Catheter Or Endocardial (inside Heart) Type Patents (Class 607/122)
  • Patent number: 8738153
    Abstract: In some examples, an extension includes a connector adapted to electrically couple to a proximal end of the therapy delivery element. An elongated extension body is attached to the connector. The elongated extension body includes a stylet coil having a stylet coil lumen. The stylet coil extends within the elongated extension body to the connector. A conductor assembly includes a plurality of insulated electrical conductors braided to extend around the stylet coil and electrically coupled to the connector. The conductor assembly includes an inner lumen with a diameter greater than an outside diameter of the stylet coil, wherein axial elongated of the elongated extension body reduces the inner diameter of the conductor assembly. A low durometer insulator extends around the conductor assembly. A stylet is sized to slide freely within the stylet coil lumen during implantation of the extension in the living body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Shahn S. Sage, John M. Swoyer, Jesse Geroy
  • Patent number: 8731685
    Abstract: Systems and methods for shielding implantable leads from magnetic fields during medical procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are described. In various embodiments, the lead includes an inner conductor that is helically shaped and radially surrounded, at least in part, by one or more outer shielding conductors. The pitch of the inner conductor, and in some cases also the outer conductor, can be varied (e.g., continuously or at certain points) along the length of the lead, forming a plurality of high impedance points along the length of the lead which result in the dissipation of electromagnetic energy at an interrogation frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging device (e.g., 64 MHz, 128 MHz, or the like). In some embodiments, the variance in the pitch of the inner conductor follows a sinusoidal function, a modified square-wave function, or some other repeating pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventor: Masoud Ameri
  • Patent number: 8728562
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a medical electrical lead includes molding a lead body pre-form, stringing an electrode onto the pre-form and overmolding the pre-form with a polymer to form a lead body portion. The pre-form has a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. At least one asymmetric region of the pre-form has a transverse cross-section that has a non-circular outer dimension. The overmolding causes the asymmetric region to become substantially circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberly A. Morris, Andrew De Kock, David A. Durand, Joshua Haarer, Ronald W. Kunkel, Peter J. Wolf, Joel T. Eggert, Joseph A. Cihlar
  • Publication number: 20140135885
    Abstract: An implantable lead includes a lead body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The lead body includes an insulative member having a lumen extending longitudinally between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The lead body also includes a generally tubular liner disposed coaxially with the lumen within the insulative member. The implantable lead also includes an electrode disposed along the lead body in the distal end portion thereof, and a conductor disposed within the lumen and electrically coupled to the electrode. A terminal connector is coupled to the proximal end portion of the lead body and to the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur J. Foster, Daniel J. Foster, Christopher R. Perrey, Andrew L. De Kock, Patrick Willoughby, Bryan A. Clark
  • Patent number: 8721636
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for mapping conduction pathways and creating lesions in the heart wall for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The apparatus may include at least one epicardial ablation probe having a plurality of electrodes for creating a lesion. The apparatus and method facilitate the formation of a lesion which electrically isolates the pulmonary veins from the surrounding myocardium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Banjamin Pless, David A. Gallup, Jack E. Ulstad, Jr., Scott C. Anderson, Roxanne L. Richman
  • Patent number: 8718762
    Abstract: A cardiac medical device and associated method control delivery of dual chamber burst pacing pulses in response to detecting tachycardia. In one embodiment, a single chamber pacing pulse is delivered in response to detecting a tachycardia. Dual chamber pacing pulses are delivered subsequent to the single chamber pacing pulse. An intrinsic depolarization is sensed subsequent to delivering the dual chamber pacing pulses. The tachycardia episode is classified in response to the sensed intrinsic depolarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Brown, Troy Edward Jackson, Jeffrey M. Gillberg
  • Patent number: 8712550
    Abstract: A catheter with ablation and potential sensing capabilities is adapted for outer circumferential contact with an opening of a tubular region and inner circumferential contact within the tubular region. The catheter has a proximal electrode assembly and a distal electrode assembly for ablation of an ostium and potential sensing inside the pulmonary vein so that it is possible to obtain ECG signals inside a pulmonary vein when ablating around the ostium. The distal electrode assembly has an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of spines surrounding the member and converging at their proximal and distal ends, where each spine has at least one electrode and a curvature so that the spine bows radially outwardly from the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.
    Inventor: Debby Esther Grunewald
  • Patent number: 8712554
    Abstract: A cochlear lead includes a plurality electrodes forming an electrode array configured to stimulate an auditory nerve from within a cochlea; a lead body connected to the electrode array; a plurality of wires passing through the lead body and connecting to the plurality of electrodes; an integrated wire carrier extending between an exit of the wires from the lead body and a first electrode in the electrode array, the integrated wire carrier comprising a cavity along its longitudinal axis configured to contain the plurality of wires and shape the plurality of wires into a wire bundle in which the plurality of wires passing through the integrated wire carrier are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the integrated wire carrier; and a flexible body encapsulating the integrated wire carrier and the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics
    Inventors: Timothy Beerling, Chuladatta Thenuwara
  • Patent number: 8712528
    Abstract: A lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed on the distal end of the lead, a plurality of contact terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead, a plurality of conductor wires extending along the lead to couple the electrodes electrically to the contact terminals, a central lumen defined by the lead and extending from the proximal end of the lead towards the distal end of the lead, and a tubular stiffener disposed in the proximal end of the central lumen. The tubular stiffener is configured and arranged to facilitate insertion of the proximal end of the lead into a connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: John Michael Barker
  • Patent number: 8712552
    Abstract: The present application includes treatment systems having delivery-activated inflatable members, and associated systems and methods for treating the spinal cord and other tissues. A treatment system in accordance with one embodiment includes a lead body having an opening, an inner surface position around the opening, and an inflatable member carried by the lead body, with at least one of the inflatable member and the lead body including a frangible portion accessible from the opening. The inflatable member can have an expandable interior volume bounded at least in part by the frangible portion. The system can further include a delivery device received in the opening of the lead body and positioned to open a passage through the frangible portions between the interior volume of the inflatable member and the opening of the lead body when the delivery device is removed from the opening of the lead body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Nevro Corporation
    Inventors: C. Lance Boling, James Makous
  • Patent number: 8712549
    Abstract: A multiplexed medical carrier provides for sensing one or more patient parameters and/or delivering energy via separately identifiable effectors. The carrier includes a body and at least two electrical conductors coupled with at least two effectors. Effectors may be any combination of sensors, actuators or both. Sensors may measure such parameters as pressure, oxygen content, volume, conductivity, fluid flow rate, or any other chemical or physical parameters. Actuators may be used, for example, to pace a heart, stimulate muscle or neural tissue, broadcast ultrasonic energy, emit light, heat or other forms of radiation, or deliver any form of energy or substance. A method for collecting medical data from a patient includes interrogating a network of multiplexed sensors residing on parallel conductors in the patient, including addressing a first addressable sensor in the network to obtain data and addressing a second addressable sensor in the network to obtain data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Proteus Digital Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Zdeblick, George M. Savage
  • Patent number: 8712551
    Abstract: A probe including at its distal extremity a tubular flexible sheath core supporting at least a winding forming a shock electrode and connected to an electrical conductor of connection extending in an internal lumen of the sheath core. In one embodiment of the invention, the sheath core extends axially without a solution of continuity in the area supporting the winding. In particular, the sheath core comprises cavities to receive and hold conducting inserts, of homologous size with cavities formed locally close to the ends of the winding, the insert being connected to the interior side to the electrical conductor, and on the external side to the corresponding extremity of winding. A longitudinal slit connects two cavities and allows, by elastic deformation of the sheath core, the introduction into the cavities and in the internal lumen of the unit formed by the final extremity of the electrical conductor beforehand equipped with its two inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sorin CRM SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Ollivier, Frederic Bessoule
  • Patent number: 8706260
    Abstract: A catheter suitable for use in applying ablation energy to body tissue or detecting electrical signals conducted within the body tissue is disclosed. The catheter has a deflectable distal tip section. At least one electrode is adapted to be disposed against body tissue for delivery of ablation energy thereto or for conduction of body tissue electrical signals. An actuation mechanism comprising first and second pull wires is adapted to curve a proximal segment in a first direction and to independently bend an intermediate segment in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Stewart, Johnson E. Goode
  • Patent number: 8694130
    Abstract: A reinforced medical electrical lead for neurological applications has a reinforced construction for resisting the detachment of electrodes and lead connection terminals, thereby improving the robustness of the lead and extending the life of the lead by reducing the likelihood that a further surgical procedure will be required to remove the lead for repair or replacement thereof. The present reinforced lead construction maintains the integrity of the electrical connection between the conductor and the respective electrode and lead connection terminal by incorporating several reinforcing features in the lead construction in contrast to conventional lead constructions where it is possible to pull the electrodes and lead connection terminals away from their contact points with relatively little force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Lance Boling
  • Patent number: 8694129
    Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying a sensor assembly onto a cardiac lead are disclosed. The sensor assembly can include a resilient cuff having one or more sensor modules for sensing physiological parameters within the body. The resilient cuff may have a substantially cylindrical shape having an inner diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the lead body onto which the cuff is deployed such that the cuff is retained on the lead body by frictional forces. The sensor assembly may be deployed in conjunction with a new lead to be implanted within a chamber of the patient's heart or a body vessel, or may be deployed onto an existing, implanted lead implanted within the patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Li, Allan C. Shuros, Andrea Acuna, Bruce A. Tockman
  • Patent number: 8688236
    Abstract: Medical electrical leads equipped with spacer elements and configured for use during medical procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are disclosed. An illustrative medical electrical lead includes a proximal connector, an insulated lead body including at least one electrode, a helically coiled conductor wire, and a helically coiled spacer element interstitially disposed between adjacent turns of the conductor wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur J. Foster
  • Patent number: 8688235
    Abstract: A lead has a first lead section; a second lead section; and a transition member disposed between the first and second lead sections at a transition site. Material of at least one of the first lead section and the second lead section passes through openings in the transition member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Anne M. Pianca, Mathew J. Phillips, Joshua D. Howard
  • Publication number: 20140081367
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for separating an implanted object, such as a lead attached to a cardiac conduction device, from formed tissue within a blood vessel are provided. The methods, devices and systems for separating a lead from the tissue relate to dilating the tissue surrounding the lead from underneath the tissue and/or between the lead and the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: The Spectranetics Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon Thomas HENDRICK, Michael Craig Anderson
  • Patent number: 8676345
    Abstract: An electrode has a unitary ring with an exterior surface, interior surface, and at least two edges. The electrode also includes a seat formed in at least the exterior surface of the unitary ring. The seat is configured and arranged for attachment of a terminal end of a lead wire, disposed in the seat, to the electrode. A lead includes a lead body; a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end of the lead body; and a plurality of lead wires. Each electrode includes a unitary ring and a seat in the unitary ring. The unitary ring has an exterior surface and an interior surface and defines a hollow center region. The seat is formed as a depression of a portion of the unitary ring. Each of the lead wires extends along the lead body and is attached to a corresponding electrode at the seat of the corresponding electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Meadows, Randall Lee Brase
  • Patent number: 8668687
    Abstract: A method for removing a medical implant is contemplated by the present disclosure. The method includes the steps of guiding a plasma device to an implantation site. The plasma device includes a catheter having a catheter shaft. The catheter shaft includes a proximal portion and a flexible distal portion and a lumen defined therein terminating in an opening proximate a distal end thereof. The lumen is in fluid communication with an ionizable media source. The plasma device also include one or more electrodes proximate the opening and adapted to couple to a power source. The method also includes the steps of positioning the opening proximate a medical implant, supplying ionizable media to the opening, energizing the electrode to ignite the ionizable media to form a plasma plume emanating from the opening and manipulating the plasma plume relative to the medical implant to remove tissue surrounding the medical implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Kristin D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8670838
    Abstract: A medical electrical lead component includes a groove formed in a surface of the component. The medical electrical lead includes a portion of a conductor positioned within the groove and a resistance weld formed between the portion of the conductor positioned within the groove and the component. In one embodiment, the portion of the conductor positioned within the groove includes a pre-weld diameter greater than the depth of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Pavlik, Jordon D. Honeck
  • Patent number: 8670843
    Abstract: An implantable active fixation cardiac lead is disclosed that includes an elongated lead body having opposed proximal and distal end portions and having an interior lumen extending therethrough, an axially rotatable extendable and retractable fixation helix operatively associated with the distal end portion of the lead body, a rotatable in-line quadripolar connector assembly operatively associated with the proximal end portion of the lead body and including an elongated rotatable pin electrode having opposed proximal and distal end portions, and an elongated torque transmitting conductor coil extending through the interior lumen of the lead body and having a proximal end portion connected to the distal end portion of the rotatable pin electrode and a distal end portion connected to the rotatable fixation helix, to facilitate manual activation of the fixation helix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Oscor Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas P. Osypka
  • Patent number: 8666508
    Abstract: Implantable medical leads with magnetic shielding and methods of shielding implantable leads from magnetic fields during medical procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are disclosed. An exemplary implantable medical lead includes a helically coiled inner electrode conductor wire, a helically coiled outer electrode conductor wire disposed radially about the inner electrode conductor wire, and at least one layer of insulation that electrically isolates the inner and outer electrode conductor wires. The inner electrode conductor wire can have a hollowed, multifilar configuration including six or more co-radially wound wire filars. The outer electrode conductor wire is electrically isolated from the inner electrode conductor wire, and may have either a single or double filar configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur J. Foster, Jean M. Bobgan
  • Patent number: 8666513
    Abstract: Medical device leads with magnetic shielding and methods of shielding medical device leads from magnetic fields during medical procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are described. An illustrative implantable medical device includes a lead including a lead conductor having a length and a helically coiled ribbon shield radially surrounding the lead conductor along at least a portion of the length of the lead. The ribbon shield can include one or more inner ribbon conductors and/or one or more outer ribbon conductors. The outer ribbon conductor can have a variable width (e.g., a necked-down configuration, an arrowhead configuration, or an undulating configuration) along the length of the lead. In some cases, the helically coiled ribbon has a variable pitch along the length of the lead that may be the same as or different from that of the lead conductor pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Masoud Ameri, Arthur J. Foster
  • Patent number: 8666514
    Abstract: A peel away lead implant tool is adapted to be disposed over the terminal connector of a lead during an implantation procedure to protect the terminal connector. The peel-away lead implant tool includes a flexible polymer sheath including electrical contacts formed in a contact region of the sheath. The electrical contacts can be either metal foil contacts or conductive polymer contacts and extend from an outer surface to an inner surface of the sheath such that when the testing apparatus is coupled to the lead implant tool, the electrical contacts are pressed into electrical contact with the ring electrodes located on the terminal connector. The lead implant tool configured for facilitating the easy removal of the implant tool from the terminal connector when the implantation procedure is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Tockman, Timothy R. Jackson, Peter J. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20140058494
    Abstract: An active implantable medical device is disclosed herein having a radio-opaque marker. The radio-opaque marker can be formed within an exterior wall of the device or within recesses on the outside of the exterior wall. The implantable medical device can be a leadless pacemaker. The shape of the radio-opaque marker can be designed to facilitate visualization and identification of the location, orientation, and rotation of the implanted medical device by conventional fluoroscopy. Methods of use are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Nanostim, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Ostroff, Paul Paspa, Peter M. Jacobson, Wade A. Keller, Christopher Alan Hubbard
  • Patent number: 8660667
    Abstract: A cardiac lead extraction system is described that is styletless in nature. A cord is provided having at least one crimping bead or other deformable mass thereon. A wire associated with the lead, such as an inner wire thereof is exposed. The crimping bead on the cord is then brought adjacent the wire and crimped onto the wire. Preferably, multiple crimping beads are used for securing the cord at multiple places to the wire. The cord can also be looped and crimped back on itself. Tension is then applied to the cord and correspondingly to the lead. An extraction sheath can then be advanced over a cover of the lead to separate it from adjacent body tissues before lead removal. A traction handle allows a distal end of the cord to be readily held and tensioned by a medical practitioner, especially while advancing the extraction sheath over the lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventor: Walter Kusumoto
  • Patent number: 8656697
    Abstract: A steerable multi-linked device. The device includes a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. At least one of the first and second multi-linked mechanisms is steerable and includes a modular link assembly at an end thereof. The modular link assembly includes a base, and a tip removably connected to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Brett Zubiate, Howard M. Choset, Amir Degani, Michael Schwerin
  • Patent number: 8660662
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed related to wires that may be used within a medical device. According to one example, a wire may include a core formed of a material having a resistivity of less than 25 micro-ohm-cm and a layer of a biocompatible beta titanium alloy surrounding the core. As one example, the beta titanium alloy has an elastic modulus ranging from 30 GigaPascals (GPa) to 90 GPa and comprises at least two elements from a group consisting of titanium, molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, chromium, iron and tin. In one embodiment, the core may be formed of silver, tantalum, a tantalum alloy, niobium, a niobium alloy, platinum, a platinum alloy, palladium, or a palladium alloy. In some examples, one or more wires may be incorporated into a coil or a cable and one or more such coils or cables may be carried by a medical device such as a medical electrical lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Q. Li, Ling Wang
  • Patent number: 8657839
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating disc herniation include surgical and endoscopic access and removal of disc tissue. The tissue removal devices that may be used include flexible elongate members, such as a cable, that may be inserted into a vertebral disc and rotated to pulverize the disc material and facilitate its removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventors: John T. To, Gary Daniel Zaretzka, Hiep Nguyen, Singfatt Chin, Robert May
  • Publication number: 20140052208
    Abstract: A neuromodulation system for treating acute heart failure syndromes includes a first catheter having a parasympathetic therapy element adapted for positioning within a first blood vessel such as a superior vena cava, and a second catheter sympathetic therapy element adapted for positioning with a second, different, blood vessel such as the pulmonary artery. The catheters comprise a system in which one of catheters is slidably disposed over the other of the catheters. The system may further be slidably disposed over a third elongate element such as a Swan-Ganz catheter positionable within a pulmonary artery, such that the Swan-Ganz may be used for monitoring parameters such as blood pressure and cardiac output during neuromodulation therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Synecor LLC
    Inventors: Terrance J Ransbury, William E Sanders, Richard S Stack, Colleen Stack
  • Patent number: 8655458
    Abstract: A medical lead includes a lead body having at least one conductor extending from a proximal end of the lead body to a distal end of the lead body. The proximal end is adapted to be connected to a pulse generator, and the distal end includes a curved portion. One or more electrodes are operatively connected to the at least one conductor and coupled to the curved portion of the lead body. At least a portion of each of the one or more electrodes includes an arrangement of interconnected, spaced-apart elements that are selectively configured to allow the one or more electrodes to conform to contours of the curved portion during and after implantation of the medical lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Tockman, Timothy R. Jackson, Brendan E. Koop, Lili Liu, Kimberly A. Morris, David J. Parins
  • Patent number: 8655459
    Abstract: In a medical implantable lead and method for monitoring and/or controlling of an organ inside a human or animal body, the lead has a helix in a distal end that is rotatable by an inner wire coil (5), which is disposed inside of and along essentially the entire length of the lead and which is rotatably arranged in relation to an outer sleeve, such that the helix is attachable to the organ by being screwed into the tissue inside the body. The lead is provided with a connector in a proximal end which is connectible to an electronic device for monitoring or controlling the function of the organ, the connector having a connector pin that is in engagement with the wire coil and that is rotatably journaled inside a connector housing. During mounting of the medical implantable lead to the organ, the inner wire coil is rotatable by rotating the connector pin in relation to the connector housing with a suitable tool. The connector is provided with a friction brake between the connector pin and the connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical AB
    Inventors: Rolf Hill, Olof Stegfeldt
  • Patent number: 8644955
    Abstract: The medical lead delivery device more easily and quickly delivers a lead to or through the coronary vein of a patient's heart. The medical lead delivery device includes an elongated body, a controller, a first and second spring, and a sleeve. The elongated body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The controller is disposed at the proximal end and provides enhanced control of the distal tip of the elongated body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Sommer, Patrick Senarith
  • Patent number: 8644956
    Abstract: Implantable shock electrode line having a proximal end for connection to an implantable device which generates shock pulses, and a distal segment which has a shock electrode, wherein an area ratio of the shock electrode area to the surface area of the shock electrode line is not constant over the longitudinal extent of the shock electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Gernot Kolberg, Klaus Bartels, Thomas Guenther
  • Patent number: 8644953
    Abstract: A therapy delivery element configured for at least partial insertion in a living body. A braided structure surrounds the conductor assembly. A distal end of the braided structure is attached to an electrode assembly and a free floating proximal end is located near a connector assembly. An outer tubing surrounds the braided structure. The outer tubing includes a proximal end attached to the connector assembly and a distal end attached to the braided structure near the electrode assembly. A proximal tension force applied to the connector assembly acts substantially on the outer tubing and the conductor assembly and a proximal tension force applied to the free floating proximal end acts substantially on the braided structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: James Finley, John Swoyer
  • Patent number: 8639357
    Abstract: Cardioprotective pacing is applied to prevent and/or reduce cardiac injury associated with myocardial infarction (MI) and revascularization procedure. Pacing pulses are generated from a pacemaker and delivered through one or more pacing electrodes incorporated onto one or more percutaneous transluminal vascular intervention (PTVI) devices during the revascularization procedure. In one embodiment, at least one pacing electrode is constructed as, or incorporated onto, a stent at a distal end portion of a stent catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Tomaschko, David James Broman, Tracee Eidenschink, Roger Hastings, Richard J. Olson
  • Patent number: 8636731
    Abstract: The present invention encompasses apparatus and methods for mapping electrical activity within the heart. The present invention also encompasses methods and apparatus for creating lesions in the heart tissue (ablating) to create a region of necrotic tissue which serves to disable the propagation of errant electrical impulses caused by an arrhythmia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary S. Falwell, Steven J. Burns, Charles A. Gibson, David MacAdam, Nickolas G. Davis
  • Patent number: 8639356
    Abstract: Defibrillator lead designs and methods for manufacturing a lead having attachment between a fibrosis-limiting material covering, a shocking coil electrode, and an implantable lead body are disclosed herein. An electrode coil fitting is disposed within the shocking coil electrode. In an option, the fibrosis limiting material extends past the ends of the electrode coil, and is wrapped between the coil electrode and the electrode coil member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventor: Devon N. Arnholt
  • Patent number: 8639358
    Abstract: An integrated bipolar implantable medical electrical lead, which may be employed by a cardiac defibrillator, has a single low voltage electrode and a single high voltage electrode and employs a relatively robust and fail-safe configuration of three conductors. Each of the three conductors extends within an individual lumen of a tri-lumen insulative body of the lead. First and second conductors of the three connect, in parallel, the low voltage electrode to a first contact of a connector terminal assembly of the lead, and a third conductor of the three connects the high voltage electrode to a second and a third contact of the connector terminal assembly. A configuration of the third conductor differs from that of the first and second conductors in order to make the third conductor more susceptible to fracture, relative to the first and second conductors, after many years of chronic implant under extreme loading conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc
    Inventor: Kenneth Anderson
  • Patent number: 8634919
    Abstract: An intra-cardiac implantable medical device (IIMD) and method of implant are provided. The IIMD comprises a housing configured to be implanted entirely within a coronary sinus (CS) of the heart. The IIMD has at least one intra-cardiac device extension (ICDE).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenbo Hou, Xiaoyi Min, Edward Karst
  • Patent number: 8634931
    Abstract: An implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the lead includes a body and an electrical pathway. The body may include a distal portion with an electrode and a proximal portion with a lead connector end. The electrical pathway may extend between the electrode and lead connector end and include a coiled inductor including a first portion and a second portion at least partially magnetically decoupled from the first portion. The first portion may include a first configuration having a first SRF. The second portion may include a second configuration different from the first configuration. The second configuration may have a second SRF different from the first SRF. For example, the first SRF may be near 64 MHz and the second SRF may be near 128 MHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoyi Min, J. Christopher Moulder, Yong D. Zhao, Virote Indravudh, Ingmar Viohl
  • Publication number: 20140012359
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical implantable lead for monitoring and/or controlling an organ inside a human or animal body. The lead comprises a first electrode (6I) at a distal end of the lead adapted to be in contact with tissue of the organ, a connector at a proximal end of the lead adapted to be connected to a monitoring and/or controlling device, a conducting arrangement comprising a first conducting coil (9I) of at least one electrically conducting wire (10I) for connecting the first electrode electrically to the connector to receive and/or transmit electric signals from and to the tissue, respectively, and a flexible tubing (7) surrounding the lead from the proximal to the distal end, wherein the lead is tapered in a distal portion and has a smaller cross sectional dimension at the distal portion than at the rest of the lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: ST. JUDE MEDICAL AB
    Inventors: Anders Bjorling, Caroline Sparf
  • Patent number: 8626316
    Abstract: In a device for the intermittent occlusion of the coronary sinus, including a catheter with several lumens, an occlusion device fixed to the catheter and operable through at least one lumen of the catheter, and at least one pressure measuring device for measuring the fluid pressure in the coronary sinus, the catheter additionally comprises support means for supporting the catheter on the inner wall of the coronary sinus, which support means are reversibly placeable in abutment on the inner wall of the coronary sinus by an operating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Miracor Medical Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Mohl
  • Patent number: 8620457
    Abstract: An implantable system for the defibrillation of the atria of a patient's heart comprises (a) a first catheter configured for insertion into the right atrium of the heart, preferably without extending into the right ventricle of the heart; a first atrial defibrillation electrode carried by the first catheter and positioned at the atrial septum of the heart (i.e., an atrial septum electrode); (b) a second atrial defibrillation electrode which together with the first atrial defibrillation electrode provides a pair of atrial defibrillation electrodes that are configured for orientation in or about the patient's heart to effect atrial defibrillation, and (c) a pulse generator operatively associated with the pair of atrial defibrillation electrodes for delivering a first atrial defibrillation pulse to the heart of the patient. The second electrode may be configured for positioning through the coronary sinus ostium and in the coronary sinus or a vein on the surface of the left ventricle, such as the great vein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Xiangsheng Zheng, Michael E. Benser, Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott, Steven D. Girouard
  • Patent number: 8615310
    Abstract: A delivery system for implanting a leadless cardiac pacemaker into a patient is provided. The cardiac pacemaker can include a docking or delivery feature having a through-hole disposed on or near a proximal end of the pacemaker for attachment to the delivery system. In some embodiments, the delivery catheter can include first and second tethers configured to engage the delivery feature of the pacemaker. The tethers, when partially aligned, can have a cross-sectional diameter larger than the through-hole of the delivery feature, and when un-aligned, can have a cross-sectional diameter smaller than the through-hole of the delivery feature. Methods of delivering the leadless cardiac pacemaker with the delivery system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Khairkhahan, Alan Klenk
  • Publication number: 20130331920
    Abstract: An implantable electrode device designed for heart stimulation and/or cardioversion/defibrillation in connection with a pacemaker or a defibrillator. The electrode device comprises a large-surface area indifferent reference electrode pole permanently implanted in the atrial septum and in electrical communication with a pacemaker or defibrillator. The electrode pole is made from biocompatible metal braiding and has a tube like opening. The electrical communication is positioned from the pacemaker/defibrillator via the right atrium of the heart through the indifferent electrode pole into the left atrium via the opening. Thus allowing electrical pulses to be delivered to the electrode pole and stimulating the heart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Peter Osypka
  • Publication number: 20130331921
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a bifurcated catheter, and more particularly, to denervation of arterial nerves using a bifurcated catheter. In embodiments, the catheter comprises, for example, a catheter shaft bifurcated into a first catheter energy member and a second catheter energy member, wherein the first catheter energy member comprises a first transducer and the second catheter energy member comprises a second transducer, and wherein the first and second transducers are configured to cause denervation of an arterial nerve of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Gary Roubin
  • Publication number: 20130331922
    Abstract: A pacing lead for a left cavity of the heart, implanted in the coronary system. This lead (24) includes a lead body with a hollow sheath (26, 28) of deformable material, having a central lumen open at both ends, and at least one telescopic microcable (42) of conductive material. The microcable slides along the length of the lead body and extends beyond the distal end (32) thereof. The party emerging beyond the distal end is an active free part (34) comprising a plurality of distinct bare areas (36, 38, 50, 50?, 50?), intended to come into contact (40) with the wall of a target vein (22) of the coronary system (14-22), so as to form a network of stimulation electrodes electrically connected together in parallel. The microcable further comprises, proximally, a connector to a generator of active implantable medical device such as a pacemaker or a resynchronizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: SORIN CRM S.A.S.
    Inventor: Jean-François Ollivier
  • Patent number: 8606370
    Abstract: One aspect is a medical electrode system including a conduction coil and a stimulation electrode. The stimulation electrode encompasses a base body having a top area and an end area. The system is characterized in that the conduction coil encompasses a connection element. The connection element is thermally shrink-fitted onto the end area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: W. C. Heraeus GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Vogt, Lena Lewandrowski, Stefan Schibli, Christiane Leitold, René Richter