Abstract: A loading device for loading a guide wire within a medical electrical lead that includes a navigation portion, having an outer portion, and extending from a front end to a back end, and having an opening formed at the back end. An engagement cavity receives and properly orientates the lead distal tip to align the lumen of the lead with the opening of the navigation portion during the loading of the guide wire within the lead. A first side wall is spaced from a second side wall to form a slot extending along the outer portion from the front end to the back end of the navigation portion, and the guide wire is advanced through the slot as the lead having the guide wire loaded therein is removed from the loading device.

Abstract: An improved connection system for coupling a device such as a pacemaker, cardioverter, defibrillator, nerve stimulator, muscle stimulator, implantable monitor or other medical device to a medical lead is disclosed. The connection system includes a coupling member designed to couple to the proximal end of the lead. This coupling member, which includes an inner lumen sized to form a press fit around the proximal end of the lead body, may be of a generally tubular construction. This coupling member includes connector means to enable a connector pin at the proximal end of the lead to mechanically and electrically couple to a device. The connector means may further include means for coupling both mechanically and electrically to a ring connector on the proximal end of a multi-polar lead. An insertion member may also be provided to allow the lead to be more easily inserted within the inner lumen of the coupling member.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead is disclosed having an inner lumen adapted to receive a stiffening member, and which is further adapted to deliver fluoro-visible media while the stiffening member is located within the inner lumen. According to one aspect of the invention, the stiffening member is a guide wire having an inner lumen. The inner lumen of the guide wire is used to deliver the contrast medium while the guide wire is in place within the lumen of the lead. In another embodiment, a stiffening member that is sized to occupy only a portion of the lumen of the lead is utilized. The non-occupied portion of the lumen is sized to be large enough to allow for the passage of fluoro-visible medium from an injection port at the proximal end of the lead to a delivery port at the distal end of the lead. According to one aspect of the invention, the lead includes a sealable member located at the distal end of the lumen of the lead to prevent the ingress of bodily fluids within this lead lumen.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead having an elongated insulative sheath carrying an elongated electrical conductor therein and having a drug-dispensing electrode assembly coupled to a distal end of the elongated conductor. The electrode assembly takes the form of a conductive electrode member having a distal electrode portion exposed exterior to the elongated sheath and a shank portion extending proximally from the distal portion and coupled to the elongated conductor. A drug release device is mounted around the shank proximal to the distal portion of the electrode member and the electrode member is provided with at least one bore extending from a surface of the release device to a surface of the distal portion of the electrode member.

Abstract: A guidewire placed lead employing a seal at its distal end in order to prevent entry of body fluid into the lead. The seal is particularly designed to allow radial expansion of the outer circumference of the seal due to passage of the guidewire through the seal, reducing the force required to pass the guidewire through the seal, while retaining a good sealing characteristics. The seal may extend a distance distally from the tip electrode, and include a hollow, resilient, cup-shaped seal member, configured so that the seal can readily expand radially as the guidewire passes through it. Alternatively, the seal may be located within the body of the electrode and the electrode configured so that it may be radially or laterally expanded, also allowing radial expansion of the seal during passage of the guidewire. In this case, the electrode may be rendered expandable by means of one or more slits arranged along the electrode body, extending from a point proximal to the guidewire seal.