Abstract: An implantable system for infusing a fluid agent and providing electrical stimulation without requiring an implanted pump or implanted source of electrical energy. An implantable housing is fitted with a percutaneous fill port that communicates with a reservoir to hold a fluid agent, such as a drug. An antenna located inside the housing receives radio frequency power signals from an outside antenna. A pulse generator outside the housing receives power and information from the radio frequency signals to produce stimulation pulses. The pulses and the fluid agent are both transported by a catheter to a site of application in the body. A connector allows the stimulation pulses and fluid agent to be transported from the housing to the catheter while maintaining electrical isolation between the stimulating pulses and the fluid agent.

Abstract: An intravenous lead for use with a cardiac device for implantation in the coronary sinus or the coronary sinus and great cardiac vein of the heart provides positive fixation for the lead when implanted in the coronary sinus or the coronary sinus and great vein of the heart. The lead includes a lead body adapted to be fed into the coronary sinus and great vein of the heart of a patient and at least one electrode carried by the lead body and adapted to be coupled to the implantable cardiac device. The lead body includes a preformed section having a resiliently coiled configuration. The coiled section is a left-handed turned coiled section which provides superior positive fixation of the lead as compared to right-handed turned coiled sections for use in the coronary sinus and great cardiac vein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for regulating the growth of connective tissue proper in vivo are provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic field generator and a magnetic field detector for producing a controlled, fluctuating, directionally oriented magnetic field parallel to a predetermined axis projecting through the target tissue. The field detector samples the magnetic flux density along the predetermined access and provides a signal to a microprocessor which determines the average value of the flux density. The applied magnetic field is oscillated at predetermined frequencies to maintain a preselected ratio of frequency to average flux density. This ratio is maintained by adjusting the frequency of the fluctuating magnetic field and/or by adjusting the intensity of the applied magnetic field as the composite magnetic flux density changes in response to changes in the local magnetic field to which the target tissue is subjected.