lead is suitable for a particular medical procedure such as a magnetic resonance image scan and are added to the lead or related device. The markers may be added after implantation of the lead in various ways including suturing, gluing, crimping, or clamping a radiopaque tag to the lead or to the device. The markers may be added by placing a radiopaque coil about the lead, and the radiopaque coil may radially contract against the lead to obtain a fixed position. The markers may be added by placing a polymer structure onto the lead where the polymer structure includes a radiopaque marker within it. The polymer structure may include a cylindrical aperture that contracts against the lead to fix the position of the polymer structure. The polymer structure may form a lead anchor that includes suture wings that can be sutured to the lead.

A system and method are provided for a wireless electrical stimulation. The system generally includes at least two electrical stimulation units. Each electrical stimulation unit includes electrodes connected to the unit. The system also includes a transmitter for remotely, wirelessly controlling each of the electrical stimulation units to selectively apply a time-varying electric potential to the electrodes to provide an electrical stimulation to tissue in electrical contact with the electrodes.