Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a shuttle apparatus for detachably joining a catheter to a guidewire so that the joined catheter, extending alongside the guidewire, is in sliding engagement with the guidewire without extending around the guidewire. The apparatus comprises a collar member sized for mounting in sliding engagement around a length of the guidewire, the collar member having a longitudinal axis that approximately aligns along the length, when mounted thereabout, the length being defined between a proximal-most point of the guidewire and a distal point of the guidewire, the distal point being offset proximally from a distal-most point of the guidewire. The apparatus further comprises a plug member coupled to the collar member, the plug member having a longitudinal axis, and the plug member being sized to fit within an opening of the catheter for detachable engagement therewith.

Abstract: A tethering assembly for securing a medical device includes a shaft and a wire that extends in sliding engagement within a proximal lumen, a channel, and a distal receptacle of the shaft. A retainer zone of the shaft, through which the channel extends, stops a transition segment of the wire, which extends between a proximal and a distal segment of the wire, from moving into the shaft receptacle, thereby restraining a distal-most tip of the wire from moving through a distal-most opening of the receptacle. When a projecting member of the device has entered a secure zone of the receptacle, via movement through the distal-most opening and a tapering passageway thereof, the distal-most tip of the wire, which may be spring-biased, can move distally into the passageway so that the tip blocks the projecting member from moving distally, back through the passageway.

Abstract: A tethering assembly for securing a medical device includes a shaft and a wire that extends in sliding engagement within a proximal lumen, a channel, and a distal receptacle of the shaft. A retainer zone of the shaft, through which the channel extends, stops a transition segment of the wire, which extends between a proximal and a distal segment of the wire, from moving into the shaft receptacle, thereby restraining a distal-most tip of the wire from moving through a distal-most opening of the receptacle. When a projecting member of the device has entered a secure zone of the receptacle, via movement through the distal-most opening and a tapering passageway thereof, the distal-most tip of the wire, which may be spring-biased, can move distally into the passageway so that the tip blocks the projecting member from moving distally, back through the passageway.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a shuttle apparatus for detachably joining a catheter to a guidewire so that the joined catheter, extending alongside the guidewire, is in sliding engagement with the guidewire without extending around the guidewire. The apparatus comprises a collar member sized for mounting in sliding engagement around a length of the guidewire, the collar member having a longitudinal axis that approximately aligns along the length, when mounted thereabout, the length being defined between a proximal-most point of the guidewire and a distal point of the guidewire, the distal point being offset proximally from a distal-most point of the guidewire. The apparatus further comprises a plug member coupled to the collar member, the plug member having a longitudinal axis, and the plug member being sized to fit within an opening of the catheter for detachable engagement therewith.

Abstract: A tethering assembly for securing a medical device includes a shaft and a wire that extends in sliding engagement within a proximal lumen, a channel, and a distal receptacle of the shaft. A retainer zone of the shaft, through which the channel extends, stops a transition segment of the wire, which extends between a proximal and a distal segment of the wire, from moving into the shaft receptacle, thereby restraining a distal-most tip of the wire from moving through a distal-most opening of the receptacle. When a projecting member of the device has entered a secure zone of the receptacle, via movement through the distal-most opening and a tapering passageway thereof, the distal-most tip of the wire, which may be spring-biased, can move distally into the passageway so that the tip blocks the projecting member from moving distally, back through the passageway.

Abstract: A distal section of an implantable medical electrical lead body includes a pair of pre-formed arcuate segments between which an approximately straight segment extends. The approximately straight segment includes a first portion extending distally from a first of the pair pre-formed arcuate segments, a second portion extending from the first portion, a third portion extending from the second to a second of the pair pre-formed arcuate segments. An electrode is coupled to the second portion of the approximately straight segment, and the adjacent first portion has a stiffness which is less than that of the first of the pair pre-formed arcuate segments and preferably less than the stiffness of the third portion, so that, when the distal section of the lead body is implanted, for example, within a cardiac vein, the lead buckles to bring the electrode into closer contact with surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A distal section of an implantable medical electrical lead body includes a pair of pre-formed arcuate segments between which an approximately straight segment extends. The approximately straight segment includes a first portion extending distally from a first of the pair pre-formed arcuate segments, a second portion extending from the first portion, a third portion extending from the second to a second of the pair pre-formed arcuate segments. An electrode is coupled to the second portion of the approximately straight segment, and the adjacent first portion has a stiffness which is less than that of the first of the pair pre-formed arcuate segments and preferably less than the stiffness of the third portion, so that, when the distal section of the lead body is implanted, for example, within a cardiac vein, the lead buckles to bring the electrode into closer contact with surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A bipolar cardiac vein lead and method of assembly is provided wherein the lead includes a flexible coil anode electrode such that the lead may be advanced through a tortuous pathway. The coil electrode is coupled to a conductor using a method of assembly that minimizes or eliminates rigid components, maintaining flexibility of the distal lead end. Multi-polar cardiac vein leads may include multiple flexible coil electrodes to achieve pacing and/or sensing in the left atrium and the left ventricle or at multiple left heart sites.

Abstract: A bipolar cardiac vein lead and method of assembly is provided wherein the lead includes a flexible coil anode electrode such that the lead may be advanced through a tortuous pathway. The coil electrode is coupled to a conductor using a method of assembly that minimizes or eliminates rigid components, maintaining flexibility of the distal lead end. Multi-polar cardiac vein leads may include multiple flexible coil electrodes to achieve pacing and/or sensing in the left atrium and the left ventricle or at multiple left heart sites.