Abstract: An active fixation lead may have a lead body formed at least in part from an inner member and an outer sheath. The inner member may include a pace/sense lumen and one or more cable lumens. The inner member may include one or more longitudinally extending crumple zones that are configured to reduce stress within the pace/sense lumen that could otherwise be caused by compressive forces applied to the lead.

Abstract: One example includes an implantable lead including an elongate lead body which includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. In the example, the lead includes a coupler configured to couple to an implantable medical device. The lead includes a first conductor, coupled to the coupler, and extending away from the coupler at least partially through the lead. The lead includes a first electrode, located on the lead away from the coupler and a first switch, located on the lead away from the coupler, the first switch configured to control conductivity between the conductor and the electrode. The lead also includes a first controller circuit, coupled to the conductor and including a first multiplexer circuit configured to multiplex over the conductor a first signal and a second signal, the first controller circuit configured to control the first switch based at least on the first signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a lead comprising a cable conductor and a coil electrode having one or more filars, the one or more filars wound in a helical pattern. The lead can further include an inner fitting axially aligned with the coil electrode. The inner fitting can comprise external threading and a slot extending along the inner fitting. The slot can receive a portion of the cable conductor. The lead can include an outer tubular fitting having a lumen with internal threading. Each of the coil electrode and the inner fitting can be partially received within the lumen, both of the external threading and the one or more filars threadedly engaged with the internal threading. The cable conductor can be pinched in the slot to mechanically connect the cable conductor to the inner fitting. The pinching can be supported by the outer tubular fitting.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern an implantable lead having a coil electrode, configured to deliver defibrillation therapy, made from filars wound in a helical pattern to have a pitch. An end of the coil electrode can be received within a lumen of a tubular fitting, the lumen having threading that corresponds to the pitch of the filars. A wall of a polymer sleeve extending over the coil electrode can be pinched between the threading of the lumen and the filars to mechanically couple the polymer sleeve to the tubular fitting. The polymer sleeve can be porous to permit delivery of the defibrillation through the wall to tissue. Reception of the polymer sleeve within the lumen of the tubular fitting can allow the entire coil electrode to be within the polymer sleeve to prevent direct contact between tissue and the coil electrode.

Abstract: An active fixation lead may have a lead body formed at least in part from an inner member and an outer sheath. The inner member may include a pace/sense lumen and one or more cable lumens. The inner member may include one or more longitudinally extending crumple zones that are configured to reduce stress within the pace/sense lumen that could otherwise be caused by compressive forces applied to the lead.

Abstract: A method of forming an implantable medical device includes forming a porous layer of a first material on a substrate, extruding or molding a second material over the porous layer and removing the substrate after extruding or molding the second material to form an implantable medical device.

Abstract: A medical device lead includes a proximal connector configured to couple the lead to a pulse generator and an insulative lead body extending distally from the proximal connector. The lead also includes an inner conductor and one or more cable conductors coupled to the proximal connector at a proximal end and extending through the lead body. The lead further includes one or more defibrillation coil electrodes coupled to a distal end of the one or more cable conductors. The one or more defibrillation coil electrodes are disposed around and electrically isolated from the inner conductor. The one or more defibrillation coil electrodes have a first winding direction and the inner conductor has a second winding direction opposite the first winding direction.

Abstract: Described is a medical device lead including a lead body having a conductor lumen including an inner surface. The lead also includes a conductor assembly extending through the conductor lumen; the conductor assembly comprising a conductor member and an outer insulative layer; and an electrode coupled to the conductor cable. The outer insulative layer includes a textured external surface that reduces the coefficient of friction between the outer insulative layer and the inner surface of the conductor lumen through which the conductor assembly extends. Methods of forming the conductor assembly are also described.

Abstract: An active fixation lead may have a lead body formed at least in part from an inner member and an outer sheath. The inner member may include a pace/sense lumen and one or more cable lumens. The inner member may include one or more longitudinally extending crumple zones that are configured to reduce stress within the pace/sense lumen that could otherwise be caused by compressive forces applied to the lead.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system comprises a medical electrical lead, a pressure sensing element, and an implantable pulse generator. The lead is sized to be advanced through the right atrium and coronary sinus into a coronary vein adjacent to the left ventricle. The lead includes an opening intermediate its proximal and distal ends, and a lumen extending longitudinally within the body in communication with the opening. The pressure sensing element is movably disposed in lead lumen and is dimensioned to extend through the opening in the lead, and includes a flexible, elongated conductive member having a distal end, and a pressure transducer coupled to the distal end of the conductive member. The pulse generator is configured to receive cardiac rhythm signals from the electrode and fluid pressure signals from the pressure transducer.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead may include an insulative lead body, a conductor disposed within the insulative lead body, an electrode disposed on the insulative lead body and in electrical contact with the conductor and a fibrous matrix disposed at least partially over the electrode. The fibrous matrix may be formed from a polyisobutylene urethane, urea or urethane/urea copolymer.

Abstract: A medical device lead includes a proximal connector configured to couple the lead to a pulse generator and an insulative lead body extending distally from the proximal connector. The lead also includes an inner conductor and one or more cable conductors coupled to the proximal connector at a proximal end and extending through the lead body. The lead further includes one or more defibrillation coil electrodes coupled to a distal end of the one or more cable conductors. The one or more defibrillation coil electrodes are disposed around and electrically isolated from the inner conductor. The one or more defibrillation coil electrodes have a first winding direction and the inner conductor has a second winding direction opposite the first winding direction.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system comprises a medical electrical lead, a pressure sensing element, and an implantable pulse generator. The lead is sized to be advanced through the right atrium and coronary sinus into a coronary vein adjacent to the left ventricle. The lead includes an opening intermediate its proximal and distal ends, and a lumen extending longitudinally within the body in communication with the opening. The pressure sensing element is movably disposed in lead lumen and is dimensioned to extend through the opening in the lead, and includes a flexible, elongated conductive member having a distal end, and a pressure transducer coupled to the distal end of the conductive member. The pulse generator is configured to receive cardiac rhythm signals from the electrode and fluid pressure signals from the pressure transducer.

Abstract: One example includes an implantable lead with an elongate lead body including a proximal portion and a distal portion. The lead includes a coupler configured to be coupled to an implantable medical device, a conductor, extending through the coupler, a first electrode, and a first electrostimulation capacitor located at the distal portion of the lead body, the first electrostimulation capacitor including a capacitance value that is large enough to store an electrostimulation charge of an electrostimulation energy that is large enough to perform electrostimulation of tissue. The lead includes a first switch located at the distal portion of the lead body and coupled to the conductor, the first switch configured to selectively couple the first electrostimulation capacitor to the first electrode during a stimulating state and to selectively couple the first electrostimulation capacitor to the conductor during a charging state.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system comprises a medical electrical lead, a pressure sensing element, and an implantable pulse generator. The lead is sized to be advanced through the right atrium and coronary sinus into a coronary vein adjacent to the left ventricle. The lead includes an opening intermediate its proximal and distal ends, and a lumen extending longitudinally within the body in communication with the opening. The pressure sensing element is movably disposed in lead lumen and is dimensioned to extend through the opening in the lead, and includes a flexible, elongated conductive member having a distal end, and a pressure transducer coupled to the distal end of the conductive member. The pulse generator is configured to receive cardiac rhythm signals from the electrode and fluid pressure signals from the pressure transducer.

Abstract: An implantable medical system for anchoring a medical lead implanted in a patient includes a medical lead, an anchoring device received coaxially over the medical lead, and at least one fastener secured circumferentially about the anchoring device to cause compression of the anchoring device on the medical lead. The anchoring device includes an elastomeric sleeve having a substantially elongate, hollow, and tubular body and a compression governor coaxially secured about the elastomeric sleeve. The compression governor is adapted to limit compressive forces exerted on the lead by the anchoring device at a predetermined limit and provides a visual indicator that the predetermined limit has been reached.

Abstract: An implanted medical system includes a medical lead, an anchoring device and at least one suture secured circumferentially about the anchoring device to cause compression of the anchoring device on the medical lead. In particular, the anchoring device is received coaxially over the medical lead and includes an elastomeric sleeve and a compression governor. The elastomeric sleeve has a substantially elongate, hollow, and tubular body. The compression governor is substantially more rigid than the elastomeric sleeve and is coaxially secured to the elastomeric sleeve. The compression governor defines an inner bore having an effective diameter and is adapted to limit compression at a pre-selected minimum effective diameter to limit compressive forces exerted on the lead by the anchoring device.

Abstract: An active fixation lead may have a lead body formed at least in part from an inner member and an outer sheath. The inner member may include a pace/sense lumen and one or more cable lumens. The inner member may include one or more longitudinally extending crumple zones that are configured to reduce stress within the pace/sense lumen that could otherwise be caused by compressive forces applied to the lead.

Abstract: Implantable electrical leads including an axial reinforcement member are disclosed. In some embodiments, an implantable electrical lead can have a body, one or more electrodes, a cable conductor, a conductor coil, and a reinforcement member. A cable conductor can be disposed within the body and is configured to convey electrical signals between the proximal region and the distal region of the lead. The reinforcement member may be coupled to or integrally formed within the lead body and is configured to limit elongation of the lead body in response to a tensile force.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system comprises a medical electrical lead, a pressure sensing element, and an implantable pulse generator. The lead is sized to be advanced through the right atrium and coronary sinus into a coronary vein adjacent to the left ventricle. The lead includes an opening intermediate its proximal and distal ends, and a lumen extending longitudinally within the body in communication with the opening. The pressure sensing element is movably disposed in lead lumen and is dimensioned to extend through the opening in the lead, and includes a flexible, elongated conductive member having a distal end, and a pressure transducer coupled to the distal end of the conductive member. The pulse generator is configured to receive cardiac rhythm signals from the electrode and fluid pressure signals from the pressure transducer.