Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A body implantable electrode lead, comprising: an elongated insulative lead body having a proximal end and a distal end; an electrical conductor mounted within said lead body, having a proximal end and a distal end; an electrical connector mounted to the proximal end of said lead body and electrically coupled to said electrical conductor; electrode means for contacting body tissue along an exterior surface of said electrode, said electrode mounted to said lead body and electrically coupled to the proximal end of said electrical conductor, said electrode having a cavity therein open to said exterior surface; and dehydrated molecular sieve material mounted within said cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A body implantable electrode lead, comprising: an elongated insulative lead body having a proximal end and a distal end; an electrical conductor mounted within said lead body, having a proximal end and a distal end; an electrical connector mounted to the proximal end of said lead body and electrically coupled to said electrical conductor; electrode means for contacting body tissue along an exterior surface of said electrode, said electrode mounted to said lead body and electrically coupled to the proximal end of said electrical conductor, said electrode having a cavity therein open to said exterior surface; and dehydrated molecular sieve material mounted within said cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A lead according to claim 1, further comprising: a polar drug adsorbed on said dehydrated molecular sieve material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A lead according to claim 1, further comprising: a polar drug absorbed within said molecular sieve material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A lead according to claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said electrode has a bore connecting the cavity of said electrode to said exterior surface of said electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A lead according to claim 4 further comprising retaining means for retaining said molecular sieve material within the cavity of said electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A lead according to claim 5 wherein said retaining means comprises a porous material and wherein said molecular sieve material comprises a powder having particles larger than the pore size of said porous material.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of manufacturing an electrode, comprising the steps of: fabricating an electrode having an exterior surface, an internal cavity, a first bore extending from said cavity to said exterior surface, a retainer having pores mounted across said first bore, and a second bore connecting said cavity to the exterior of said electrode; dehydrating a molecular sieve material having a particle size larger than the pore size of said retainer; and loading said dehydrated molecular sieve material into said cavity via said second bore of said electrode.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of manufacturing an electrode, comprising the steps of: fabricating an electrode having an exterior surface, an internal cavity, a first bore extending from said cavity to said exterior surface, a retainer having pores mounted across said first bore, and a second bore connecting said cavity to the exterior of said electrode; dehydrating a molecular sieve material having a particle size larger than the pore size of said retainer; and loading said dehydrated molecular sieve material into said cavity via said second bore of said electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said fabricating step includes providing said electrode with a layer of pierceable material extending over said second bore and wherein said loading step comprises piercing said pierceable material with a sharpened, tubular instrument having an internal bore and loading said molecular sieve particles via said internal bore.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of manufacturing an implantable electrode, comprising the steps of: fabricating an electrode having an internal cavity, an exterior surface, a first bore open to said exterior surface and to said internal cavity, a retainer having pores mounted across said bore and a dehydrated cavity containing molecular sieve material having particle size greater than the pore size of said retainer, mounted within said internal cavity of said electrode; dissolving a drug having a polar portion smaller than the cavity size of said molecular sieve material in a non-polar solvent; and soaking said electrode in said non-polar solvent in which said drug has been dissolved.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of manufacturing an implantable electrode, comprising the steps of: fabricating an electrode having an internal cavity, an exterior surface, a first bore open to said exterior surface and to said internal cavity, a retainer having pores mounted across said bore and a dehydrated cavity containing molecular sieve material having particle size greater than the pore size of said retainer, mounted within said internal cavity of said electrode; dissolving a drug having a polar portion smaller than the cavity size of said molecular sieve material in a non-polar solvent; and soaking said electrode in said non-polar solvent in which said drug has been dissolved.