Ring electrode for pacing lead and process of making same

Abstract

Ring electrode for a pacing lead where the ring electrode is secured to a conductor coil by soft metal disposed in a slit in insulation over the conductor coil. A slit or hole is punched into the insulation before or after the insulation is pulled over the coiled conductor, silver ball or wire or other like soft metal is placed in the slit or hole, a ring is slid over the insulation and centered over the soft metal, and the ring is swaged to the same diameter as the insulation utilizing an internal mandrel in the conductor coil so that the soft metal is pressed between the ring electrode and the coiled conductor resulting in a mechanically crimped joint. The ring electrode provides flexibility within the lead and the insulation extending through the ring electrode. Tensile strength at the ring electrode is substantially equal to that of the insulation. The ring electrode is swaged to the same diameter as the lead body resulting in a smooth surface and providing for easy lead passage.