Abstract: An identification device for an implantable lead includes an associated implantable sleeve and a radio frequency identification device (RFID) tag associated with the sleeve. The RFID tag includes information relating to the implantable lead, its associated lead system, or an associated implantable medical device. The RFID tag may be hermetically sealed within the sleeve and the sleeve selectively fixed along a length of the lead. The sleeve may comprise a loop forming an aperture, a crimped clamp device, a clamp device including a ratchet, clip, or rivet mechanism, or a clamp device including two separate clamshells, all of which allow for secure attachment to the lead. Alternatively, the sleeve may integrally be formed as part of the lead between a lead conductor and an insulated lumen. An external interrogator may be used for identifying information contained within the RFID tag.

Abstract: An energy management system facilitates the transfer of high frequency energy coupled into an implanted abandoned lead at a selected RF frequency or frequency band, to an energy dissipating surface. This is accomplished by conductively coupling the implanted abandoned lead to the energy dissipating surface of an abandoned lead cap through an energy diversion circuit including one or more passive electronic network components whose impedance characteristics are at least partially tuned to the implanted abandoned lead's impedance characteristics.

Abstract: An EMI shielded conduit assembly for an active implantable medical device (AIMD) includes an EMI shielded housing for the AIMD, a hermetic feedthrough terminal associated with the AIMD housing, and an electronic circuit board, substrate or network disposed within the AIMD housing remote from the hermetic feedthrough terminal. At least one leadwire extends from the hermetic feedthrough terminal to the remote circuit board, substrate or network. An EMI shield is conductively coupled to the AIMD housing and substantially co-extends about the leadwire in non-conductive relation thereto.

Abstract: Decoupling circuits are provided which transfer energy induced from an MRI pulsed RF field to the housing for an active implantable medical device (AIMD) which serves as an energy dissipating surface. This is accomplished through broadband filtering or by resonant filtering. In a passive component network for an AIMD, a frequency selective energy diversion circuit is provided for diverting high-frequency energy away from an AIMD lead to the AIMD housing for dissipation of said high-frequency energy.

Abstract: An energy management system facilitates the transfer of high frequency energy coupled into an implanted abandoned lead at a selected RF frequency or frequency band, to an energy dissipating surface. This is accomplished by conductively coupling the implanted abandoned lead to the energy dissipating surface of an abandoned lead cap through an energy diversion circuit including one or more passive electronic network components whose impedance characteristics are at least partially tuned to the implanted abandoned lead's impedance characteristics.

Abstract: Decoupling circuits are provided which transfer energy induced from an MRI pulsed RF field to an energy dissipating surface. This is accomplished through broadband filtering or by resonant filtering. In a passive component network for an implantable leadwire of an active implantable medical device, a frequency selective energy diversion circuit is provided for diverting high-frequency energy away from a leadwire electrode to a point or an area spaced from the electrode, for dissipation of high-frequency energy.

Abstract: Decoupling circuits are provided which transfer energy induced from an MRI pulsed RF field to an energy dissipating surface. This is accomplished through broadband filtering or by resonant filtering. In a passive component network for an implantable leadwire of an active implantable medical device, a frequency selective energy diversion circuit is provided for diverting high-frequency energy away from a leadwire electrode to a point or an area spaced from the electrode, for dissipation of high-frequency energy.

Abstract: Decoupling circuits are provided which transfer energy induced from an MRI pulsed RF field to an energy dissipating surface. This is accomplished through broadband filtering or by resonant filtering. In a passive component network for an implantable leadwire of an active implantable medical device, a frequency selective energy diversion circuit is provided for diverting high-frequency energy away from a leadwire electrode to a point or an area spaced from the electrode, for dissipation of high-frequency energy.

Abstract: A transient voltage/surge current protection system is provided for electronic circuits associated with implanted leads. In particular, a transient voltage suppressor such as a diode, a zener diode, a transorb, a surge protector, varistor components or the like, is placed in parallel with the electronic circuits to thereby divert harmful surge current and bypass the electronic circuit during an external defibrillation event or during an applied therapeutic shock, such as from an ICD.

Abstract: Decoupling circuits are provided which transfer energy induced from an MRI pulsed RF field to an energy dissipating surface. This is accomplished through broadband filtering or by resonant filtering. In a passive component network for an implantable leadwire of an active implantable medical device, a frequency selective energy diversion circuit is provided for diverting high-frequency energy away from a leadwire electrode to a point or an area spaced from the electrode, for dissipation of high-frequency energy.

Abstract: An EMI filtered terminal assembly includes at least one conductive terminal pin, a feedthrough capacitor, and a counter-bore associated with a passageway through the capacitor and the lead wire. Preferably, the feedthrough capacitor having counter-drilled holes on its top side is first bonded to a hermetic insulator. The counter-bore in the capacitor provides greater volume for the electro-mechanical attachment between the capacitor and the lead wire, permitting robotic dispensing of, for example, thermal-setting conductive adhesive.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an implantable medical device having a receptacle adapted to receive a connector assembly attached to a proximal end of an implantable lead. A distal end portion of the implantable lead carries at least one electrode electrically connected with a terminal contact on the connector assembly. The receptacle contains at least one internal insulative sealing surface. An anti-static coating comprising carbon nanotubes is applied to the at least one internal insulative sealing surface.

Abstract: A shielded three-terminal flat-through EMI/energy dissipating filter includes an active electrode plate through which a circuit current passes between a first terminal and a second terminal, a first shield plate on a first side of the active electrode plate, and a second shield plate on a second side of the active electrode plate opposite the first shield plate. The first and second shield plates are conductively coupled to a grounded third terminal. In preferred embodiments, the active electrode plate and the shield plates are at least partially disposed with a hybrid flat-through substrate that may include a flex cable section, a rigid cable section, or both.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead for transmitting electrical signals between an implantable medical device and selected body tissue comprises a lead body having a distal end portion, a proximal end and an electrically insulating, elongated housing connecting the distal end portion and the proximal end. The proximal end of the lead body carries an electrical connector assembly adapted to be electrically connected to the implantable medical device and the distal end portion of the lead body carries at least one electrode electrically coupled to a terminal contact on the connector assembly. The lead comprises at least one surface susceptible during use of the lead to the accumulation of electrostatic charges, the at least one surface having a coating comprising carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: An electrical contact assembly comprises an annular housing defining an interior space, the housing including a tubular wall having an outer surface facing the interior space and an inner surface defining a central opening adapted to receive an electrical contact, the wall defining at least one aperture. Contained within the interior space of the housing is a garter spring having an inner diameter, the garter spring encircling the outer surface of the wall under preload so that a portion of the inner diameter of the spring projects through the at least one aperture into the central opening of the housing for engaging an electrical contact received within the central opening. An implantable medical device incorporating such an electrical contact assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac system has a master pacing unit and a remote satellite pacing unit. The master pacing unit is electrically coupled to a right side of a patient's heart via a lead assembly. The satellite pacing unit is a leadless device mounted on the left side of the patient's heart and is wirelessly controlled by the master pacing unit. The satellite pacing unit is affixed to the heart by one or more mounting members. The base of the satellite unit case has a gel-like material which facilitates adhesion of the pacing unit to the heart tissue. The gel-like material promotes tissue growth to hold the pacing unit in place on the heart. The gel-like material may be composed of polyvinlpyrrolidone and may contain a steroid, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), or dexamethazone sodium phosphate.

Abstract: A connector assembly for coupling an electrical lead to an electrically energized device includes a non-conductive housing member with an elongated bore. A block member in the bore proximate the sealed end has a coaxial through bore. A first of multiple side by side pairs of seal assemblies and contact assemblies in the bore is proximate the block member, a last one is nearest the bore entrance. Each contact assembly has electrical commonality with a terminal of the device. A strain relief zone fixed to the housing member in the bore engages the last seal assembly and faces the bore entrance. Force on the strain relief zone toward the block member firmly seals in the bore all components defining a central passage coaxial with the through bore enabling electrical contact among multiple lead terminals inserted into the bore, an associated contact assembly, and an associated terminal of the device.

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 setscrewless connector assembly mounted on an implantable tissue stimulation device has an actuator mechanism for fixing, sealing and electrically isolating one or more electrical leads inserted into one or more corresponding lead receptacles within the connector assembly. Fixing and sealing of a lead are accomplished by compressing a resilient lead lock seal of O-ring shape, disposed in an annular recess, with a lip portion of a plunger drawn toward a molded support by the actuator mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, constant-force, high resolution compression of the lead lock seal by the plunger is provided by an actuator comprising a longitudinally extending shaft having a threaded end threadedly coupled to the plunger and an opposite end disposed within the molded support. A driver element, accessible from a side of the connector assembly, is coupled to the opposite end of the threaded shaft.