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 helical liner disposed coaxially with the lumen within the insulative member. A pitch of the helical liner varies along the length of the lead. 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.

Abstract: An assembly for an implantable device can be made from PEEK and can incorporate one or more radiopaque agents and one or more elutable drug components into a polymeric lead tip. The assembly can be machined or injection molded and can be configured, for example, as a housing for an active fixation lead or as an electrode base supporting a foil electrode.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a lead system for anchoring a lead, the lead system comprising a lead and an anchor. The anchor can comprise a ring and a flange extending from the ring. The anchor can be mounted on the lead such that the lead extends through the ring and the flange extends over an electrode of the lead. The lead system can further comprise a tether having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the tether can attached to the lead while the distal portion of the tether can be attached to a needle. During an implantation procedure, the tether can be cut to remove the needle. The tether can then be attached to the flange. The lead, the anchor, and the tether can form a loop around a section of tissue to anchor the lead to the tissue.

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.

Abstract: A medical device lead includes an insulative body having a proximal region with a proximal end, and a distal region with a distal end. The medical device lead also includes a connector coupled to the proximal end of the insulative body of the lead to electrically and mechanically connect the lead to an implantable pulse generator. The medical device lead further includes a conductor extending through the insulative body with a proximal end electrically connected to the connector. A distal electrode assembly at a distal end of the insulative body includes a proximal portion electrically coupled to a distal end of the conductor, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion comprises a coiled element electrically connecting the proximal portion and distal portion.

Abstract: Devices or methods such as for stimulating excitable tissue or sensing physiologic response or other signals that can use chronic fixation mechanism are described. An implantable apparatus can comprise an electrostimulation electrode assembly that can include a primary fixation member and a secondary fixation member. The primary fixation member can be actively engaged or affixed to a target tissue of a patient, and the second fixation member can be biased against the target tissue, collapsed or compressed against the target tissue when the primary fixation member is affixed to the target tissue. The electrostimulation electrode assembly can also include at least one electrode such as to contact heart or other excitable tissue such as to deliver chronic electrostimulation or sensing physiologic responses.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include an implantable medical device. The implantable medical device may include an implantable pacing member having a housing and a lead input. A lead may be coupled to the lead input. The lead may be designed to extend along a pericardial space, epicardium, or both and engage a heart chamber. A passageway may be defined along a portion of the length of the lead.

Abstract: An assembly for an implantable device can be made from PEEK and can incorporate one or more radiopaque agents and one or more elutable drug components into a polymeric lead tip. The assembly can be machined or injection molded and can be configured, for example, as a housing for an active fixation lead or as an electrode base supporting a foil electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the materials and methods for improving the wettability of an implantable medical device. More specifically, the invention relates to devices and methods for coating at least a portion of a medical device to improve wettability and reduce electrical impedance. Given the challenges of maintaining consistent and predictable electrical characteristics as implantable medical devices become smaller in size, there remains a continual need to improve wettability in an effort to improve medical outcomes.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead exhibits reduced heating under MRI conditions. The lead includes a multi-layer coil conductor including an inner coil layer, a middle coil layer disposed around the inner coil layer, and an outer coil layer disposed around the middle coil layer. Each of the coil layers is characterized by one or more of a filar thickness, a coil pitch, or a coil diameter configured such that the coil conductor exhibits a high inductance when exposed to MRI radiation. Each of the coil layers is electrically connected to the other coil layers to provide parallel conductive paths resulting in a coil conductor resistance suitable for defibrillation lead applications.

Abstract: Methods and devices for redirecting at least a portion of a fluid from the mesenteric lymphatic system for elimination from the body are disclosed. The fluid may be redirected for elimination through the urinary system, through the gastrointestinal system, or redirected outside the body. The device may include a valve to control a flow of the fluid. The methods and devices disclosed may prevent a portion of a patient's dietary lipids, including cholesterol, from being metabolized and absorbed, thereby reducing the total caloric load to assist in weight management and/or for prevention/treatment of atherosclerosis.

Abstract: A system includes a medical device lead including a connector at a proximal end of the lead, a conductor electrically connected to the connector at a proximal end of the conductor, and at least one electrode coupled to a distal end of the conductor. The system further includes a device securable to the proximal end of the lead including an inductive element. The device includes a port configured to receive the connector and position the inductive element around at least a portion of the connector.

Abstract: An implantable electrical lead includes a lead body and a multi-layer coil conductor extending within the lead body. The multi-layer coil conductor includes a first coil layer and a second coil layer disposed about the first coil layer. The first and second coil layers are configured such that the multi-layer coil conductor has an axial stiffness substantially equal to an axial stiffness of the lead body adjacent to the multi-layer coil conductor.

Abstract: A medical device lead includes a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is configured for connection to a pulse generator. One or more electrodes are at a distal end of the lead body, and a lead conductor extends through the lead body and is electrically coupled to at least one of the one or more electrodes. The conductor is configured to deliver electrical signals between the proximal end and the at least one of the one or more electrodes. A sacrificial conductor extends through the lead body adjacent to lead conductor and is configured to fail at a lower stress than the lead conductor.

Abstract: A medical device lead includes an insulative body having a proximal region with a proximal end, and a distal region with a distal end. The medical device lead also includes a connector coupled to the proximal end of the insulative body of the lead to electrically and mechanically connect the lead to an implantable pulse generator. The medical device lead further includes a conductor extending through the insulative body with a proximal end electrically connected to the connector. A distal electrode assembly at a distal end of the insulative body includes a proximal portion electrically coupled to a distal end of the conductor, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion comprises a coiled element electrically connecting the proximal portion and distal portion.

Abstract: An implantable pulse generator includes a device housing containing pulse generator circuitry and a header connected to the device housing. The header includes a core assembly defining first and second lead bore cavities sized for receiving terminal pins of leads, first and second labels, and an outer layer. The first label is printed onto a surface of the core assembly proximate the first lead bore cavity and includes a first color. The second label is printed onto the surface of the core assembly proximate the second lead bore cavity and includes a second color different from the first color. The outer layer is overmolded over the core assembly so as to encapsulate the first and second labels and to allow access to the first and second lead bore cavities.

Abstract: Devices or methods such as for stimulating excitable tissue or sensing physiologic response or other signals are described. An implantable apparatus can comprise an electrostimulation electrode assembly that can include an electrostimulation unit, at least first and second electrodes, and a fixation guide. The electrostimulation unit can generate electrostimulation for stimulating excitable tissue to achieve desired diagnostic or therapeutic effects. The first and second electrodes, coupled to the electrostimulation unit, can deliver the electrostimulation to two or more stimulation sites such as inside two or more heart chambers or on the surface of the heart. The fixation guide can engage and retain a maneuvering device used for steerably positioning and securing the first and second electrostimulation electrodes at respective stimulation site.

Abstract: A system includes a medical device lead including a connector at a proximal end of the lead, a conductor electrically connected to the connector at a proximal end of the conductor, and at least one electrode coupled to a distal end of the conductor. The system further includes a device securable to the proximal end of the lead including an inductive element. The device includes a port configured to receive the connector and position the inductive element around at least a portion of the connector.

Abstract: Fixation mechanism assemblies and methods are disclosed. A fixation mechanism assembly can include a first fixation member and a second fixation member moveably engaged with the first fixation member. The first fixation member can include a housing having a tissue facing surface and an opposing non-tissue facing surface, one or more guide apertures extending between the tissue facing surface and the non-tissue facing surface, and one or more first fixation elements. The first fixation member includes a longitudinal body and a proximal end attached to, or integrated with, the tissue facing surface of the housing. The second fixation member can include one or more second fixation elements. The second fixation element can correspond to a guide aperture and includes a longitudinal body, a proximal end attached to, or integrated with, the second fixation member, and a distal end movable through the corresponding guide aperture.

Abstract: Implantable leadless pacing devices and medical device systems including an implantable leadless pacing device are disclosed. An example implantable leadless pacing device may include a pacing capsule. The pacing capsule may include a housing. The housing may have a proximal region and a distal region. A first electrode may be disposed along the distal region. An anchoring member may be coupled to the distal region. One or more anti-rotation members may be fixedly attached to the distal region.