Abstract: One aspect is a method of forming a lead for implantation. The method includes forming a distal end assembly, forming a proximal end assembly, and forming a flexible circuit coupling the distal end assembly to the proximal end assembly. The distal end assembly, the proximal end assembly and the flexible circuit are formed over an inner member. An outer member is placed over the combination of the distal end assembly, the proximal end assembly and the flexible circuit. The outer member and circuit are fused adjacent the distal end assembly to the proximal end assembly.

Abstract: One aspect is a bi- or multipolar lead for a medical device including: a) a cable comprising an outer insulation having at least two first openings near a distal end of the cable; an inner lumen, wherein the inner lumen is arranged coaxially to the outer insulation and extends in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to the distal end of the cable; at least two conducting channels, wherein the at least two conducting channels are arranged between the outer insulation and the inner lumen of the cable, wherein each one of the at least two conducting channels is formed by at least one insulated conductor comprising a conductor and an insulation layer, and wherein the insulation layer of the at least one insulated conductor of each one of the at least two conducting channels comprises a second opening, which is aligned with one of the at least two first openings; b) at least two ring electrodes, wherein each one of the at least two ring electrodes surrounds the cable at a position of one of the at least tw

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to medical catheters, including electrophysiological catheters, comprising a catheter maintaining at least one electrode including a plurality of electrode segments. The catheter can include a plurality of slots in which the electrodes can be secured so that the electrodes are at least partially positioned within a center lumen of the catheter. Methods of manufacturing medical catheters are also disclosed. In various methods of assembling a catheter, a hollow, tubular catheter made of a compliant material having a very small, micro or nano outside diameter is provided. Then, the slots are formed in the catheter and the electrode segments are positioned within the slots.

Abstract: One aspect relates to a catheter system, a use of such catheter system and a manufacturing method for such catheter system. The catheter system includes an at least partially flexible catheter body, at least a ring electrode, and at least a strain gauge. The ring electrode surrounds at least a portion of the flexible catheter body. The strain gauge is allocated to the ring electrode and the strain gauge is configured to measure a deformation of the flexible catheter body at a position allocated to the ring electrode to detect a contact between the ring electrode and tissue.

Abstract: One aspect is a bi- or multipolar lead for a medical device including: a) a cable comprising an outer insulation having at least two first openings near a distal end of the cable; an inner lumen, wherein the inner lumen is arranged coaxially to the outer insulation and extends in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to the distal end of the cable; at least two conducting channels, wherein the at least two conducting channels are arranged between the outer insulation and the inner lumen of the cable, wherein each one of the at least two conducting channels is formed by at least one insulated conductor comprising a conductor and an insulation layer, and wherein the insulation layer of the at least one insulated conductor of each one of the at least two conducting channels comprises a second opening, which is aligned with one of the at least two first openings; b) at least two ring electrodes, wherein each one of the at least two ring electrodes surrounds the cable at a position of one of the at least tw

Abstract: One aspect is a method of forming a lead for implantation. The method includes forming a distal end assembly, forming a proximal end assembly, and forming a flexible circuit coupling the distal end assembly to the proximal end assembly. The distal end assembly, the proximal end assembly and the flexible circuit are formed over an inner member. An outer member is placed over the combination of the distal end assembly, the proximal end assembly and the flexible circuit. The outer member and circuit are fused adjacent the distal end assembly to the proximal end assembly.

Abstract: One aspect is a manufacturing method including providing at least a first electrically conductive wire with an electrical insulation and a second electrically conductive wire with an electrical insulation, providing a first and a second ring electrode surrounding the wires, electrically connecting the first ring electrode with the first wire and the second ring electrode with the second wire, bundling the ring electrodes and the wires by means of a first sheath surrounding the ring electrodes and the wires to obtain a first ring electrode component, providing a second ring electrode component, bundling the ring electrode components by means of a second sheath surrounding the ring electrode components, and partially removing the first and the second sheaths from the ring electrodes to expose ring electrode portions.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to medical catheters, including electrophysiological catheters, comprising a catheter maintaining at least one electrode including a plurality of electrode segments. The catheter can include a plurality of slots in which the electrodes can be secured so that the electrodes are at least partially positioned within a center lumen of the catheter. Methods of manufacturing medical catheters are also disclosed. In various methods of assembling a catheter, a hollow, tubular catheter made of a compliant material having a very small, micro or nano outside diameter is provided. Then, the slots are formed in the catheter and the electrode segments are positioned within the slots.

Abstract: One aspect is a manufacturing method including providing at least a first electrically conductive wire with an electrical insulation and a second electrically conductive wire with an electrical insulation, providing a first and a second ring electrode surrounding the wires, electrically connecting the first ring electrode with the first wire and the second ring electrode with the second wire, bundling the ring electrodes and the wires by means of a first sheath surrounding the ring electrodes and the wires to obtain a first ring electrode component, providing a second ring electrode component, bundling the ring electrode components by means of a second sheath surrounding the ring electrode components, and partially removing the first and the second sheaths from the ring electrodes to expose ring electrode portions.

Abstract: One aspect relates to a catheter system, a use of such catheter system and a manufacturing method for such catheter system. The catheter system includes an at least partially flexible catheter body, at least a ring electrode, and at least a strain gauge. The ring electrode surrounds at least a portion of the flexible catheter body. The strain gauge is allocated to the ring electrode and the strain gauge is configured to measure a deformation of the flexible catheter body at a position allocated to the ring electrode to detect a contact between the ring electrode and tissue.

Abstract: A medical lead for implantation includes an electrode assembly having a plurality of electrodes. Each of the plurality of electrodes include a plurality of electrode segments. Each electrode segment has a flexible conductor directly coupled to it. A strut is coupled within each of the plurality of electrodes such that each of the flexible conductors coupled to the plurality of electrode segments are supported between the strut and each of the plurality of electrodes by the strut. An insulator fills gaps between the plurality of electrodes, the strut and the flexible conductors.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for optimizing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may include one or more of the following steps: (a) conducting a baseline measurement of a physical parameter of a patient before initiating CRT, (b) performing an implantation process including implanting a pacing device and pacing leads in the patient, the pacing device and pacing leads for providing the CRT, (c) initiating CRT on the patient, (d) measuring the physical parameter of the patient after initiation of the CRT, (e) comparing the measured physical parameter after initiation of the CRT to the baseline measure of the physical parameter to analyze the patient's response to the CRT, (f) adjusting the CRT during the implantation process to try and improve the patient's response to the CRT, and (g) repositioning at least one of the patient leads during the implantation process to try and improve the patient's response to the CRT.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead includes a conductive component coupling a coil to a wire or cable; the conductive component includes a first side, a second side, a first groove formed in the first side and a second groove formed in the second side. The first groove holds a portion of the cable and the second groove holds a portion of the coil.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for optimizing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may include one or more of the following steps: (a) conducting a baseline measurement of a physical parameter of a patient before initiating CRT, (b) performing an implantation process including implanting a pacing device and pacing leads in the patient, the pacing device and pacing leads for providing the CRT, (c) initiating CRT on the patient, (d) measuring the physical parameter of the patient after initiation of the CRT, (e) comparing the measured physical parameter after initiation of the CRT to the baseline measure of the physical parameter to analyze the patient's response to the CRT, (f) adjusting the CRT during the implantation process to try and improve the patient's response to the CRT, and (g) repositioning at least one of the patient leads during the implantation process to try and improve the patient's response to the CRT.

Abstract: An isolated heart preparation in which essentially normal pumping activity of all four chambers of the heart is preserved, allowing for the use of the preparation in conjunction with investigations of electrode leads, catheters, cardiac implants and other medical devices intended to be used in or on a beating heart. The preparation may also be employed to investigate heart functions, in the presence or absence of such medical devices. In order to allow for visualization of heart structures and devices located within the chambers of the heart, a clear perfusate such as a modified Krebs buffer solution with oxygenation is circulated through all four chambers of the heart and the coronary vasculature. The preparation and recordings of the preparation may be used in conjunction with the design, development and evaluation of devices for use in or on the heart, as well as for use as an investigational and teaching aid to assist physicians and students in understanding the operation of the heart.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead includes a conductive component coupling a coil to a wire or cable; the conductive component includes a first side, a second side, a first groove formed in the first side and a second groove formed in the second side. The first groove holds a portion of the cable and the second groove holds a portion of the coil.

Abstract: Spiral electrodes and similar structures are manufactured using a high-pressure fluid stream. Specifically, spiral electrodes are made from tubular structures by using a high-pressure water stream to precisely cut, or etch spirals of predetermined geometries to conform to a particular current distribution and conduction requirements. In an embodiment, the high-pressure water stream is tangentially and rotatably oriented against a rotating and translating tubular element. The tangential orientation enables limited cutting or etching of the tubular surface that is only in direct contact with the high pressure stream. Various geometries and spiral structures could be formed by managing the pressure and rotation of the high-pressure water stream source and the rotation and translation of the tubular element.

Abstract: An improved lead body for implantable leads comprising a longitudinally extending core section provided with longitudinally extending grooves in which conductors are located and an outer tubular member, encasing the core and conductors.

Abstract: An implantable electrical lead having an elongated lead body carrying a conductor therein and an elongated electrode extending from the lead body and coupled to the conductor. The lead is provided with an insulative tubular sheath mounted around the electrode and slideable thereon, the sheath having a length less than that of the electrode. Optionally, the sheath is provided with a mechanism for facilitating its removal from the electrode, which may take the form of a weakened zone formed in the sheath. The lead may be provided with a plurality of insulative sheaths slidably mounted around the electrode, and each sheath is preferably provided with a mechanism for stabilizing the location of the sheath along the electrode, which mechanism may function to frictionally engage the sheath with the electrode or to compress the sheath around the electrode.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead having an elongated lead body provided with an internal longitudinally extending lumen carrying an elongated stranded or cabled conductor and an electrode coil, located on said lead body. The coil is coupled to the conductor by a conductive sleeve having a tubular portion which has an internal lumen through which the conductor passes and a groove or bore which engages only a portion of a turn or turns of the electrode coil, such that the coil is oriented generally perpendicular to the internal lumen of said sleeve and to the conductor.