Leads with non-circular-shaped distal ends for brain stimulation systems and methods of making and using

Abstract

A lead is configured and arranged for brain stimulation. The lead includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end includes a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end. The distal end has a non-circular transverse cross-sectional shape and includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end. A plurality of conductive wires electrically couple at least one of the plurality of electrodes to at least one of the plurality of terminals.

1 . A lead configured and arranged for brain stimulation, the lead comprising:
 a proximal end comprising a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end;   a distal end having a non-circular transverse cross-sectional shape, the distal end comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end; and   a plurality of conductive wires, each of the plurality of conductive wires electrically coupling at least one of the plurality of electrodes to at least one of the plurality of terminals.   
     
     
         2 . The lead of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end has a non-circular transverse cross-sectional shape that comprises at least three faces. 
     
     
         3 . The lead of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes is disposed on at least two faces. 
     
     
         4 . The lead of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end has a non-circular transverse cross-sectional shape that comprises at least two arms extending away from a center of the lead. 
     
     
         5 . The lead of  claim 4 , wherein at least two of the arms form an acute angle. 
     
     
         6 . The lead of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes is disposed on each of the arms so that at least one electrode disposed on each of two of the arms face towards each other across the acute angle. 
     
     
         7 . The lead of  claim 4 , wherein the at least two of the arms form an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         8 . The lead of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes is disposed on each of the arms so that at least one electrode disposed on each of two of the arms face towards each other across the obtuse angle. 
     
     
         9 . The lead of  claim 4 , wherein at least two of the arms form an acute angle and at least two of the arms form an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         10 . The lead of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the lead has a transverse cross-sectional geometric shape that is one of a triangle, a rectangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, or an octagon. 
     
     
         11 . The lead of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the lead has an irregular transverse cross-sectional geometric shape. 
     
     
         12 . The lead of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the lead has a transverse cross-sectional shape that is one of a cruciform, a Y-shape, an L-shape, an acutely-angled V-shape, an obtusely-angled V-shape, a U-shape, a C-shape, an I-shape, a five-sided star, a six-sided star, or a seven-sided star. 
     
     
         13 . The lead of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the lead has a circular transverse cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         14 . A lead configured and arranged for brain stimulation, the lead comprising:
 a proximal end comprising a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end;   a distal end comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end, wherein the distal end defines a hollow interior region that is open at the distal end, the hollow interior region having a longitudinal length, an outer surface external to the hollow interior region, and an inner surface lining the sides of the hollow interior region; and   a plurality of conductive wires, each of the plurality of conductive wires electrically coupling at least one of the plurality of electrodes to at least one of the plurality of terminals.   
     
     
         15 . The lead of  claim 14 , wherein the distal end has a circular transverse cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         16 . The lead of  claim 14 , wherein the distal end further comprises at least one slit defined along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the hollow interior region. 
     
     
         17 . The lead of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes are disposed on the inner surface of the hollow interior region. 
     
     
         18 . The lead of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are disposed on the outer surface of the hollow interior region. 
     
     
         19 . The lead of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes is disposed on the inner surface of the hollow interior region and at least one of the plurality of electrodes is disposed on the outer surface of the hollow interior region. 
     
     
         20 . A method for stimulating patient brain tissue, the method comprising:
 implanting a lead into a brain of a patient, the lead comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed on a distal end, the distal end having a non-circular transverse cross-sectional shape, the plurality of electrodes electrically coupled to a plurality of terminals disposed on a proximal end, a plurality of conductive wires electrically coupling at least one terminal to at least one electrode;   disposing the proximal end of the lead into a connector, the connector configured and arranged for receiving the proximal end of the lead, the connector comprising a plurality of connective contacts that electrically couple to at least one of the plurality of terminals, the connector electrically coupled to a control module; and   providing electrical signals from the control module to electrically stimulate patient tissue using at least one of the plurality of electrodes disposed on the distal end of the lead.