Abstract: A leadless biostimulator has a housing including an electronics compartment, an electronics assembly mounted in the electronics compartment, a proximal electrode that disposed on and/or integrated into the housing, and an electrical feedthrough assembly. The electrical feedthrough assembly includes a distal electrode and a flange. The flange is mounted on the housing. The distal electrode is electrically isolated from the flange by an insulator and configured to be placed in contact with target tissue to which a pacing impulse is to be transmitted by the leadless biostimulator. A mount is mounted on the flange and thereby mounted on the electrical feedthrough assembly. A fixation element is mounted on the mount and configured to facilitate fixation of the leadless biostimulator to tissue of a patient.

Abstract: An electrical feedthrough assembly, which is configured to be mounted on a housing of a leadless biostimulator, comprises an electrode body including a cup having an electrode wall extending distally from an electrode base around an electrode cavity, an electrode tip mounted on a distal end of the electrode body, and a filler in the electrode cavity between the electrode base and the electrode tip, wherein the filler includes a therapeutic agent. The electrode tip is configured to be placed in contact with target tissue to which a pacing impulse is to be transmitted by the leadless biostimulator. A pin extends proximally from the electrode base, wherein the pin is configured to be into contact with an electrical connector of an electronics assembly within the housing of the leadless biostimulator.

Abstract: A leadless biostimulator, and an electrical feedthrough assembly for use therewith, are described herein. The leadless biostimulator comprises an electrode body including a cup having an electrode wall extending distally from an electrode base around an electrode cavity, an electrode tip mounted on a distal end of the electrode body, and a filler in the electrode cavity between the electrode base and the electrode tip, wherein the filler includes a therapeutic agent. The electrode tip is configured to be placed in contact with target tissue to which a pacing impulse is to be transmitted by the leadless biostimulator. A pin extends proximally from the electrode base, wherein the pin is configured to be into contact with an electrical connector of an electronics assembly within a housing of the leadless biostimulator, and wherein the electrical feedthrough assembly is configured to be mounted on the housing of the leadless biostimulator.

Abstract: A biostimulator, such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker, including an electrical feedthrough assembly mounted on a housing, is described. An electronics compartment of the housing can contain an electronics assembly to generate a pacing impulse, and the electrical feedthrough assembly can include an electrode tip to deliver the pacing impulse to a target tissue. A monolithically formed electrode body can have a pin integrated with a cup. The pin can be electrically connected to the electronics assembly, and the cup can be electrically connected to the electrode tip. Accordingly, the biostimulator can transmit the pacing impulse through the monolithic pin and cup to the target tissue. The cup can hold a filler having a therapeutic agent for delivery to the target tissue and may include retention elements for maintaining the filler at a predetermined location within the cup.

Abstract: A biostimulator, such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker, including an electrical feedthrough assembly mounted on a housing, is described. An electronics compartment of the housing can contain an electronics assembly to generate a pacing impulse, and the electrical feedthrough assembly can include an electrode tip to deliver the pacing impulse to a target tissue. A monolithically formed electrode body can have a pin integrated with a cup. The pin can be electrically connected to the electronics assembly, and the cup can be electrically connected to the electrode tip. Accordingly, the biostimulator can transmit the pacing impulse through the monolithic pin and cup to the target tissue. The cup can hold a filler having a therapeutic agent for delivery to the target tissue and may include retention elements for maintaining the filler at a predetermined location within the cup.

Abstract: A device and methods for automatically evaluating one or more patient physiological parameters and, upon determination that certain therapies are indicated, delivering therapeutic mechanical stimulations to tissue of the patient. The mechanical stimulations generally include vibrations delivered at frequencies somewhat higher or lower than an intrinsic frequency and the therapeutic vibrations are delivered to drive the intrinsic frequency towards a desired value. The device and methods more closely emulate natural physiologic feedback mechanisms and can reduce undesired side effects of other known therapies. The device can include a small and efficient electrical motor which is interconnected with a crank and link mechanism to generate oscillatory motion which is conducted to a flexible wall of a bio-compatible housing of the device.

Abstract: A connector assembly for an implantable medical device including a casing includes a header having a receptacle with an electrical contact for engageably receiving an electrical terminal on a proximal end of a lead and a fastener assembly for simultaneously releasably clamping the lead to the header within the receptacle and firmly attaching the header to the casing. The header is mounted on the casing and has a distal notched region with an upper surface and a first channel in its upper surface aligned with, and being a partial extension of, the receptacle. The fastener assembly includes a lead-lock component engageably received within the notched region of the header and with a second channel therein which is aligned and juxtaposed with the first channel, the channels taken together being an extension of the receptacle. A fastener system firmly mounts the lead-lock component to the header at the notched region.

Abstract: A housing for an implantable medical device comprises a metallic wall including a telemetry window having a thickness that is thinner than the remainder of the housing wall and having an electrical conductivity that is less than that of the remainder of the housing wall. In another embodiment, an implantable medical device casing comprises a metallic wall including a telemetry window received within an aperture defined by said casing wall, the window having an electrical conductivity that is less than that of the remainder of the casing wall. Pursuant to another embodiment, there is provided an implantable medical device incorporating a casing as described above that is hermetically sealed and encloses a transceiver for bidirectional telemetric communication through the telemetry window.

Abstract: A connector assembly for coupling an electrical lead to an electrically energized device includes a non-conductive housing member with an elongated bore. A block member in the bore proximate the sealed end has a coaxial through bore. A first of multiple side by side pairs of seal assemblies and contact assemblies in the bore is proximate the block member, a last one is nearest the bore entrance. Each contact assembly has electrical commonality with a terminal of the device. A strain relief zone fixed to the housing member in the bore engages the last seal assembly and faces the bore entrance. Force on the strain relief zone toward the block member firmly seals in the bore all components defining a central passage coaxial with the through bore enabling electrical contact among multiple lead terminals inserted into the bore, an associated contact assembly, and an associated terminal of the device.

Abstract: A technique for removing from a body an implanted lead including an active fixation electrode includes the operation of releasably attaching an elongated stylet to the distal end of the implanted lead, specifically, to the electrode at the distal end of the lead. This results in a reasonably unified stylet and implanted lead structure whereby withdrawal of the stylet and of the implanted lead as a unit facilitates the complete removal of the implanted lead from the body. A threaded tip end of the stylet is used for threaded engagement with a tapped bore in the electrode. The threaded tip end of the stylet becomes locked to the electrode by rotating in one direction the threaded portion into the threaded bore and the stylet is removable by counter-rotating the threaded tip end of the stylet relative to the electrode.

Abstract: A technique for removing an implanted lead from a body includes the steps of releasably attaching a stylet to both the distal end of the implanted lead and to the proximal end of the implanted lead. This results in a substantially unified stylet and implanted lead structure whereby withdrawal of the stylet and of the implanted lead as a unit facilitates the complete removal of the implanted lead from the body. A threaded tip end may be used for threaded engagement with a tapped bore at the distal end of the implanted lead and at the proximal end, attachment being provided by a threaded region on the stylet distant from the threaded tip end for threaded engagement with a tapped bore of a connector pin integral with the implanted lead. In this instance, the diameter of the proximal threaded region on the stylet is greater than that of the threaded tip end.

Abstract: A technique for removing an implanted lead from a body includes the steps of releasably attaching a stylet to both the distal end of the implanted lead and to the proximal end of the implanted lead. This results in a substantially unified stylet and implanted lead structure whereby withdrawal of the stylet and of the implanted lead as a unit facilitates the complete removal of the implanted lead from the body. A threaded tip end may be used for threaded engagement with a tapped bore at the distal end of the implanted lead and at the proximal end, attachment being provided by a threaded region on the stylet distant from the threaded tip end for threaded engagement with a tapped bore of a connector pin integral with the implanted lead. In this instance, the diameter of the proximal threaded region on the stylet is greater than that of the threaded tip end.

Abstract: An electrode assembly including a tip electrode and a longitudinally extending axially aligned weld electrode egageably receiving a distal end of a coiled wire strand conductor at a proximal end. A connector member includes a fastener having an enlarged head and a threaded shank, the weld electrode includes an integral weld sleeve with an annular locking tab engageable with the enlarged head to prevent longitudinal movement while permitting rotational movement. The weld electrode has an internal bore for receiving an elongated stylet selectively engageable therewith for implanting and explanting the electrode assembly. The tip electrode includes an integral attachment sleeve having an outer peripheral surface extending in a direction away from the tip and having a longitudinally extending tapped bore for engagement with the threaded shank of the connector member. The weld sleeve and attachment sleeve are mutually stepped to prevent their relative rotation when in the locked position.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a body implantable lead provided for the delivery of stimulation energy to a desired body site includes a tip electrode having a face adapted for positioning at least adjacent the desired body site and a longitudinally extending axially aligned weld electrode engageably receiving a distal end of an electrical conductor at a proximal end. The electrical conductor is a coiled wire strand with an inner peripheral surface for fitting reception on an outer peripheral surface of the weld electrode. A connector member includes a fastener having an enlarged head and a threaded shank, the weld electrode includes an integral weld sleeve with an annular locking tab engageable with the enlarged head to prevent longitudinal movement while permitting rotational movement. The weld electrode has an internal bore for receiving an elongated stylet selectively engageable therewith for implanting the electrode assembly at a desired body site and for explanting the electrode assembly from that body site.

Abstract: A connector assembly mounted on an implantable cardiac stimulation device has an actuator mechanism for fixing electrical leads inserted into lead receptacles within the connector assembly without the use of setscrews. Fixing of the leads is accomplished by compressing onto each lead annular locking springs, disposed in annular recesses of a molded support and engaged with an annular shoulder of conical taper in the direction of lead insertion, with lip portions of a plunger drawn toward the molded support by the actuator mechanism. In a first embodiment, rotation of a cam actuator transversely journaled within the support, using a torque wrench or similar tool, moves a cam slide attached to the plunger through a fixed displacement between lock and unlock positions as an offset camming portion of the actuator engages the surfaces of a slot within the cam slide.

Abstract: A technique for removing an implanted lead from a body includes the steps of releasably attaching a stylet to both the distal end of the implanted lead and to the proximal end of the implanted lead. This results in a substantially unified stylet and implanted lead structure whereby withdrawal of the stylet and of the implanted lead as a unit facilitates the complete removal of the implanted lead from the body. A threaded tip end may be used for threaded engagement with a tapped bore at the distal end of the implanted lead and at the proximal end, attachment being provided by a threaded region on the stylet distant from the threaded tip end for threaded engagement with a tapped bore of a connector pin integral with the implanted lead. In this instance, the diameter of the proximal threaded region on the stylet is greater than that of the threaded tip end.