Abstract: A method for allowing cardiac signals to be sensed and pacing pulse vectors to be delivered between two or more electrodes. In one embodiment, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between at least one of a first left ventricular electrode and a second left ventricular electrode. Alternatively, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrodes and a first supraventricular electrode. In addition, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrode, the first supraventricular electrode and a conductive housing. In an additional embodiment, a first right ventricular electrode is used to sense cardiac signals and provide pacing pulses with different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrodes, the first supraventricular electrode and the housing.

Abstract: Implantable devices containing extracellular matrix and methods of using the devices are provided.

Abstract: A cardiac lead system includes a cardiac lead having a lumen, and a guide member displaceable within the lumen. The guide member includes a guide wire extension that extends distal to the elongated body of the guide member. The guide wire extension is dimensioned to pass through an external distal opening of the cardiac lead lumen. Engagement of stop features or a stop mechanism of the cardiac lead system provides a push point for advancing the cardiac lead system through the patient's anatomy.

Abstract: Medical lead systems utilizing electromagnetic bandstop filters are provide which can be utilized in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment for patients who have implanted medical devices. The medical lead system includes an implanted lead having at least one bandstop filter associated therewith, for attenuating current flow through the lead over a range of frequencies. The bandstop filter has an overall circuit Q wherein the resultant 3 dB bandwidth is at least 10 kHz. The values of capacitance and inductance of the bandstop filter are selected such that the bandstop filter is resonant at a selected center frequency. Preferably, the bandstop filter has an overall circuit Q wherein the resultant 10 dB bandwidth is at least 10 kHz. Such bandstop filters are backwards compatible with known implantable deployment systems and extraction systems.

Abstract: A method for allowing cardiac signals to be sensed and pacing pulse vectors to be delivered between two or more electrodes. In one embodiment, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between at least one of a first left ventricular electrode and a second left ventricular electrode. Alternatively, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrodes and a first supraventricular electrode. In addition, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrode, the first supraventricular electrode and a conductive housing. In an additional embodiment, a first right ventricular electrode is used to sense cardiac signals and provide pacing pulses with different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrodes, the first supraventricular electrode and the housing.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for cannulating an ostium of a coronary sinus of a heart comprises an outer catheter member and an inner catheter member. The outer catheter member has a distal end portion including a deflectable distal end and a lumen extending through the deflectable distal end, wherein the distal end portion includes regions of varying stiffness and has a pre-formed curvature. The inner catheter member is slidably and rotatably disposed within the lumen of the outer catheter member, and has a distal end portion including a distal end, and a lumen extending through the distal end. The distal end portion of the inner catheter member has regions of varying stiffness and a pre-formed curvature. The outer and inner catheter members are configured such that relative translation and rotation of the outer and inner catheter members causes the distal end of the outer catheter member to assume a plurality of two and three dimensional shapes.

Abstract: Medical lead systems utilizing electromagnetic bandstop filters are provide which can be utilized in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment for patients who have implanted medical devices. Such lead systems may be advantageously used in left ventricle cardiac stimulation systems, neuro-stimulation systems, and deep brain electrodes used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. The bandstop filters, which include a tuned parallel capacitor and inductor circuit, are backwards compatible with known implantable deployment systems.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a main lead assembly having a proximal portion adapted for connection to a device and a distal portion adapted for placement in a coronary sinus, the distal portion terminating in a distal end for placement proximal a left ventricle. Additionally, the main lead assembly includes a left ventricular electrode located at its distal end which is adapted to deliver cardiac resynchronization therapy to reduce ventricular wall stress. The main lead assembly also includes a fat pad electrode disposed along the main lead assembly a distance from the distal end to position the fat pad electrode proximal to at least one parasympathetic ganglia located in a fat pad bounded by an inferior vena cava and a left atrium. The fat pad electrode is adapted to stimulate the parasympathetic ganglia to reduce ventricular wall stress.

Abstract: A method of manipulating a catheter assembly involves providing an inner catheter member movably disposed within an outer catheter member. At least a distal end portion of the inner catheter member has a stiffness greater than that of at least a distal end portion of the outer catheter member. The distal end portion of the outer catheter member includes a deflectable distal end. The method further involves advancing the inner catheter member through the outer catheter member toward the deflectable distal end of the outer catheter member, and longitudinally displacing the distal end portion of the inner catheter member relative to the deflectable distal end of the outer catheter member to alter a shape of the deflectable distal end.

Abstract: A neural stimulation system delivers neural stimulation to the vagus nerve and senses a signal indicative of laryngeal activity resulting from the neural stimulation. The signal indicative of laryngeal activity is used, for example, to guide electrode placement, determine stimulation threshold, detect lead/electrode problems, detect neural injury, and monitor healing processing following the electrode placement inside the body of a patient.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a main lead assembly having a proximal portion adapted for connection to a device and a distal portion adapted for placement in a coronary sinus, the distal portion terminating in a distal end for placement proximal a left ventricle. Additionally, the main lead assembly includes a left ventricular electrode located at its distal end which is adapted to deliver cardiac resynchronization therapy to reduce ventricular wall stress. The main lead assembly also includes a fat pad electrode disposed along the main lead assembly a distance from the distal end to position the fat pad electrode proximal to at least one parasympathetic ganglia located in a fat pad bounded by an inferior vena cava and a left atrium. The fat pad electrode is adapted to stimulate the parasympathetic ganglia to reduce ventricular wall stress.

Abstract: A neural stimulation system delivers neural stimulation to the vagus nerve and senses a signal indicative of laryngeal activity resulting from the neural stimulation. The signal indicative of laryngeal activity is used, for example, to guide electrode placement, determine stimulation threshold, detect lead/electrode problems, detect neural injury, and monitor healing processing following the electrode placement inside the body of a patient.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead employs a load bearing sleeve arrangement. A medical electrical lead includes an outer sleeve, having proximal and distal ends, and is formed of a first material. At least one electrical conductor is situated within the outer sleeve and extends between the proximal and distal ends of the outer sleeve. At least one electrode is electrically coupled to the electrical conductor. A load bearing sleeve extends between the proximal and distal ends of the outer sleeve. The load bearing sleeve is formed of a second material different from the first material. The load bearing sleeve offers resistance to axial loading forces applied to the lead. The load bearing sleeve can be coextensive with the outer sleeve or extend along at least the majority of the length of the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A system and method for navigating coronary vasculature involves use of a guide catheter system which includes a guide catheter, a navigator catheter longitudinally displaceable within the guide catheter, and a deflection arrangement provided at a distal end of the navigator catheter. The guide catheter is advanced to at least a patient's coronary sinus ostium, and the navigator catheter is extended from the guide catheter to a location proximate or within an angled vein distal to the coronary sinus ostium. Using the deflection arrangement, a guide wire passing through the navigation catheter is directed into the angled vein. A lead having an open lumen is advanced over the guide wire to direct the lead to an implant site within the angled vein.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes an outer catheter member having a distal flexible end. An inner catheter member is movably disposed within the outer catheter member. Optionally, a handle assembly is coupled with the outer catheter member and the inner catheter member, where the handle assembly is adapted to slide the inner catheter member relative to the outer catheter member.

Abstract: A lead having pre-formed biased portion is adapted for implantation on or about the heart within the coronary vasculature and for connection to a signal generator. The lead is constructed and arranged so that when it is implanted, the electrodes are housed in the coronary vasculature and are biased toward a vessel wall by the preformed biased portion, which operates to fixate the lead against the vessel wall.

Abstract: An implantable neural stimulation system includes an implantable medical device having a neural stimulation circuit and at least one implantable lead configured to allow one or more stimulation electrodes to be placed in one or more lymphatic vessels of a patient, such as the patient's thoracic duct and/or vessels branching from the thoracic duct. Neural stimulation pulses are delivered from the implantable medical device to one or more target regions adjacent to the thoracic duct or the vessels branching from the thoracic duct through the one or more stimulation electrodes.

Abstract: A seal adapted for use with medical devices is provided. The medical device may be a lead having a distal tip adapted for implantation on or about the heart and for connection to a system for monitoring or stimulating cardiac activity. The lead assembly in one embodiment includes an atraumatic tip. A seal is provided within the lead tip assembly, which prevents or limits further entry of fluids through the lead tip. The lead may be a left ventricular lead with a hemostasis mechanism provided therewithin.

Abstract: A cardiac lead system includes a cardiac lead having a lumen, and a guide member displaceable within the lumen. The guide member includes a guide wire extension that extends distal to the elongated body of the guide member. The guide wire extension is dimensioned to pass through an external distal opening of the cardiac lead lumen. Engagement of stop features or a stop mechanism of the cardiac lead system provides a push point for advancing the cardiac lead system through the patient's anatomy.

Abstract: A lead having an atraumatic tip is adapted for implantation on or about the heart within the coronary vasculature and for connection to a signal generator. The lead is constructed and arranged so that when it is implanted, the electrodes are housed in the coronary vasculature and are biased toward a vessel wall by a preformed biased portion. Near the distal end, the lead has an optional tapered portion and a flexible portion, where the flexible portion is more flexible than the biased portion.