Abstract: A microlead implantable in a patient's venous, arterial or lymphatic networks for the detection and/or stimulation of tissue. The microlead has a diameter at most equal to 2 French (0.66 mm) and comprises at least one microcable (40) comprising a core cable (11) and an insulation layer (20) partially surrounding the core. The core is formed of a plurality of strands, and has a composite structure comprising a structuring material having high fatigue resistance, and a radiopaque material. A denuded area (30) is formed in the isolation layer (20) so as to form at least one electrode for stimulation detection. The microlead is shaped at the electrodes (30) according to at least one electrical contact and mechanical stabilization preshape, and has a gradual decrease of rigidity along the microlead between its proximal portion and its distal portion.

Abstract: A screwless quick connection system for connecting a lead connector to a generator of an active implantable medical device is shown and described. The connector head includes a housing receiving a plug of a lead connector. A mechanism for locking the plug into the housing is provided by a U-folded leaf spring. Each branch of the U is provided with a respective hole sized so that the plug passes through the holes on both branches when it is inserted into the housing. The blade is deformable between a free state, in the absence of plug, and a deformed state, with the plug inserted therein. In the free state, both holes are misaligned, while in the deformed state they are aligned. In this way, an edge of both holes exerts by reaction a radial stress force against the smooth outer surface of the plug inserted therein.

Abstract: A screwless quick connection system for connecting a lead connector to a generator of an active implantable medical device. The connector head includes a housing (16, 18) receiving a plug (22) of a lead connector. A mechanism for locking the plug into the housing is provided by a U-folded leaf spring (30). Each branch of the U is provided with a respective hole sized so that the plug (22) passes through the holes on both branches when it is inserted into the housing. The blade is deformable between a free state, in the absence of plug, and a deformed state, with the plug inserted therein. In the free state, both holes are misaligned, while in the deformed state they are aligned. In this way, an edge of both holes exerts by reaction a radial stress force against the smooth outer surface of the plug inserted therein. A pushbutton flange (40) unlocks the system by a support maneuver on only one side of the connector head.

Abstract: Leads for use with implantable medical devices are provided. One microlead is intended to be implanted in the venous, arterial, or lymphatic networks. Its diameter may be at most equal to 1.5 French (0.5 mm), and it may include a plurality of micro-cables each including: an electrically conductive core cable for connection to one pole of a multipolar generator of an active implantable medical device, and a polymer insulation layer surrounding the core cable. At least one exposed area may be formed in the insulation layer to form a detection/stimulation electrode.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a multipolar lead for implantation in a venous, arterial, or lymphatic network, and for use with an electric stimulation or detection device. The invention includes at least two microcables, each having a central conductor for connection to the electric stimulation or detection device. The invention further includes a first ring having at least two lumens, each sized to receive a microcable of the at least two microcables, wherein one of the at least two lumens is a connection lumen which receives a first microcable of the at least two microcables. The ring further includes a connection element movable into the connection lumen to pierce a sheath of the first microcable and to press into the central conductor of the first microcable received by the connection lumen, electrically connecting at least a portion of the first ring to the central conductor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a detection/stimulation lead for implantation into a venous, arterial, or lymphatic network is shown and described. The method includes providing a microcable comprising a sheath of insulating material covering an electrically conductive core. The method further includes surrounding a portion of the microcable with an electrically conductive metal ring. The method also includes crimping the ring such that the thickness of the sheath is penetrated by a portion of the metal ring and such that an electrical connection is formed between the metal ring and the electrically conductive core.

Abstract: A microlead implantable in a patient's venous, arterial or lymphatic networks for the detection and/or stimulation of tissue. The microlead has a diameter at most equal to 2 French (0.66 mm) and comprises at least one microcable (40) comprising a core cable (11) and an insulation layer (20) partially surrounding the core. The core is formed of a plurality of strands, and has a composite structure comprising a structuring material having high fatigue resistance, and a radiopaque material. A denuded area (30) is formed in the isolation layer (20) so as to form at least one electrode for stimulation detection. The microlead is shaped at the electrodes (30) according to at least one electrical contact and mechanical stabilization preshape, and has a gradual decrease of rigidity along the microlead between its proximal portion and its distal portion.

Abstract: A lead for an implantable cardiac prosthesis, with protection against the thermal effects of MRI fields by terminating the lead head (10) with an electrically insulating tubular outer housing (28) and an anchoring mechanism. The tubular housing (28) carries an electrically isolated thermally conductive solid part in the outer region of its distal end forming a heat sink. The heat sink thermally conductive material is for example titanium, associated with an electrically insulating coating such as a diamond deposition. The anchor may be a projecting helical anchoring screw (20), axially extending the tubular housing, which is an electrically conductive active screw on at least one end portion.

Abstract: A screwless quick connection system for connecting a lead connector to a generator of an active implantable medical device. The connector head includes a housing (16, 18) receiving a plug (22) of a lead connector. A mechanism for locking the plug into the housing is provided by a U-folded leaf spring (30). Each branch of the U is provided with a respective hole sized so that the plug (22) passes through the holes on both branches when it is inserted into the housing. The blade is deformable between a free state, in the absence of plug, and a deformed state, with the plug inserted therein. In the free state, both holes are misaligned, while in the deformed state they are aligned. In this way, an edge of both holes exerts by reaction a radial stress force against the smooth outer surface of the plug inserted therein. A pushbutton flange (40) unlocks the system by a support maneuver on only one side of the connector head.

Abstract: A kit for penetrating the cardiac septum and for the placement of a trans-septal device, in particular of a stimulation probe, in a left heart cavity. This kit includes a penetration guide (16), a handling stylet, a piercing stylet (38) and a guiding stylet (46). The penetration guide (16) comprises a probe body with a flexible hollow sheath (22) successively receiving these stylets, and a probe-head (18, 24) having an extendable helicoid screw (20) for anchoring to the wall of the septum (10). The piercing stylet (38) presents a sharp distal extremity (44) emerging from the frontal face, through the anchor (20), over a distance at least equal to the local thickness of the septum (10), so as to traverse through the septum. A guiding stylet will be then introduced into the sheath to form, after withdrawal of the penetration guide (16), an axial guide traversing the septum, for the introduction therethrough of a trans-septal device.

Abstract: A kit for penetrating the cardiac septum and for the placement of a trans-septal device, in particular of a stimulation probe, in a left heart cavity. This kit includes a penetration guide (16), a handling stylet, a piercing stylet (38) and a guiding stylet (56). The penetration guide (16) comprises a probe body with a flexible hollow sheath (22) successively receiving these stylets, and a probe-head (18, 24) having an extendable helicoid screw (20) for anchoring to the wall of the septum (10). The piercing stylet (38) presents a sharp distal extremity (44) emerging from the frontal face, through the anchor (20), over a distance at least equal to the local thickness of the septum (10), so as to traverse through the septum. A guiding stylet will be then introduced into the sheath to form, after withdrawal of the penetration guide (16), an axial guide traversing the septum, for the introduction therethrough of a trans-septal device.

Abstract: A dismountable connector head for an active implantable medical device such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, and/or cardioverter. The device includes a case (12) comprising on one of its faces a series of emerging insulating traverse (16) structures bearing conducting feed-through leads (14), connected to the internal circuits of the case, and a connector head (10) made of an insulating rigid material, able to receive the terminals of electrical contact. A mechanical connection component (24) is used to solidarize the case with the connector head. The connection component is a removable component able to allow the separation (dismounting) of the connector head from the case after solidarisation of the two parts. The connection component can in particular be an elastically deformable clamp (24), cooperating by two opposed ends with a peripheral groove in the insulating traverses (16) bearing the conducting feed-through leads (14), or a pin similarly engaging a groove in the insulating traverse.

Abstract: A probe for the stimulation of the left heart which is implantable in the coronary venus system. The probe is particularly useful for an active implantable medical device, in particular, pacemakers of the “multisite” type. The probe has a body, including a hollow sheath which elastically deformable and primarily deprived of any rigid element. The probe body has a distal extremity (34) which supports at least one stimulation electrode (54), and a stylet which is removable, and is able to be introduced inside the probe body and moveable in translation and rotation inside the probe body. The stylet is relatively rigid compared to the sheath and plastically deformable locally. The distal extremity (34) of the probe has, in the absence of stress, two curves, comprised in two distinct surfaces. The first surface (62) corresponds to an orientation curve laid down by a preform of the probe body.

Abstract: A dismountable connector head for an active implantable medical device such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, and/or cardioverter. The device includes a case (12) comprising on one of its faces a series of emerging insulating traverse (16) structures bearing conducting feed-through leads (14), connected to the internal circuits of the case, and a connector head (10) made of an insulating rigid material, able to receive the terminals of electrical contact. A mechanical connection component (24) is used to solidarize the case with the connector head. The connection component is a removable component able to allow the separation (dismounting) of the connector head from the case after solidarisation of the two parts. The connection component can in particular be an elastically deformable clamp (24), cooperating by two opposed ends with a peripheral groove in the insulating traverses (16) bearing the conducting feed-through leads (14), or a pin similarly engaging a groove in the insulating traverse.