Abstract: A medical cable connector of a medical cable receives a medical lead while an electrical receptacle within the medical cable connector is placed into a distal position relative to an outer body of the medical cable connector. The electrical receptacle is retracted to a proximal position once insertion of the medical lead into the medical cable connector is completed. The electrical receptacle may be mounted to an inner body which moves relative to the outer body. A biasing member may be present to bias the inner body to a particular position. A slider may be present to provide a clinician with a surface to touch when applying force to position the electrical receptacle in the distal position for insertion of the medical lead. Various other features may be present to facilitate insertion of the medical lead and/or to maintain the position of the electrical receptacle relative to the outer body.

Abstract: A system for providing medical electrical stimulation including a lead assembly and a cannula. The lead assembly includes a lead body and a needle tip. The lead body has a distal section and a proximal section. The needle tip is formed of an electrically conductive material and is connected to the distal section of the lead body. The lead body is slidably disposed within a cannula lumen, with a distal end of the cannula being selectively connected to an abutment surface of the needle tip such that the needle tip extends distal the cannula to define a needle probe. With this construction, the lead assembly can be delivered to a desired implantation site via manipulation of the cannula and/or energization of the needle tip, and the cannula can be removed from the lead body without requiring movement of the needle tip.

Abstract: A system for providing medical electrical stimulation including a lead assembly and a cannula. The lead assembly includes a lead body and a needle tip. The lead body has a distal section and a proximal section. The needle tip is formed of an electrically conductive material and is connected to the distal section of the lead body. The lead body is slidably disposed within a cannula lumen, with a distal end of the cannula being selectively connected to an abutment surface of the needle tip such that the needle tip extends distal the cannula to define a needle probe. With this construction, the lead assembly can be delivered to a desired implantation site via manipulation of the cannula and/or energization of the needle tip, and the cannula can be removed from the lead body without requiring movement of the needle tip.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrode lead for stimulation of bodily tissue. The lead is adapted for use with a needle lumen diameter of not greater than 0.05 inch, and includes a lead body and a tine assembly. The lead body has a distal section forming at least one exposed electrode surface. The tine assembly includes a plurality of tines each having a base end coupled to an exterior of the lead body immediately adjacent the exposed electrode surface and a free end that is movable relative to the lead body to inhibit axial migration of the lead body upon implantation into a patient. In one embodiment, the lead body is a PNE lead and provides two electrode surfaces for bipolar operation.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrode lead for stimulation of bodily tissue. The lead is adapted for use with a needle lumen diameter of not greater than 0.05 inch, and includes a lead body and a tine assembly. The lead body has a distal section forming at least one exposed electrode surface. The tine assembly includes a plurality of tines each having a base end coupled to an exterior of the lead body immediately adjacent the exposed electrode surface and a free end that is movable relative to the lead body to inhibit axial migration of the lead body upon implantation into a patient. In one embodiment, the lead body is a PNE lead and provides two electrode surfaces for bipolar operation.

Abstract: A lead includes a lead body having at least two electrodes and a lead marker. The lead marker corresponds to a size and spacing of each of the at least two electrodes. The spacing between the electrodes and lead marker corresponds to an operative length of a first lead introducer configured to be used with the lead. Lead systems that include one or more lead introducers and kits including the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a lead body includes contacting a proximal section of the lead body having a lumen and a first lead body characteristic to a distal section of the lead body having a lumen and a second lead body characteristic. The proximal and distal sections are contacted such that their lumens are axially aligned. A lap band is disposed about a portion of the proximal section and a portion of the distal section, and is thermally formed to the proximal and distal sections. Axially compressive pressure is applied to the lap band as the lead body is being thermally formed. The pressure applied is sufficient to result in the lead body having an outer diameter in regions proximally and distally adjacent to the lap band that are substantially the same to an outer diameter in a region formed by the lap band.

Abstract: A medical lead includes a connector for operably coupling the lead to an active medical device. The connector includes a first tubular conductive contact having a length, a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending through the contact from the proximal end to the distal end. The connector also includes a second tubular conductive contact having a length, a proximal end, and a distal end. The length of the second contact is greater than the length of the first contact. The second contact is disposed in the lumen of the first contact such that the proximal and distal ends of the second contact extend beyond the proximal and distal ends of the first contact. The lead further includes first and second electrodes. The first electrode is operably coupled to the first contact, and the second electrode is operably coupled to the second contact.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an endoscopic delivery system that includes an endoscope and a tissue-receiving member. The tissue-receiving member includes an opening to receive the distal end of the endoscope. The tissue-receiving member also defines a tissue-receiving space that receives tissue when vacuum pressure is applied to the space through the endoscope. A tool and/or material may be delivered to the tissue drawn into the tissue-receiving space. The tissue-receiving member may be cap-like, and only receive the distal end of the endoscope, or include an overtube that receives a substantial portion of the endoscope. The system may be used to, for example, deliver tissue bulking devices to a location proximate to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Abstract: The disclosure describes an axial lead connector assembly for an implantable medical device (IMD). The lead connector assembly facilitates electrical connection between an implantable medical lead and circuitry contained within the housing of an IMD. A connector header defines an axial stack bore to receive an axial stack of in-line connector components. The connector components define a common lead bore to receive a proximal end of an implantable lead. The in-line stack of connector components may include seals, electrical connector elements, a strain relief, and a locking device, each of which defines a passage that forms part of the lead bore.

Abstract: An axial lead connector assembly for an implantable medical device (IMD) facilitates electrical connection between an implantable medical lead and circuitry contained within the housing of an IMD. A connector header defines an axial stack bore to receive an axial stack of in-line connector components. The connector components define a common lead bore to receive a proximal end of an implantable lead. The in-line stack of connector components may include seals, electrical connector elements, a strain relief, and a locking device, each of which defines a passage that forms part of the lead bore.

Abstract: An implantable intramuscular lead system, such as for use as a gastric lead, and method of use in which electrodes along the lead are imbedded in tissue. First and second anchors are mounted on an elongate lead. At least the second anchor is movable along the length of the lead relative to the first anchor to capture the tissue between the anchors so that the lead is retained in position. The system facilitates implantation of the lead in tissue, and may be particularly suited for minimally invasive implantation, such as laparoscopically.

Abstract: One or more tissue bulking devices are implanted to bulk a structure within a patient. The tissue bulking devices may be implanted between the structure and an adventitial layer that at least partially covers the structure, or within the adventitial layer. In some embodiments, the structure is a luminal wall that defines an inner lumen, and the bulking devices are implanted endoscopically via the lumen. In such embodiments, the tissue bulking devices may be implanted between a muscular layer of the luminal wall and an adventitial layer that at least partially covers the luminal wall, or within the adventitial layer. In exemplary embodiments, the luminal wall is the wall of the esophagus of the patient, and the tissue bulking devices are implanted proximate to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) of the patient to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Abstract: An implantable electrical lead for applying stimulation energy to bodily tissue, such as a patient's nervous system, from an external power source. The lead is defined by a distal section, an intermediate section and a proximal section, and includes a lead body, a plurality of insulated wires, and a plurality of connector elements. The lead body includes a plurality of electrodes and an anchoring device. The insulated wires are electrically coupled to the electrodes, respectively. A wire intermediate segment extends proximal the lead body and is characterized as having a non-coiled configuration, terminating at a respective connector element for coupling to an external power source. The wire intermediate segments are extendible through a patient's skin and are sealable relative to the skin. The lead is adapted for providing temporary electrical stimulation to a sacral nerve in a bipolar mode, with the anchoring device inhibiting electrode migration.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrical lead for applying electrical stimulation energy from an external power source and adapted to be introduced through a small diameter needle. The lead includes a lead body and a fixation assembly. The lead body includes a wire and an electrically non-conductive material. The wire forms a wound coil along a distal portion thereof. The non-conductive material covers some of the wire coil, with an uncovered distal region of the wire serving as an electrode. The fixation assembly is coupled to the uncovered distal region and includes at least one fixation member. The fixation assembly is transitionable between a contracted state and an expanded state, with the fixation member extending outwardly relative to the coil to a greater extent in the expanded state. In the expanded state, the fixation assembly serves to inhibit axial migration of the lead body.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrode lead for stimulation of bodily tissue. The lead is adapted for use with a needle lumen diameter of not greater than 0.05 inch, and includes a lead body and a tine assembly. The lead body has a distal section forming at least one exposed electrode surface. The tine assembly includes a plurality of tines each having a base end coupled to an exterior of the lead body immediately adjacent the exposed electrode surface and a free end that is movable relative to the lead body to inhibit axial migration of the lead body upon implantation into a patient. In one embodiment, the lead body is a PNE lead and provides two electrode surfaces for bipolar operation.

Abstract: A system for providing medical electrical stimulation including a lead assembly and a cannula. The lead assembly includes a lead body and a needle tip. The lead body has a distal section and a proximal section. The needle tip is formed of an electrically conductive material and is connected to the distal section of the lead body. The lead body is slidably disposed within a cannula lumen, with a distal end of the cannula being selectively connected to an abutment surface of the needle tip such that the needle tip extends distal the cannula to define a needle probe. With this construction, the lead assembly can be delivered to a desired implantation site via manipulation of the cannula and/or energization of the needle tip, and the cannula can be removed from the lead body without requiring movement of the needle tip.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an axial lead connector assembly for an implantable medical device (IMD). The lead connector assembly facilitates electrical connection between an implantable medical lead and circuitry contained within the housing of an IMD. A connector header defines an axial stack bore to receive an axial stack of in-line connector components. The connector components define a common lead bore to receive a proximal end of an implantable lead. The in-line stack of connector components may include seals, electrical connector elements, a strain relief, and a locking device, each of which defines a passage that forms part of the lead bore.

Abstract: The invention includes a delivery device for introducing a prosthesis beneath a tissue surface that includes an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, an opening on the elongate body, which is at least partially covered by a mesh, and a deployment lumen extending through the body that has a longitudinal axis and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the deployment lumen is positioned proximal of the opening. Also included are delivery systems and kits that include delivery devices of the invention. Further, an overtube for receiving an endoscope, that includes an elongate, flexible tubular body, having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis, at least one lumen extending therethrough for receiving an endoscope, an opening on the body, in communication with the lumen, and a tissue limiting surface within the body aligned with the opening, formed at least in part by a mesh. Methods of using the devices, and kits are also included in the invention.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an endoscopic delivery system that includes an endoscope and a tissue-receiving member. The tissue-receiving member includes an opening to receive the distal end of the endoscope. The tissue-receiving member also defines a tissue-receiving space that receives tissue when vacuum pressure is applied to the space through the endoscope. A tool and/or material may be delivered to the tissue drawn into the tissue-receiving space. The tissue-receiving member may be cap-like, and only receive the distal end of the endoscope, or include an overtube that receives a substantial portion of the endoscope. The system may be used to, for example, deliver tissue bulking devices to a location proximate to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).