Abstract: An implantable medical electrical lead includes a plurality of conductors that extend continuously, without any intermediary junctions, between a plurality of electrodes and a corresponding plurality of contact members of an in-line connector terminal. A junction between each conductor and the corresponding contact member is preferably formed by first fitting a conductive sleeve, which is coupled to a proximal portion of the conductor, into an eyelet feature of the contact member, which is mounted on a strut member, and then welding the sleeve to the contact member at a pre-formed slot of the contact member, which extends along an external recessed surface thereof. The assembly of the connector terminal preferably completes the construction of the lead, wherein the proximal portion of each conductor is positioned in a helical path, which extends between an elongate body of the lead and the connector terminal, and along which a grip zone is formed.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead may include a lead body formed to define a first lumen extending from the proximal end to a location near the distal end and having a first central axis. The lead includes an electrode located near the distal end of the lead body and an energy dissipating structure located near the distal end of the lead body, the energy dissipating structure including a conductive main portion that defines a second lumen having a second central axis that is offset relative to the first central axis of the first lumen defined by the lead body and a conductive transition portion that extends towards the first lumen defined by the lead body. A conductor contacts the energy dissipating structure within the transition portion of the energy dissipating structure to provide a substantially continuous interference contact with the energy dissipating structure.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrical lead includes a plurality of conductors that extend continuously, without any intermediary junctions, between a plurality of electrodes and a corresponding plurality of contact members of an in-line connector terminal. A junction between each conductor and the corresponding contact member is preferably formed by first fitting a conductive sleeve, which is coupled to a proximal portion of the conductor, into an eyelet feature of the contact member, which is mounted on a strut member, and then welding the sleeve to the contact member at a pre-formed slot of the contact member, which extends along an external recessed surface thereof. The assembly of the connector terminal preferably completes the construction of the lead, wherein the proximal portion of each conductor is positioned in a helical path, which extends between an elongate body of the lead and the connector terminal, and along which a grip zone is formed.

Abstract: A connector sleeve includes a lumen adapted to receive a medical lead connector wherein a retention element engages a retention edge formed at a distal end of a connector element included on the lead connector. The connector sleeve further includes a contact element adapted to electrically engage the lead connector element within the lumen and an external conductive surface electrically coupled to the contact element and adapted for electrical engagement within the connector bore of an implantable medical device.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrical lead includes a plurality of conductors that extend continuously, without any intermediary junctions, between a plurality of electrodes and a corresponding plurality of contact members of an in-line connector terminal. A junction between each conductor and the corresponding contact member is preferably formed by first fitting a conductive sleeve, which is coupled to a proximal portion of the conductor, into an eyelet feature of the contact member, which is mounted on a strut member, and then welding the sleeve to the contact member at a pre-formed slot of the contact member, which extends along an external recessed surface thereof. The assembly of the connector terminal preferably completes the construction of the lead, wherein the proximal portion of each conductor is positioned in a helical path, which extends between an elongate body of the lead and the connector terminal, and along which a grip zone is formed.

Abstract: An implantable medical device that includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, a helical fixation member extending from the distal end of the elongated body, the helical fixation member including a distal tip for affixing the distal end of the elongated body at an implant site, and a tracking member extending from the distal end of the elongated body, through the helical fixation member and outward from the distal tip of the helical fixation member for tracking along an implant pathway during implantation of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: An implantable medical device that includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, a helical fixation member extending from the distal end of the elongated body, the helical fixation member including a distal tip for affixing the distal end of the elongated body at an implant site, and a tracking member extending from the distal end of the elongated body, through the helical fixation member and outward from the distal tip of the helical fixation member for tracking along an implant pathway during implantation of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrical lead includes a plurality of conductors that extend continuously, without any intermediary junctions, between a plurality of electrodes and a corresponding plurality of contact members of an in-line connector terminal. A junction between each conductor and the corresponding contact member is preferably formed by first fitting a conductive sleeve, which is coupled to a proximal portion of the conductor, into an eyelet feature of the contact member, which is mounted on a strut member, and then welding the sleeve to the contact member at a pre-formed slot of the contact member, which extends along an external recessed surface thereof. The assembly of the connector terminal preferably completes the construction of the lead, wherein the proximal portion of each conductor is positioned in a helical path, which extends between an elongate body of the lead and the connector terminal, and along which a grip zone is formed.

Abstract: An implantable medical device that includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, a helical fixation member extending from the distal end of the elongated body, the helical fixation member including a distal tip for affixing the distal end of the elongated body at an implant site, and a tracking member extending from the distal end of the elongated body, through the helical fixation member and outward from the distal tip of the helical fixation member for tracking along an implant pathway during implantation of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead configured for active fixation in the vasculature of a patient includes an elongated lead body having a central lumen and a distal tip. Disposed within the central lumen are a fixation helix and an elongated member, such as a lead coil, coupled to the fixation helix. The elongated member is adapted to rotate the fixation helix, thereby causing it to advance or retract within the central lumen of the lead body. The lead body includes a window along a portion of its length through which the fixation helix may be affixed to a blood vessel of the patient's vasculature.

Abstract: An improved medical lead assembly and method of use is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body, and a spring member positioned adjacent to the lead body. The spring member may be deployed a selectable amount to maintain the lead body in a fixed location within a patient's body. The spring member may be an expandable coil, a mesh structure that is similar to a stent, or any other similar device that may be positioned in a low-profile state during a lead implant procedure. After the lead is positioned at a target destination, the spring member may be deployed an amount that is selected based on the characteristics of the surrounding tissue, including vessel size. According to one aspect of the invention, the lead assembly may provide means for facilitating chronic lead extraction.

Abstract: A distal section of an implantable medical electrical lead body includes a pair of pre-formed arcuate segments between which an approximately straight segment extends. The approximately straight segment includes a first portion extending distally from a first of the pair pre-formed arcuate segments, a second portion extending from the first portion, a third portion extending from the second to a second of the pair pre-formed arcuate segments. An electrode is coupled to the second portion of the approximately straight segment, and the adjacent first portion has a stiffness which is less than that of the first of the pair pre-formed arcuate segments and preferably less than the stiffness of the third portion, so that, when the distal section of the lead body is implanted, for example, within a cardiac vein, the lead buckles to bring the electrode into closer contact with surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead includes a proximal insulation segment, a distal insulation segment, a conductor extending within the proximal and distal segments, and an electrode coupled to the conductor and disposed in proximity to a distal end of the distal insulation segment. A fixation element of the lead is coupled to a distal end of the proximal insulation segment and includes a wire wound in a helix, which extends distally from the proximal segment, over the distal insulation segment.

Abstract: An improved medical lead assembly and method of use is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body, and a spring member positioned adjacent to the lead body. The spring member may be deployed a selectable amount to maintain the lead body in a fixed location within a patient's body. The spring member may be an expandable coil, a mesh structure that is similar to a stent, or any other similar device that may be positioned in a low-profile state during a lead implant procedure. After the lead is positioned at a target destination, the spring member may be deployed an amount that is selected based on the characteristics of the surrounding tissue, including vessel size. According to one aspect of the invention, the lead assembly may provide means for facilitating chronic lead extraction.

Abstract: An improved medical lead assembly and method of use is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body, and a spring member positioned adjacent to the lead body. The spring member may be deployed a selectable amount to maintain the lead body in a fixed location within a patient's body. The spring member may be an expandable coil, a mesh structure that is similar to a stent, or any other similar device that may be positioned in a low-profile state during a lead implant procedure. After the lead is positioned at a target destination, the spring member may be deployed an amount that is selected based on the characteristics of the surrounding tissue, including vessel size. According to one aspect of the invention, the lead assembly may provide means for facilitating chronic lead extraction.

Abstract: A distal section of an implantable medical electrical lead body includes a pair of pre-formed arcuate segments between which an approximately straight segment extends. The approximately straight segment includes a first portion extending distally from a first of the pair pre-formed arcuate segments, a second portion extending from the first portion, a third portion extending from the second to a second of the pair pre-formed arcuate segments. An electrode is coupled to the second portion of the approximately straight segment, and the adjacent first portion has a stiffness which is less than that of the first of the pair pre-formed arcuate segments and preferably less than the stiffness of the third portion, so that, when the distal section of the lead body is implanted, for example, within a cardiac vein, the lead buckles to bring the electrode into closer contact with surrounding tissue.

Abstract: An implantable medical device that includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, a helical fixation member extending from the distal end of the elongated body, the helical fixation member including a distal tip for affixing the distal end of the elongated body at an implant site, and a tracking member extending from the distal end of the elongated body, through the helical fixation member and outward from the distal tip of the helical fixation member for tracking along an implant pathway during implantation of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: A distal tip coupled to a body of an implantable medical device includes a canted passageway extending distally from a lumen of the body and an opening terminating the passageway and positioned in proximity to a distal end of the distal tip; a helical fixation element coupled to an elongated member extending within the lumen of the body is adapted to deflect along the canted passageway of the distal tip. The elongated member is adapted to move the helical member through the passageway of the distal tip and out from the opening and to rotate the helical element thereby affixing the helical element into an implant site.

Abstract: A lead for delivering electrical signals to and/or receive electrical signals from a human heart that includes a solid inner conductor, and a fixation device having a titanium nitride coated surface and electrically coupled to the inner conductor. A steroid is applied to the titanium nitride surface of the fixation device, and at least one layer of insulation is positioned around the inner conductor. A conductive coil is positioned around and is insulated from the inner conductor, an electrode ring electrically coupled to the conductive coil is positioned around and is electrically isolated from the inner conductor, and an insulating spacer is positioned between and electrically isolates the ring electrode and the fixation device.

Abstract: An improved medical lead assembly and method of use is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body, and a spring member positioned adjacent to the lead body. The spring member may be deployed a selectable amount to maintain the lead body in a fixed location within a patient's body. The spring member may be an expandable coil, a mesh structure that is similar to a stent, or any other similar device that may be positioned in a low-profile state during a lead implant procedure. After the lead is positioned at a target destination, the spring member may be deployed an amount that is selected based on the characteristics of the surrounding tissue, including vessel size. According to one aspect of the invention, the lead assembly may provide means for facilitating chronic lead extraction.