US Patent 7844345 Drug eluting lead systems

Medical electrical lead systems and related methods are described. The lead systems may be configured to be at least partially implanted in neural tissue of a subject, such as a brain of a subject. Some variations of the lead systems may comprise a lead body, an electrode connected to the lead body, and a bioactive agent. The electrode and/or lead body may comprise a substrate, and the bioactive agent may be supported by the substrate (e.g., by a substantial portion of the area of the substrate). Examples of bioactive agents that may be used in the lead system include antiproliferative agents, bactericidal agents, bacteriostatic agents, antiepileptic agents, and/or antifungal agents. Methods described herein may comprise coating a lead body and/or an electrode of a medical electrical lead system with at least one bioactive agent, where the lead body and the electrode are connected to each other.