Neural stimulator with flying lead electrode

Abstract

A neural stimulator, suitable for implanting in a recipient, and having a flying lead with a configurable electrode. A benefit is an intra-operative ability to adjust the connection between the lead and an anatomically correct electrode, which obviates the need to manufacture multiple different configurations of implant to suit different placements of flying lead electrode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implantable neural stimulator, comprising:
 an attachment and   an electrode lead configured to accept the attachment,   wherein the attachment is adapted to secure the lead to a location on a recipient's anatomy.   
     
     
         2 . The neural stimulator of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment is configured to be joined to a tip of the electrode lead by an attachment method selected from the group comprising: crimping, screwing, and gluing. 
     
     
         3 . The neural stimulator of  claim 1 , wherein the neural stimulator is selected from the group comprising: an auditory prosthesis, a deep brain stimulator, a spinal stimulator, a vestibular stimulator, a transcranial stimulator, and a pacemaker. 
     
     
         4 . The neural stimulator of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode lead is a flying lead electrode, comprising:
 a conductor lead for passing electric current at least one of to or from a location on the recipient's anatomy, wherein the flying lead has a tip configured to accept an attachment.   
     
     
         5 . The neural stimulator of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode lead has a first contact surface, the attachment comprises a second contact surface and a third contact surface, wherein the first and second contact surfaces are configured to form an electrical connection between the electrical lead and the attachment, and wherein
 the third contact surface is configured to form an electrical connection between the attachment and tissue of a recipient of the neural stimulator.   
     
     
         6 . The neural stimulator of  claim 5 , wherein the electrode lead comprises an electrical conductor embedded in a non-conductive carrier member, the first contact surface is electrically connected to the electrical conductor, and wherein at least part of the first contact surface is exposed. 
     
     
         7 . The neural stimulator of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment is an electrode configured to be implanted at a target anatomical site within a recipient of the neural stimulator. 
     
     
         8 . A medical device comprising:
 an implantable neural stimulator, and   an anatomically configured electrode,   wherein the anatomically configured electrode is configured to be electrically connected to the implantable neural stimulator.   
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 8 , wherein the anatomically configured electrode is configured to be implanted at a target anatomical site of a recipient of the medical device, and wherein the implantable neural stimulator is configured to use the electrode to deliver electrical stimulation to the target anatomical site, and/or measure electrical properties of the recipient at the target site. 
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 8 , wherein the anatomically configured electrode is configured to be implanted at a target anatomical site before electrical connection of the anatomically configured electrode to the neural stimulator. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 8 , wherein the implantable neural stimulator is selected from the group comprising: an auditory prosthesis, a deep brain stimulator, a spinal stimulator, a vestibular stimulator, and a pacemaker. 
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 8 , wherein the implantable neural stimulator comprises an electrode array configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a recipient of the medical device, wherein the implantable neural stimulator comprises a flying lead, and wherein the anatomically configured electrode is configured to connect to a distal end of the flying lead. 
     
     
         13 . A surgical kit comprising:
 the medical device of  claim 8 , and   closed sterile packaging,   wherein the implantable neural stimulator and the anatomically configured electrode are physically separate within the closed sterile packaging.   
     
     
         14 . The surgical kit of  claim 13 , wherein the closed sterile packaging includes a plurality of anatomically configured electrodes, and wherein each of the plurality of anatomically configured electrodes are configured for placement at different anatomical locations. 
     
     
         15 . The medical device of  claim 8 , wherein the anatomically configured electrode is configured to be joined to the medical device by an attachment method selected from the group comprising: crimping, screwing, and gluing. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 securing an electrode to a part of an anatomy of a recipient, and   subsequently electrically connecting the electrode to an implantable stimulator unit.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising implanting the implantable stimulator unit in the recipient. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 delivering electrical stimulation from the implantable stimulator unit to the recipient via the electrode.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 removing an insulating layer from a lead of the implantable stimulator to expose an electrical contact, wherein the electrode is electrically connected to the exposed electrical contact to form an electrical connection with the implantable stimulator.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 implanting the implantable stimulator in the recipient before the electrode is electrically connected.