Abstract: A lead locking mechanism suitable for use in a cardiac pacer is provided for axial in-line lead attachment in a pacer neck thereby permitting reduction in pacer neck thickness. The lead locking mechanism includes a substantially fixed annular collar and a hollow screw member threadedly mounted within the annular collar. The annular collar and hollow screw member confine a radially contractable and expandable lead locking member therebetween which functions to clamp a lead connector pin in response to movement of the hollow screw member.

Abstract: The quick connector includes an elastomeric sleeve, a rod slidable in the sleeve, and a tube mounted in permanent assembly with one end of the rod. The tube is split at an outer end providing a pair of jaw-like tube segments which extend in divergent relation when in an open position. Each of the segments has a series of longitudinally spaced rearwardly extending barbs. A guide wire having an axially inner end is co-axially embedded in the rod and an axially outer end of the guide wire projects axially outwardly between the diverging jaw-like tube segments. A medical electrical lead is co-axially mounted over the guide wire and between the diverging jaw-like tube segments in radially disposed relation to the barbs. The lead includes a tubular insulation sheath and a coiled conductor in the sheath.

Abstract: The upsizing adapter is used for electrically and mechanically coupling (a) a small size terminal electrode assembly having at least one ring electrode and a pin electrode and being situated at the proximal end of a pacing lead to (b) a large size terminal electrode assembly socket in a pacer having at least first and second electrical contacts therein for making contact with a large size terminal electrode assembly having a ring electrode and a pin electrode. The adapter comprises a tubular body and a first electrical coupling for electrically coupling a ring electrode of a small size terminal electrode assembly with a first electrical contact in a pacer and a second electrical coupling for electrically coupling a terminal pin electrode of a small size terminal electrode assembly with a second electrical contact in the pacer terminal electrode assembly socket.

Abstract: An extractor is provided for safely and easily removing an implanted lead such as a cardiac pacing lead from a patient. The extractor accomplishes a method that includes imparting a wedging condition to an implanted lead at a distal location thereof, such as a location at or near an electrode implanted in an atrium or ventricle of a heart, which wedging condition permits a pulling force to be transmitted along the length of the extractor and to the implanted electrode location, thereby avoiding the need to impart any substantial pulling forces along length of the lead itself. The extractor includes a tube and a line which move with respect to each other to impart the wedging condition onto a distal portion of the implanted lead.

Abstract: The electrode assembly (10) is adapted to be mounted at the distal end of a pacing lead (19) and comprises a mushroom shaped tip electrode (12, 90) having a reduced in diameter terminal pin (22, 42, 62, 92) extending rearwardly therefrom. A sleeve (34) of insulating material is positioned about said terminal pin (22, 42, 62, 92) and a coiled single or multiple wire conductor bared end portion (18, 44, 64, 96) of the pacing lead (19) is received on the terminal pin (22, 42, 62, 92) within the sleeve (34). The pin (22, 42, 62, 92) has a spiral, thread-like formation (48; 98,100) or ramp formation (66) thereon onto which the bared wire conductor end portion (18, 44, 64, 96) is threaded to form a secure and good mechanical and electrical connection (35, 60, 80, 110) between the terminal pin (22, 42, 62, 92) and the bared wire conductor end portion (18, 44, 64, 96).

Abstract: The quick lock/quick release connector is fixed within a socket in a neck of a pacer and includes gripping members for gripping a terminal pin at the distal end of a terminal electrode assembly inserted in the socket and for establishing good mechanical and electrical connection with the terminal pin. The connector further includes a mechanism for manipulating the gripping members from the outside of the pacer body to release the grip of the gripping members on the terminal pin.

Abstract: The pacing lead assembly includes a multiconductor pacing lead including a plurality of wire conductors within a sheath of insulating material. A connector assembly surrounds the proximal end of the pacing lead and includes spaced apart metal bands on the sheath with each one of the wire conductors electrically connected to one of the metal bands. The connector assembly also includes insulating segments between the metal bands and a resilient conductive ring on each metal band adapted to make electrical connection with a metal ring in a socket in a pulse generator into which the connector assembly is inserted. The metal bands are spool-shaped with end flanges that provide means for retaining each resilient conductive ring in place on the metal band.

Abstract: A cardiac lead having ring electrodes positioned at predetermined locations along the length of the lead either for stimulating the heart at various selected locations. The cardiac lead includes an insulative tubing having a plurality of apertures positioned at the distal end of the lead at selected locations along the length of the tubing. A plurality of coiled conductors are positioned within the tubing and each extend through a respective one of the apertures. The insulation is removed from the end of the conductor for that portion of the conductor extending outside of the insulative tubing, and this uninsulated portion of the conductor is coiled about the peripheral surface of the insulative tubing. A plurality of ring electrodes are each positioned to cover a respective one of the coils of uninsulated conductor.

Abstract: The method of the present invention is used to make a multiconductor coil having an outer diameter equal to the diameter of a winding mandrel plus the diameter of wires being coiled while preserving homogeneity of the insulating coating and of the insulation between the wires. The method includes the steps of: winding a first uninsulated wire conductor on a winding mandrel with a predetermined spacing between adjacent turns of the coil of wire conductor; coating the uninsulated coil of wire conductor with an insulating coating; repeating the above two steps for each additional wire conductor to be included in the multiconductor coil; and, after the insulating coating on each wire conductor coil has dried and/or solidified, screwing each additional coil into the first coil to form a multiconductor coil having a desired homogeneity of the insulating coating and of the insulation between adjacent turns in the multiconductor coil.

Abstract: A cardiac pacer employing the connector system disclosed herein is usable with either a unipolar lead or a bipolar lead provided with a plug at the proximal end having an extending pin portion to which a distal stimulating electrode is electrically connected. In the case of a bipolar electrode, an annular ring is provided on the plug to which the reference or indifferent electrode is connected. Respective clamping means are provided for establishing electrical connections to the pin and the annular ring, if present. A bridging means is provided for utilizing the pacer case as a reference potential when a unipolar lead is being used.

Abstract: A tubular connector for a cardiac pacer lead assembly has axially spaced inner and outer rings for sealing engagement with the wall of a pacer neck, and grooves outwardly adjacent the rings. As the rings are deflected backwardly when the lead is inserted into the pacer neck, they overlay the grooves. Any fluid trapped under pressure between the rings will act to press the inner ring into greater sealing engagement with the wall of the pacer neck.

Abstract: A momentary push button switch having a helical spring contact with tangentially extending opposite ends. The spring is seated over a vertical post on a base member and the lower tangential end of the spring permanently engages one stationary contact in the base. The upper tangential end of the spring contact selectively engages a horizontal arm of a second stationary contact on the base.A plunger (push button) fits over the vertical post and engages the top end of the helical spring. A keyway on the plunger slidingly engages a guide post on the base. Depression of the plunger disengages the upper tangential end of the spring from the arm of the second stationary contact.Two alternative embodiments for normally open switch configurations are disclosed.