Abstract: Epicardial pacing lead for affixation to epicardial heart tissue either onto the forward facing portion of the heart or behind the heart during thoracic surgery. A stylet controls a helical fixation screw in an electrode head of the pacing lead in that the stylet is turned thereby advancing the helical fixation screw beyond the planar surface of the electrode head. The epicardial pacing lead includes two embodiments which can be used in the unipolar mode of operation and one embodiment which can be used in the bipolar or unipolar mode of operation. The epicardial pacing lead requires no special tools and can be applied to the epicardial tissue with the use of surgical forceps or clamps. The pacing lead can be connected to a pulse generator located adjacent to the epicardial tissue under the skin and can be used for atrial or ventricular pacing.

Abstract: Ring electrode for a bipolar pacing lead where the ring electrode is secured to an outer coiled conductor by swaging the outer coiled conductor between the ring electrode and a swaging core where the distal end of the outer coiled conductor positions over the swaging core and into the ring electrode. The outer coiled conductor is mechanically swaged between the ring electrode and the swaging core resulting in a mechanical and electrical joint. Insulation extends over the outer ends of the ring electrode and yields a bond to the ring electrode having substantially the same outer diameter as the ring electrode.

Abstract: Ring electrode for a pacing lead where the ring electrode is secured to a conductor coil by soft metal disposed in a slit in insulation over the conductor coil. A slit or hole is punched into the insulation before or after the insulation is pulled over the coiled conductor, silver ball or wire or other like soft metal is placed in the slit or hole, a ring is slid over the insulation and centered over the soft metal, and the ring is swaged to the same diameter as the insulation utilizing an internal mandrel in the conductor coil so that the soft metal is pressed between the ring electrode and the coiled conductor resulting in a mechanically crimped joint. The ring electrode provides flexibility within the lead and the insulation extending through the ring electrode. Tensile strength at the ring electrode is substantially equal to that of the insulation. The ring electrode is swaged to the same diameter as the lead body resulting in a smooth surface and providing for easy lead passage.

Abstract: The sutureless myocardial lead introducer herein disclosed includes a handle having at the distal end thereof means for releasably holding a body tissue electrode for screwing into body tissue and is provided with a longitudinal slot extending toward the center of the handle and extending from adjacent the distal end thereof to the proximal end thereof to receive an insulated electric lead from the electrode. A hollow tube slides over the handle and holds the electric lead in place in the groove. A tunneling rod is slidably mounted within the handle and is provided with a fin which engages a locking slot at the proximal end of the handle. The fin may be disposed from a first position, wherein the fin is disposed in the locking slot, to a second position, wherein the tunneling rod engages the electrode to push the electrode clear of the handle, when the electrode has been screwed into the body tissue and when the tube has been removed from the handle releasing the electric lead from the slot in the handle.

Abstract: The lead anchoring bobbin for containing a transvenous pacing lead at an entry site in human tissue and including a grooved bobbin and buttons which frictionally engage and detain the lead on either side of the bobbin. The lead anchoring bobbin is made of medical silicone rubber or like material.

Abstract: Terminal pin which engages into a wire coil of a transvenous pacing lead and mechanically attaches to the wire coil with a metal crimping sleeve which engages over the wire coil. The terminal pin includes a tapered distal end portion from an outward radial shoulder in a midportion of the terminal pin to the distal end of the terminal pin. A stylet easily passes through a longitudinal hole extending through the terminal pin and into the wire coil of the transvenous pacing lead.

Abstract: Stylet including a stylet knob, a stylet wire, and a swaged stylet wire retaining sleeve over the stylet wire which engages within the stylet knob providing for controlled length and straightness of the stylet wire and mating within the long thin walled stylet knob.

Abstract: An assembly of a primary and an auxiliary tool employed in implanting an electrical lead and its electrode in body tissue, the primary tool or device having a groove associated therewith for holding the electrode and the lead's conductor during implantation in a manner to avoid imparting torque to the lead and undue pressure upon the body tissue during release of the lead from the primary tool. The primary tool includes a leading end with a cavity for receiving a boot for the lead's helical electrode, the groove extending longitudinally for receiving the insulated conductor, and a longitudinally extending bore which communicates the groove for receiving the auxiliary tool. The auxiliary tool includes a body portion disposable within the bore, at least one fin extending radially from its body portion and disposable within the groove, and a terminal portion moveable into the cavity.

Abstract: A cardiac pacer lead is disclosed as being formable at the time of pacer implantation by the attending surgeon, by heating the pacer lead, as in boiling water, and then forming or shaping it to the desired configuration so that a pacer electrode is maintained resiliently in contact with the inner surface of the patient's heart, e.g. his atrium. The pacer lead comprises at least one flexible conductor about which is disposed a first insulating layer of a repeatably thermally-activated material to permit its formation into a desired configuration, and a second insulating layer disposed thereabout of a character suitable for implantation within the patient's body, i.e., resistant to corrosion by body fluids. Further, there is disclosed the method of assembling and attaching the cardiac pacer lead to a body organ, e.g., the patient's heart.