Lead Electrode Marking System and Method for Deployment

Abstract

A lead includes a lead body having at least two electrodes and a lead marker. The lead marker corresponds to a size and spacing of each of the at least two electrodes. The spacing between the electrodes and lead marker corresponds to an operative length of a first lead introducer configured to be used with the lead. Lead systems that include one or more lead introducers and kits including the same are also disclosed.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system comprising a lead and an introducer, the introducer extending from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof over an operative length thereof and being configured for insertion of a body of the lead therethrough, the lead comprising an electrode array and a marking system, the electrode array comprising first and second electrodes, the electrodes being spaced apart from one another along a distal end of the lead body, the first electrode extending over a length from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof, the second electrode extending over a length from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof, and the marking system comprising:
 a first marker formed at a proximal end of the lead body and extending over a length from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof, the length of the first marker being the same as the length of the first electrode of the electrode array, and the distal end of the first marker being spaced from the distal end of the first electrode by a distance equal to the operative length of the introducer, such that, as the lead body is inserted through the introducer, an alignment of the distal end of the first marker with the proximal end of the introducer indicates that the distal end of the first electrode is aligned with the distal end of the introducer, and an alignment of the proximal end of the first marker with the proximal end of the introducer indicates that the proximal end of the first electrode is aligned with the distal end of the introducer;   a second marker formed at the proximal end of the lead body and extending over a length from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof, the length of the second marker being the same as the length of the second electrode of the electrode array, the distal end of the second marker being spaced from the distal end of the second electrode by a distance equal to the operative length of the introducer, and the second marker being spaced apart from the first marker by a spacing that is the same as the spacing between the first and second electrodes, such that, as the lead body is inserted through the introducer, an alignment of the distal end of the second marker with the proximal end of the introducer indicates that the distal end of the second electrode is aligned with the distal end of the introducer and that the first electrode is spaced distally from the distal end of the introducer, and an alignment of the proximal end of the second marker with the proximal end of the introducer indicates that the proximal end of the second electrode is aligned with the distal end of the introducer.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the introducer comprises a first introducer, and the system further comprises a second introducer extending from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof over an operative length thereof and being configured for insertion of the lead body therethrough, the operative length of the second introducer being longer than the operative length of the first introducer; and the marking system further comprises:
 a third marker formed at the proximal end of the lead body and extending over a length from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof, the length of the third marker being the same as the length of the first electrode of the electrode array, and the distal end of the third marker being spaced from the distal end of the first electrode by a distance equal to the operative length of the second introducer, such that, as the lead body is inserted through the second introducer, an alignment of the distal end of the third marker with the proximal end of the second introducer indicates that the distal end of the first electrode is aligned with the distal end of the second introducer, and an alignment of the proximal end of the third marker with the proximal end of the second introducer indicates that the proximal end of the first electrode is aligned with the distal end of the second introducer; and   a fourth marker formed at the proximal end of the lead body and extending over a length from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof, the length of the fourth marker being the same as the length of the second electrode of the electrode array, the distal end of the fourth marker being spaced from the distal end of the second electrode by a distance equal to the operative length of the second introducer, and the fourth marker being spaced apart from the third marker by a spacing that is the same as the spacing between the first and second electrodes, such that, as the lead body is inserted through the second introducer, an alignment of the distal end of the fourth marker with the proximal end of the second introducer indicates that the distal end of the second electrode is aligned with the distal end of the second introducer and that the first electrode is spaced distally from the distal end of the second introducer, and an alignment of the proximal end of the fourth marker with the proximal end of the second introducer indicates that the proximal end of the second electrode is aligned with the distal end of the second introducer.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the first introducer is coded with a first code and the second introducer is coded with a second code; and the first and second markers are coded with the first code and the third and fourth markers are coded with the second code. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein each of the first and second introducers includes a transparent hub located in proximity to the proximal end thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the introducer includes a transparent hub located in proximity to the proximal end thereof.