Non-linear electrode array

Abstract

A system for stimulation includes an implantable pulse generator, a lead, and conductors. The lead includes an array body disposed at a distal end of the lead and electrodes concentrically arranged on the array body. A center electrode may also be disposed on the array body. The electrodes may be arranged in more than one concentric ring. A method of using an implantable stimulator includes implanting an implantable stimulator and providing an electrical signal to at least one electrode of the implantable stimulator to stimulate a tissue. The electrical signal may be provided between diametrically opposed electrodes or between electrodes that are not diametrically opposed. If the implantable stimulator has a center electrode, the electrical signal may be provided between the center electrode and at least one concentrically arranged electrode.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A lead comprising:
 an array body disposed at a distal end of the lead, wherein the array body has a substantially flat, front surface; and   a plurality of electrodes concentrically arranged on the substantially flat, front surface of the array body,   wherein at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes is a non-circular electrode having a major axis and a minor axis, and   wherein the at least one non-circular electrode defines two linear, parallel side boundaries of that electrode and two opposing half-circle curved end boundaries of that electrode, each curved end boundary connected to the two side boundaries.   
   
   
       22 . The lead of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are arranged symmetrically with respect to one or more central axes. 
   
   
       23 . The lead of  claim 21 , wherein at least two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes are diametrically opposed. 
   
   
       24 . The lead of  claim 21 , wherein no two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes are diametrically opposed. 
   
   
       25 . The lead of  claim 21 , further comprising a center electrode disposed on the array body and centrally located with respect to the plurality of electrodes. 
   
   
       26 . The lead of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are concentrically arranged in a plurality of concentric rings. 
   
   
       27 . The lead of  claim 26 , wherein at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes in a first concentric ring of the plurality of concentric rings is aligned coaxially with at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes in a second concentric ring of the plurality of concentric rings. 
   
   
       28 . The lead of  claim 26 , wherein a major axis of at least one non-circular electrode of the plurality of electrodes in a first concentric ring of the plurality of concentric rings is arranged radially and a major axis of at least one non-circular electrode of the plurality of electrodes in a second concentric ring of the plurality of concentric rings is arranged tangentially. 
   
   
       29 . The lead of  claim 26 , wherein a major axis of at least one non-circular electrode of the plurality of electrodes in a first concentric ring of the plurality of concentric rings and a major axis of at least one non-circular electrode of the plurality of electrodes in a second concentric ring of the plurality of concentric rings are arranged radially. 
   
   
       30 . A system for stimulation comprising:
 an implantable pulse generator; and   the lead of  claim 21 .   
   
   
       31 . A lead comprising:
 an array body disposed at a distal end of the lead, wherein the array body has a substantially flat, front surface; and   a plurality of electrodes concentrically arranged in at least one concentric ring on the substantially flat, front surface of the array body,   wherein no two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes in a first concentric ring of the at least one concentric ring are diametrically opposed.   
   
   
       32 . The lead of  claim 31 , wherein no two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes in any concentric ring of the at least one concentric ring are diametrically opposed. 
   
   
       33 . A lead comprising:
 an array body disposed at a distal end of the lead, wherein the array body has a substantially flat, front surface; and   a plurality of electrodes concentrically arranged in at least one concentric ring on the substantially flat, front surface of the array body,   the plurality of electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode that are each non-circular electrodes having a major axis and a minor axis,   wherein each of the first electrode and the second electrode defines two linear, parallel side boundaries of that electrode and two opposing half-circle curved end boundaries of that electrode, each curved end boundary connected to the two side boundaries, and   wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are aligned coaxially.   
   
   
       34 . The lead of  claim 33 , wherein the major axis of the first electrode is aligned coaxially with the major axis of the second electrode. 
   
   
       35 . The lead of  claim 33 , wherein the major axis of the first electrode is aligned coaxially with the minor axis of the second electrode. 
   
   
       36 . The lead of  claim 33 , wherein the first electrode is in a first concentric ring and the second electrode is in a second concentric ring, and wherein the major axis of the first electrode is aligned coaxially with the major axis of the second electrode. 
   
   
       37 . The lead of  claim 33 , wherein the first electrode is in a first concentric ring of the at least one concentric ring and the second electrode is in a second concentric ring of the at least one concentric ring, and wherein the major axis of the first electrode is aligned coaxially with the minor axis of the second electrode. 
   
   
       38 . The lead of  claim 33 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are arranged symmetrically with respect to one or more central axes. 
   
   
       39 . The lead of  claim 33 , further comprising a center electrode disposed on the array body and centrally located with respect to the plurality of electrodes 
   
   
       40 . A system for stimulation comprising:
 an implantable pulse generator; and   the lead of  claim 33 .