Abstract: A system and method enables delivery of an implantable medical lead to an implant location. A delivery tool of the system defines the delivery angle of the lead at the implant location. The delivery tool includes an elongate body having at least one lumen extending from a distal portion to a proximal portion. A suction cup is coupled to the distal portion of the elongate body. The suction cup may be configured to be collapsible in a first configuration, prior to deployment, and expandable in a second configuration. The system may include a suction source for drawing tissue at the implant location into the suction cup of the delivery tool that is disposed at the distal portion. The delivery angle of the lead tip is based on the interior cavity of the suction cup rather than the angle of insertion with the suctioned tissue.

Abstract: An implantable passive fixation lead is disclosed. The passive fixation lead comprises an elongate lead body having at least one elongate conductive element. The lead body includes a proximal end and a distal end. A support member has a first surface and a second surface. The second surface is coupled to the distal end of the lead body. A linking material is coupled to the first surface of the support member. A bioadhesive material is coupled to the linking material. A removable cover is placed over the bioadhesive material.

Abstract: A system and method enables delivery of an implantable medical lead to an implant location. A delivery tool of the system defines the delivery angle of the lead at the implant location. The delivery tool includes an elongate body having at least one lumen extending from a distal portion to a proximal portion. A suction cup is coupled to the distal portion of the elongate body. The suction cup may be configured to be collapsible in a first configuration, prior to deployment, and expandable in a second configuration. The system may include a suction source for drawing tissue at the implant location into the suction cup of the delivery tool that is disposed at the distal portion. The delivery angle of the lead tip is based on the interior cavity of the suction cup rather than the angle of insertion with the suctioned tissue.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure pertain to methods and apparatus for providing positive fixation of medical components to a portion of incised pericardial tissue. Accordingly, a resilient member protrudes through an incision in the pericardium and produces a positive biasing force to adjacent pericardial tissue against a side surface of an attached body structure. The resilient member can optionally be compressed during implantation and then relaxed to thereafter provide the positive biasing force. Diverse medical components can thus be safely and reliably chronically deployed into the pericardial space, including without limitation, cardiac sensing/pacing, defibrillation and/or cardioversion electrodes, mechanical and/or metabolic sensors and the like. More than one body structure can be linked to a single medical electrical lead and the medical components can couple within and/or upon a portion of the body structure, the resilient member, and the lead in myriad configurations.

Abstract: An implantable passive fixation lead is disclosed. The passive fixation lead comprises an elongate lead body having at least one elongate conductive element. The lead body includes a proximal end and a distal end. A support member has a first surface and a second surface. The second surface is coupled to the distal end of the lead body. A linking material is coupled to the first surface of the support member. A bioadhesive material is coupled to the linking material. A removable cover is placed over the bioadhesive material.

Abstract: Elongated medical instruments adapted to be permanently or temporarily implanted in the mammalian body or used to access a site in the body to facilitate introduction of a further medical device, and methods and apparatus for deflecting the distal end and imparting curves in distal segments of such medical instruments within the body by manipulation of a proximal segment of the instrument outside the body are disclosed. Multiple portions of distal segments of a single one or distal segments of coaxially arranged distal segments of deflectable coiled wires are formed each having a line of spacers each functioning as a backbone along a side of the wire coil and formed in a variety of ways. One or more elongated movable wire extends through a coil lumen to one or more attachment point distal to each portion that can be pushed to widen and/or pulled to narrow the spacing of coil turns across the coil diameter from the line to induce a bend in all more proximal portions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a medical lead that includes a pivot element. The pivot element is disposed between a distal electrode and the body of the lead so that the distal electrode can move laterally relative to the lead body. In various embodiments, the pivot element can comprise a hinge element, a double-hinge element, a ball joint element, or the like. The distal electrode may comprise a helical element that can be implanted in tissue. Following implantation of the electrode, the pivot element can reduce stress on tissue surrounding the implantation site, and can decrease the chance of dislodgement of the electrode.

Abstract: Elongated medical instruments adapted to be permanently or temporarily implanted in the mammalian body or used to access a site in the body to facilitate introduction of a further medical device, and methods and apparatus for deflecting the distal end and imparting curves in distal segments of such medical instruments within the body by manipulation of a proximal segment of the instrument outside the body are disclosed. Multiple portions of distal segments of a single one or distal segments of coaxially arranged distal segments of deflectable coiled wires are formed each having a line of spacers each functioning as a backbone along a side of the wire coil and formed in a variety of ways. One or more elongated movable wire extends through a coil lumen to one or more attachment point distal to each portion that can be pushed to widen and/or pulled to narrow the spacing of coil turns across the coil diameter from the line to induce a bend in all more proximal portions.

Abstract: A system for providing electrical stimulation to the trigeminal nerve through a lead. The lead features a lead body, a coupling for connecting a lead into a medical stimulator and a distal electrode assembly. The electrode assembly features a pair of oppositely disposed curved semi-circular cuffs disposed to conform a lumen therethrough. The ends of each cuff are mounted into a resilient hinge disposed upon the distal end of the lead body. The hinge biases the cuffs towards one another in such a manner that the lumen is maintained patent such that the nerve will remain therein. The hinge is further designed so as to be easily opened so as to spread the cuffs apart. Hinge opening is accomplished through a specialized implant tool, the implant tool being a generally cylindrical tube designed to meet about the lead body. A divergence in the lead body near the hinge permits the implant tool to engage the lead body in that section and thus forces the cuffs apart.

Abstract: A system and method for providing electrical and/or fluid treatment within a patient's brain, the system and method utilizing a feedthrough assembly made of a compressible material, and a disk-like pinch-on part, or resilient clamping part, which is secured around the feedthrough assembly to provide radially inward compressive force to reliably fix the lead after it has been positioned relative to the patient's skull. The feedthrough assembly is suitably made of a compressible biocompatible material such as silicone rubber, and has a annular receiving groove which is located so that it is accessible above the cranium after the feedthrough assembly is fixed within a burr hole in the patient's head. The pinch-on part, or clamping means is manufactured in a normally closed position, but can be opened, as by use of a forceps-type instrument, for positioning around the assembly annular groove.