Abstract: A body-implantable lead suitable for use in conjunction with implantable cardiac devices and method for assembling a body-implantable lead suitable for use in conjunction with implantable cardiac devices. The body-implantable lead includes a lead body having at least one inner lumen and at least one elongated conductor cable residing within the inner lumen. An end portion of the conductor cable is joined by an aligned weld joint directly to an end portion of a lead component. Exemplary lead components include, but are not limited to, an electrode member, an elongated conductive connector pin of a proximal connector, a conductor extending from a proximal end of a distal tip of the lead, and a second elongated conductor cable residing within a second inner lumen of the lead body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lead connector end of an implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. The method may include: provide a mold cavity including a feature and a longitudinal axis; place a ring contact in the mold cavity, engage the ring contact with the feature; fill the mold cavity with a mold material, the feature preventing displacement of the ring contact along the longitudinal axis; allow the mold material to cure; remove a resulting lead connector end from the mold cavity; and reduce an excessive diameter of the resulting lead connector end to a finished diameter.

Abstract: An implantable endocardial lead for use with a cardiac stimulation device includes an electrically active housing including a tubular end region extending to a terminal rim at the distal end of the lead and an electrical conductor within the lead extending between proximal and distal ends. An active fixation electrode within and spaced from the electrically active housing includes an electrically active helix coaxial with the endocardial lead coupled to the distal end of the electrical conductor and movable between a retracted position fully within the housing and an extended position advanced beyond the terminal rim of the housing for effecting penetration into the myocardial tissue. A guide system located proximally of the active fixation electrode serves to rotate the electrically active helix about the longitudinal axis as the helix is moved between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A technique for removing from a body an implanted lead including an active fixation electrode includes the operation of releasably attaching an elongated stylet to the distal end of the implanted lead, specifically, to the electrode at the distal end of the lead. This results in a reasonably unified stylet and implanted lead structure whereby withdrawal of the stylet and of the implanted lead as a unit facilitates the complete removal of the implanted lead from the body. A threaded tip end of the stylet is used for threaded engagement with a tapped bore in the electrode. The threaded tip end of the stylet becomes locked to the electrode by rotating in one direction the threaded portion into the threaded bore and the stylet is removable by counter-rotating the threaded tip end of the stylet relative to the electrode.

Abstract: A method of joining a wound element, or coiled wire strand, and a mating component, or integral ledge member, of a body implantable lead assembly wherein the former has a interior passage and an end portion adapted to be received by the latter. In one embodiment, the integral ledge member is formed with an integral collar spaced from a terminal end thereof. The wound element is placed about the receiving portion and over the terminal end of the mating component and against the collar. The components are then joined by thermally fusing them together, preferably by means of a laser. If the collar and the wound element are fabricated of the same alloy, the thickness of the collar and the diameter of the coiled wire strand are designed to be substantially equal.

Abstract: A technique for removing an implanted lead from a body includes the steps of releasably attaching a stylet to both the distal end of the implanted lead and to the proximal end of the implanted lead. This results in a substantially unified stylet and implanted lead structure whereby withdrawal of the stylet and of the implanted lead as a unit facilitates the complete removal of the implanted lead from the body. A threaded tip end may be used for threaded engagement with a tapped bore at the distal end of the implanted lead and at the proximal end, attachment being provided by a threaded region on the stylet distant from the threaded tip end for threaded engagement with a tapped bore of a connector pin integral with the implanted lead. In this instance, the diameter of the proximal threaded region on the stylet is greater than that of the threaded tip end.

Abstract: A technique for removing an implanted lead from a body includes the steps of releasably attaching a stylet to both the distal end of the implanted lead and to the proximal end of the implanted lead. This results in a substantially unified stylet and implanted lead structure whereby withdrawal of the stylet and of the implanted lead as a unit facilitates the complete removal of the implanted lead from the body. A threaded tip end may be used for threaded engagement with a tapped bore at the distal end of the implanted lead and at the proximal end, attachment being provided by a threaded region on the stylet distant from the threaded tip end for threaded engagement with a tapped bore of a connector pin integral with the implanted lead. In this instance, the diameter of the proximal threaded region on the stylet is greater than that of the threaded tip end.

Abstract: An electrode assembly including a tip electrode and a longitudinally extending axially aligned weld electrode egageably receiving a distal end of a coiled wire strand conductor at a proximal end. A connector member includes a fastener having an enlarged head and a threaded shank, the weld electrode includes an integral weld sleeve with an annular locking tab engageable with the enlarged head to prevent longitudinal movement while permitting rotational movement. The weld electrode has an internal bore for receiving an elongated stylet selectively engageable therewith for implanting and explanting the electrode assembly. The tip electrode includes an integral attachment sleeve having an outer peripheral surface extending in a direction away from the tip and having a longitudinally extending tapped bore for engagement with the threaded shank of the connector member. The weld sleeve and attachment sleeve are mutually stepped to prevent their relative rotation when in the locked position.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a body implantable lead provided for the delivery of stimulation energy to a desired body site includes a tip electrode having a face adapted for positioning at least adjacent the desired body site and a longitudinally extending axially aligned weld electrode engageably receiving a distal end of an electrical conductor at a proximal end. The electrical conductor is a coiled wire strand with an inner peripheral surface for fitting reception on an outer peripheral surface of the weld electrode. A connector member includes a fastener having an enlarged head and a threaded shank, the weld electrode includes an integral weld sleeve with an annular locking tab engageable with the enlarged head to prevent longitudinal movement while permitting rotational movement. The weld electrode has an internal bore for receiving an elongated stylet selectively engageable therewith for implanting the electrode assembly at a desired body site and for explanting the electrode assembly from that body site.

Abstract: A technique for removing an implanted lead from a body includes the steps of releasably attaching a stylet to both the distal end of the implanted lead and to the proximal end of the implanted lead. This results in a substantially unified stylet and implanted lead structure whereby withdrawal of the stylet and of the implanted lead as a unit facilitates the complete removal of the implanted lead from the body. A threaded tip end may be used for threaded engagement with a tapped bore at the distal end of the implanted lead and at the proximal end, attachment being provided by a threaded region on the stylet distant from the threaded tip end for threaded engagement with a tapped bore of a connector pin integral with the implanted lead. In this instance, the diameter of the proximal threaded region on the stylet is greater than that of the threaded tip end.