Implantable electrical stimulation device with a flexible electrode

Abstract

A mismatch in curvature of an electrode lead section may create unexpected and/or unpredictable electrical resistance with underlying tissue. In addition, repeated movement of the relevant areas of the body may even worsen the mismatch. Implants for electrical stimulation require low electrical resistance conductors for stimulation electrodes, return electrodes and interconnections which conventionally use metal for wires and contacts. These conductors reduce the flexibility, and the problem becomes worse as the number of electrodes increases. An implantable stimulation device is provided with an elongated substrate, one or more interconnections, a flexible electrode with two portions, separated by one or more bending interruptions, wherein the first portion and second portion are in direct electrical connection through the one or more interconnections. The electrode portions on opposite sides of the bending points are electrically connected allowing the mechanical bending and the electrical connections to be optimized separately.