Medtronic, Inc.

Joseph J Klein

Charmaine Kaye Harris

Michael Jay Ebert

Jennifer P Miller

Richard Dean Ries

In general, the invention is directed to a technique for percutaneously introducing a stimulation lead into a target stimulation site via the epidural region proximate the spine of a patient. The process of introducing the stimulation lead may include the use of a hollow stimulation lead introducer, which comprises an elongated sheath and an elongated dilator. The dilator fits within the sheath and serves to widen a path through the epidural region for the introduction of a stimulation lead. At least a portion of the stimulation lead introducer has an oblong cross-section, allowing passage of stimulation leads such as paddle leads. The stimulation lead introducer may enter the epidural region proximate a spine of a patient via a guidewire. The stimulation lead introducer provides a path through the epidural region of a patient to a target stimulation site. A stimulation lead may travel through the path to reach the target stimulation site where it may provide therapy to the patient.

Percutaneous flat lead introducer

Percutaneous lead introducer

An implantable lead having a silicone rubber lead body which has a reduced coefficient of friction on an internal or external surface. The reduction in coefficient of friction is accomplished by extruding a tubular lead body to define a plurality of small parallel longitudinally extending grooves on the inner or outer surface of the lead body. The grooves may be formed by means of a die having inwardly or outwardly directed projections that form the grooves during the extrusion process. The formation of the grooves during extrusion provides a lead body having a lower coefficient of friction without the necessity of additional manufacturing process steps and without additional manufacturing costs.

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Plymouth, MN, United States of America

Joseph J Klein