Techniques for forming a modular lead

Systems, devices, and techniques are disclosed for forming an elongate lead body module of a modular lead. The method may comprise rotating a mandrel, wherein the mandrel extends through a through-hole of a conductor hub, wherein each conductor of a plurality of conductors extend through a respective channel of a plurality of channels of the conductor hub, wherein each conductor of the plurality of conductors extends from a respective bobbin of plurality of bobbins to the channels, wherein the plurality of bobbins are coupled to a carriage, the carriage defining a central opening through which the mandrel passes. The method may comprise moving the carriage away from the conductor hub along a length of the mandrel while the mandrel rotates causing the conductors to coil around the mandrel.

The abstract as published by the patent office, from US2018169404A1. It describes the invention; it is not a statement of what is protected.

• Interface and electrodes

  Electrodes and arrays · Peripheral interfaces

• Packaging

  Packaging and hermeticity · Connectors and feedthroughs

• Telemetry

  Wireless telemetry

What the filing appears to be about, read by published rules from its title, abstract and classification codes (A61B2560/0214, A61B2560/0443, A61B2562/043, A61B2562/125, A61B2562/182). The claims define what a patent protects, and they are not read here.

Interface and electrodes

Everything downstream works with what the contacts pick up. Their number, size and distance from the neurons set the ceiling on the signal. The problem behind it: more contacts, closer to neurons, that still record after years in tissue that reacts to them.

Packaging

Body fluid destroys unprotected electronics. An implant meant to last has to stay sealed for years while passing every channel through its wall. The problem behind it: a seal that lasts as long as the patient needs it, at a size that leaves room for the channels.

Telemetry

Thousands of channels produce more data than a low-power radio can carry raw, so what is sent, and how, decides what the system can use. The problem behind it: high data rates at low power through tissue, reliably and securely.

Why the layer matters to the field, not a judgement of this filing. A patent family shows that protection was sought. It does not show that the technology was built, is used in a product, or works in people. The whole stack

One invention, published 10 times in 4 offices. Each publication opens in Espacenet.

• United StatesUS2018169404A121 Jun 2018US2018169415A121 Jun 2018US10610680B27 Apr 2020 · grantUS10940309B29 Mar 2021 · grantUS2021146125A120 May 2021US11559681B224 Jan 2023 · grant
• International (PCT)a route to several countries, not a countryWO2018112370A121 Jun 2018
• ChinaCN110087725A2 Aug 2019CN110087725B31 Oct 2023 · grant
• European Patent Officea route to several countries, not a countryEP3554625A123 Oct 2019

1. 16 Dec 2016First filingEarliest priority, at United States. The family is counted in this year.
2. 15 Dec 2017ApplicationsFiled at United States, International (PCT), China, European Patent Office.
3. 15 Dec 2017Owner recordedUnited States, on US2018169404A1: assignment; owner named: MEDTRONIC, INC., MINNESOTA.
4. 21 Jun 2018First publicationUS2018169404A1, United States.
5. 28 Jan 2021ApplicationFiled at United States.
6. 9 Mar 2022Office recordEuropean Patent Office, on EP3554625A1: application deemed to be withdrawn.
7. 24 Jan 2023Grant publishedUS11559681B2, United States.
8. 31 Oct 2023Grant publishedCN110087725B, China.

Dates as the offices published them. Office records are in the offices' own words and are a selection: refusals, lapses and withdrawals, and records that name an owner. Each concerns one member of the family, not the family as a whole, and another member in the same office may stand. Whether a patent is in force today is not assessed.

Organisation

Medtronic · 40 families identified

• Bibliographic data, family members and office records: European Patent Office, Open Patent Services (the DOCDB and INPADOC databases), read 7 Oct 2026.
• The record itself, with its claims and description: US2018169404A1 in Espacenet
• Counted as a BCI patent family: classified A61B5/293 (invasive electrodes for brain recording); filed by Medtronic, Inc., an organisation already in the graph; cites a family already accepted. How families are found and judged