Abstract: An electrical lead includes an elongate body having a proximal end and a fixation member joined to the elongate body and distally disposed from the proximal end of the elongate body, wherein the fixation member is capable of being extended from and retracted toward the elongate body. A method includes advancing an electrical lead into vasculature and extending a fixation member from the body of the electrical lead to fixedly engage the electrical lead within the vasculature. The method may further include retracting the fixation member toward the body of the electrical lead to unengage the electrical lead within the vasculature and retracting the electrical lead from the vasculature.

Abstract: A transvenous implantable medical device adapted for implantation in a body, and which is particularly adapted for use in a vessel such as the coronary sinus or cardiac great vein. The implantable medical device may take the form of a lead or catheter, and includes an extendable distal fixation member such as a helix. In one embodiment, the fixation member is a helix constructed of a shape memory metal or other super-elastic material. Upon deployment, the helix assumes a predetermined helix shape larger than the diameter of the lead body diameter. The helix functions to wedge or fix the lead within the vessel in a manner that does not impede the flow of blood through the vessel. The helix may be retracted for ease of repositioning and/or removal. In one embodiment of the invention, the fixation member may be advanced using a stiffening member such as a stylet. In another embodiment, the helix is coupled to a coiled conductor such that rotation of the conductor extends or retracts the helix.

Abstract: An epicardial lead installation tool having an elongated tool body extending between a tool body proximal and distal ends and encloses a tool body lumen. At least one suction pad supported by a suction pad strut extends distally to a distal end surface of the tool body distal end. A lead implantation tool extending between implantation tool proximal and distal ends is inserted through the tool body lumen to dispose the implantation tool distal end proximate to the tool body distal end. The lead implantation tool distal end is adapted to engage the distal electrode head of an epicardial lead to enable the extension of the assembly of the of the lead installation tool, the lead implantation tool and the epicardial lead through a skin incision and to apply the suction pad against the epicardium. Suction is applied through the suction pad to affix it to the epicardium while the implantation tool proximal end is manipulated to affix the distal fixation mechanism to the myocardium at the implantation site.

Abstract: An implantable electrical lead of the type having a rigid, insulative electrode head carrying an advanceable helical electrode. The electrode head is mounted to an elongated insulative lead body less rigid than said electrode head and which carries an extensible conductor coupled to the helical electrode and an inextensible conductor mechanically coupled to the proximal end of the lead. A second electrode is mounted to said lead body adjacent the electrode head and is coupled to the inextensible conductor. The inextensible electrical conductor is mechanically coupled to the electrode head such that poximally directed traction forces applied to the proximal end of the lead body are applied to the head by the inextensible conductor and not by the second electrode.

Abstract: A front-loading syringe which comprises a movable plunger for injecting liquid contrast media, is rotatably mountable on a front wall of an injector housing with an interference fit and in sealed relationship with respect thereto, with or without a pressure jacket, by a first-quick release mechanism. At the same time, the plunger is connected to an injector drive mechanism by a second readily releasable mechanism. During the mounting operation, a sensor reads injection information from an indicator device on the syringe and feeds it to an injector control. An audible-and-tactile indicating mechanism also is activated when the syringe is essentially in the desired mounted position. The syringe may include reinforcing ribs which also function as volumetric gradations, and liquid media presence-or-absence indicating dots which appear circular against a liquid media background and oval-shaped against an air background.

Abstract: An implantable lead for establishing electrical contact between a medical device and body tissue, in which an active fixation mechanism secures the lead in place while allowing a distal electrode on the lead to mechanically "float" with respect to the body tissue. In one embodiment, the active fixation mechanism comprises a curved hook disposed on the lead at a point spaced proximally back from the distal end of the lead. The curved hook defines a helix around at least a portion of the lead's circumference. A hollow introducer needle is slidably disposed on the lead. The hollow needle provided with a longitudinal slit in a distal section of is length, such that the distal section of the needle can be advanced over the distal end of the lead, past the fixation hook, which is received in the longitudinal slit. With the needle slid over the distal end of the lead, the needle is stabbed tangentially into an implant site, bringing the fixation hook proximal to the surface of the body tissue.

Abstract: A defibrillator and demand pacer catheter is defined by a flexible, electrically nonconductive probe having an electrically conductive pathway longitudinally disposed therein. Attached to one end of the probe is a defibrillator electrode capable of anchoring the probe to the septum of a heart and of transmitting from said conductive pathway directly to the interior of the septum a portion of an electrical defibrillation pulse sufficient to defibrillate the heart. The defibrillation pulse is delivered in such a manner so as to avoid injuring the heart tissue immediately adjacent to the defibrillator electrode. In the preferred embodiment, the defibrillator electrode is helical; however, it is also envisioned as being a lance. Alternatively, the catheter further comprises a ground electrode, a demand pacer electrode, and a supplemental defibrillator electrode attached to the probe.

Abstract: A body implantable lead including a sheath, an electrode sleeve secured at a distal end of the sheath, a rotor body positioned within the sleeve, a fixing helix secured to a distal end of the rotor body, a torsion spring secured to a proximal end of the rotor body, and a rotation guide formed between the electrode sleeve and the rotor body which includes a helical groove formed on either the rotor body or the electrode sleeve and at least one guide pin formed on the electrode sleeve or the rotor body, respectively.