Abstract: A medical electrical lead with a tip-ring assembly optimized to resist damage during extraction. The lead includes an elongated plastic tube and at least two elongated conductors mounted in the plastic tube. A tip-ring assembly is mounted to the distal end of the tube, the tip-ring assembly including a ring electrode coupled to one of the conductors, a tip electrode located distal to the ring electrode and coupled to another of the conductors and two molded plastic components separately fabricated of a plastic harder than the plastic tube, adhered to one another and together defining a circumferential groove in which the ring electrode is located and mechanically coupled to the tip electrode. The tip electrode may be provided with a proximally extending electrode shank covered by a tine sleeve which is fabricated of a plastic softer than the molded plastic components and is adhered to more distally located molded plastic component.

Abstract: An improved system and method for interconnecting an electrical device to a connector is provided. A connector assembly includes at least one connector block. The connector block may be of a type adapted to mechanically and electrically couple to an electrical lead, although any other type of connector for forming an electrical contact may be employed. The connector assembly further includes at least one weld plate. A conductor such as a wire is routed between the connector block and the weld plate and electrically coupled to both structures. The connector assembly is adapted to be fastened to a device housed within an enclosure, such as an implantable medical device residing within a can. A conductor extending from circuitry within the housing may be electrically coupled to the weld plate to thereby form an electrical connection between the circuitry and the connector block.

Abstract: A temporary backup mechanism for electrical conduction within an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided. In an IMD such as lead or catheter having a cable conductor for conducting an electrical signal is provided with a safety cable for conducting an electrical signal if the primary cable conductor fails. In one embodiment, the conductor is a cable positioned adjacent to the safety cable so that the cable is in electrical contact with the conductor along various points on the conductor. In another embodiment, the conductor and cable are electrically isolated from one another except at proximal and distal ends where the two are mechanically coupled. In the latter embodiment, a change in impedance signals a potential conductor failure.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and method for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, for example, atrial fibrillation, by electrically isolating a vessel, such as a pulmonary vein, from a chamber, such as the left atrium. The catheter assembly includes a catheter body and at least one electrode. The catheter body includes a proximal portion, an intermediate portion and a distal portion. The intermediate portion extends from the proximal portion and defines a longitudinal axis. The distal portion extends from the intermediate portion and forms a substantially closed loop transverse to the longitudinal axis. The at least one electrode is disposed along the loop. With this configuration, the loop is axially directed into contact with the chamber wall about the vessel ostium. Upon energization, the electrode ablates a continuous lesion pattern about the vessel ostium, thereby electrically isolating the vessel from the chamber.

Abstract: A system for coupling a medical electrical lead to a medical device includes an upsizing sleeve having a plurality of spring contacts, a plurality of seal members, and contact members joined in an alternating manner with relatively rigid insulation members. At least one contact member includes an inner surface for housing a contact from the plurality of spring contacts and at least one insulation member includes an inner surface for housing a seal from the plurality of seal members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cardiac pacing and, more particularly, for Atrial-His-Ventricular sequential pacing to improve sino-atrial node dysfunction or heart block superior to the His bundle. As a derivative, His-Ventricular sequential pacing can be employed to treat permanent atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia. The catheter assembly includes a catheter body and an ablative energy source. The catheter body includes a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion. The intermediate portion extends from the proximal portion and defines a longitudinal axis. The distal portion extends from the intermediate portion and includes an ablation section and a tip. The ablation section forms a loop defining a diameter greater than an outer dimension of a pulmonary vein ostium. The tip extends distally from the ablation section and is configured to locate a pulmonary vein. Finally, the ablative energy source is associated with the ablation section. With this configuration, upon activation of the energy source, the ablation section ablates a desired lesion pattern. In one preferred embodiment, the ablation section forms a distally decreasing radius helix, whereas the tip includes a relatively linear leader section.

Abstract: A medical device for multi-vector sensing of cardiac depolarization signals is disclosed. Specialized algorithm is implemented to enhance multi-vector electrode sensing. Further a geometric shape is optimized to enable space-volume efficiencies for deployment and navigation of the medical device for implant in a patient.

Abstract: An implantable device including an elastically compressible member coupled to a distal end of a lead and further coupled to at least one electrode. The compressible member is in a contracted state when the electrode is being delivered to an implant site. At the implant site, the compressible member is expanded to urge the electrode into contact with tissue. Compressible member further includes a keyed structure to engage a stiffening member such as a stylet. The stiffening member is used both to deliver the electrode to the implant site, and to rotate the compressible member, if necessary, so that the electrode contacts predetermined body tissue. According to one aspect of the invention, an introducer having an inner lumen with a diameter that is smaller than that of the compressible member may be used to disengage the stiffening member from the compressible member.

Abstract: Epidermally mountable device includes terminus structures to enable positive connection with conductive tissue. The device includes nano spikes shaped to penetrate the epidermis of the skin to collect electrical biopotentials such as cardiac depolarization waveforms (ECGs) and various signals transmitted by implanted devices. Generally, the nano spikes are integrated on a substrate comprising, preferably, a flexible metalized conductive plate attachable to an adhesive backing. The device could be mounted on any external body of the patient to collect ECG, EEG or other signals. Further, the device is adaptable to include a programmable microprocessor, including memory and an antenna to store, receive and transmit data as needed. In one embodiment, in addition to collecting physiologic data through direct contact, the device may also be used as a smart patch to download, store and transfer data from implanted medical devices or other data sources using wireless data transmission medium.

Abstract: An automated identification and configuration system for use with an implantable medical device (IMD) is disclosed. The system includes a first communication circuit that is attached to, or otherwise carried by, a detachable component associated with the IMD such as a medical lead. The communication circuit stores data such as model numbers, serial numbers, technical data, and/or calibration information that describes the additional component. This information may be transferred by the first communications circuit to a second communications circuit that is external to the additional component. This transferred data can be used to automatically configure the internal circuitry and connection functions of the IMD to properly interface with, and support, the additional component. For example, the data can be used to automatically adjust amplifier gains or other sensor circuitry, or to configure a connector block to properly couple to the component.

Abstract: An implantable pacemaker is provided with cardiac depolarization sensing electrodes welded into the case along a peripheral edge surface thereof. The electrodes are coupled to signal processing circuitry within the case to provide leadless acquisition of electrocardiographic data for telemetry to a programmer. Each electrode is a thin film, multilayer ceramic structure mounted in a welding ring. Each electrode is substantially flat and is disposed within a recess in the peripheral edge surface of the case. Each electrode is a sandwich structure comprising a thin film layer, first and second ceramic layers, and a ground plane layer between the ceramic layers.