Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for the regeneration of tissue by pre-tensioning of tissue prior to or in conjunction with the application of mechanotransduction therapy.

Abstract: An adjustable apparatus, system, and method for the regeneration of tissue by aligning a direction of therapy toward a tissue to be treated with mechanotherapy or mechanotransduction therapy.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for the regeneration of tissue by pre-tensioning of tissue prior to or in conjunction with the application of mechanotransduction therapy.

Abstract: An implantable lead which has an increased resistance to fracture and has the capability of continued function after fracture of a conductor. The lead is provided with a coiled conductor which may be monofilar or multifilar and which extends along the length of the lead, running from an electrical connector at the proximal end of the lead to an electrode at or near the distal end of the lead. In addition, the lead is provided with a stranded conductor which is electrically coupled to the coiled conductor at point along the lead body located proximal to the point of expected breakage of the coiled conductor and at a point along the lead body located distal to the point of expected breakage. The proximal and distal ends of the stranded conductor in some embodiments are also mechanically coupled to the coiled conductor.

Abstract: An elongate body of a medical device includes at least one retaining segment extending along a length of the body, the retaining segment including a plurality of fish-like scales directed in a first common direction.

Abstract: A medical device having retention means extending along a length of an elongate body of the medical device including a plurality of projections adapted to interfere with a wall of a generally tubular vessel to retain the body within the vessel.

Abstract: An isolated heart preparation in which essentially normal pumping activity of all four chambers of the heart is preserved, allowing for the use of the preparation in conjunction with investigations of electrode leads, catheters, cardiac implants and other medical devices intended to be used in or on a beating heart. The preparation may also be employed to investigate heart functions, in the presence or absence of such medical devices. In order to allow for visualization of heart structures and devices located within the chambers of the heart, a clear perfusate such as a modified Krebs buffer solution with oxygenation is circulated through all four chambers of the heart and the coronary vasculature. The preparation and recordings of the preparation may be used in conjunction with the design, development and evaluation of devices for use in or on the heart, as well as for use as an investigational and teaching aid to assist physicians and students in understanding the operation of the heart.

Abstract: Novel retention means extending along a length of an elongate body of a medical device include a plurality of projections adapted to interfere with a wall of a generally tubular vessel to retain the body within the vessel.

Abstract: An elongate body of a medical device includes at least one retaining segment extending along a length of the body, the retaining segment including a plurality of fish-like scales directed in a first common direction.

Abstract: An implantable lead which has an increased resistance to fracture and has the capability of continued function after fracture of a conductor. The lead is provided with a coiled conductor which may be monofilar or multifilar and which extends along the length of the lead, running from an electrical connector at the proximal end of the lead to an electrode at or near the distal end of the lead. In addition, the lead is provided with a stranded conductor which is electrically coupled to the coiled conductor at point along the lead body located proximal to the point of expected breakage of the coiled conductor and at a point along the lead body located distal to the point of expected breakage. The proximal and distal ends of the stranded conductor in some embodiments are also mechanically coupled to the coiled conductor.

Abstract: An implantable lead which has an increased resistance to fracture and has the capability of continued function after fracture of a conductor. The lead is provided with a coiled conductor which may be monofilar or multifilar and which extends along the length of the lead, running from an electrical connector at the proximal end of the lead to an electrode at or near the distal end of the lead. In addition, the lead is provided with a stranded conductor which is electrically coupled to the coiled conductor at point along the lead body located proximal to the point of expected breakage of the coiled conductor and at a point along the lead body located distal to the point of expected breakage. The proximal and distal ends of the stranded conductor in some embodiments are also mechanically coupled to the coiled conductor.

Abstract: An implantable lead which has an increased resistance to fracture and has the capability of continued function after fracture of a conductor. The lead is provided with a coiled conductor which may be monofilar or multifilar and which extends along the length of the lead, running from an electrical connector at the proximal end of the lead to an electrode at or near the distal end of the lead. In addition, the lead is provided with a stranded conductor which is electrically coupled to the coiled conductor at point along the lead body located proximal to the point of expected breakage of the coiled conductor and at a point along the lead body located distal to the point of expected breakage. The proximal and distal ends of the stranded conductor in some embodiments are also mechanically coupled to the coiled conductor.

Abstract: An implantable lead which has an increased resistance to fracture and has the capability of continued function after fracture of a conductor. The lead is provided with a coiled conductor which may be monofilar or multifilar and which extends along the length of the lead, running from an electrical connector at the proximal end of the lead to an electrode at or near the distal end of the lead. In addition, the lead is provided with a stranded conductor which is electrically coupled to the coiled conductor at point along the lead body located proximal to the point of expected breakage of the coiled conductor and at a point along the lead body located distal to the point of expected breakage. The proximal and distal ends of the stranded conductor in some embodiments are also mechanically coupled to the coiled conductor.

Abstract: An anchoring sleeve for retaining an electrical lead including a sleeve base and a locking member latchable to the sleeve base to lock the locking member to the sleeve base encircling the lead and engaging it around its full circumference. The locking member may be an arcuate member joined to said sleeve base by a hinge and pivotable to latch said locking member to the sleeve base. Alternatively the locking member may be a member formed separately from the sleeve base. The base may be provided with one or more C-shaped members to temporarily retain the lead prior to latching.

Abstract: A lead extraction device synchronized to the cardiac cycle which utilizes laser light to separate an implanted object, such as a pacemaker lead, from fibrous scar tissue and thereby permit the implanted object to be extracted from a body. The extraction device features a catheter having a central lumen dimensioned so a pacemaker lead will fit within. The catheter is thereby guided by the lead. The catheter has at least one optical fiber to emit laser light from the distal end and thereby separate the lead from fibrous scar tissue. A means for generating a control pulse in response to a sensed ECG signal permits the catheter to by synchronized to the cardiac cycle. In such a manner laser light may be controlled so as to avoid striking the heart at a vulnerable period in the cardiac cycle.