Abstract: Medical electrical leads are provided including fixation features for acute and chronic fixation of a portion of the respective leads within the cardiac venous system. The medical electrical lead includes an elongate body having proximal and distal regions. Tissue contacting portions are selectively located in the distal region to contact an inner surface of the cardiac vessel when the lead is in an implanted position. The tissue contacting portion(s) include fixation features adapted to frictionally engage the inner surface of the cardiac vessel and promote tissue in-growth for chronic fixation. In some embodiments, the fixation features are detachable from the lead such that the lead can be extracted from its implanted position after tissue in-growth occurs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cardiac lead for delivery to the left side of a patient's heart including a self-expanding fixation method positioned over the distal portion of the lead. The self-expanding fixation member is capable of automatically expanding from a collapsed state to an expanded state upon deployment at a target site in a cardiac vessel. The fixation member is configured such that in the expanded state it is biased to a side of the lead body.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead includes a primary lumen, a hydraulic lumen, and a fixation portion including at least one expandable fixation member. The fixation member communicates with a plunger disposed in the hydraulic lumen, and is actuated from an expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration by the introduction and release of hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic lumen. The hydraulic actuation of the fixation member allows for the delivery, positioning, re-positioning, and/or retrieval of the lead.

Abstract: A guide catheter for accessing the coronary sinus ostium has a proximal portion and a distal portion formed into a preformed shape including a curved segment. The preformed shape includes a first arc, a second arc, a third arc, a fourth arc, and a generally straight terminal portion. The preformed shape is generally a J-shape, having a terminal portion generally parallel to the proximal portion, a generally closed arc or a generally open arc.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flowback tool for running a tubular string into a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough and a tubular mandrel. The mandrel: has a bore therethrough in communication with the housing bore, is longitudinally movable relative to the housing, is torsionally coupled to the housing, and has a threaded coupling for engaging a threaded coupling of the tubular string. The flowback tool further includes a nose: longitudinally coupled to the housing, operable to receive an end of the tubular string, and including a seal operable to engage a surface of the tubular string, thereby providing fluid communication between a bore of the tubular string and the mandrel bore. The flowback tool further includes an actuator operable to move the mandrel and the nose longitudinally relative to the housing for engaging and disengaging the tubular string.

Abstract: A guide catheter for accessing the coronary sinus ostium has a proximal portion and a distal portion formed into a preformed shape including a curved segment. The preformed shape includes a first arc, a second arc, a third arc, a fourth arc, and a generally straight terminal portion. The preformed shape is generally a J-shape, having a terminal portion generally parallel to the proximal portion, a generally closed arc or a generally open arc.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and an apparatus for selectively isolating a portion of a wellbore. In one aspect, an apparatus for isolating a zone in a wellbore is provided. The apparatus includes a body having a bore. The apparatus further includes a first flapper member and a second flapper member, each flapper member selectively rotatable between an open position and a closed position. Additionally, the apparatus includes a flapper latch assembly disposed in the bore, the flapper latch assembly movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein the flapper latch assembly is configured to hold the first flapper member in the closed position when the flapper latch assembly is in the locked position. In another aspect, a method for selectively isolating a zone in a wellbore is provided. In yet a further aspect, a flapper latch assembly for use with a flapper valve is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cardiac lead for delivery to the left side of a patient's heart including a self-expanding fixation method positioned over the distal portion of the lead. The self-expanding fixation member is capable of automatically expanding from a collapsed state to an expanded state upon deployment at a target site in a cardiac vessel. the fixation member is configured such that in the expanded state it is biased to a side of the lead body.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead includes a primary lumen, a hydraulic lumen, and a fixation portion including at least one expandable fixation member. The fixation member communicates with a plunger disposed in the hydraulic lumen, and is actuated from an expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration by the introduction and release of hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic lumen. The hydraulic actuation of the fixation member allows for the delivery, positioning, re-positioning, and/or retrieval of the lead.

Abstract: The present invention is a shaped catheter having an atraumatic tip portion which facilitates ease of navigation through the patient's vascular system. The catheter includes a shape-region formed at or near the distal end of the catheter. The shape is formed by placing the catheter over a shaping tool that includes a die, heating the catheter to its softening point for a desired period of time, and then cooling the catheter. A shrink tubing may also be placed over the catheter after it is placed on the shaping tool and before heating to assist in achieving the desired shape.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead configured for use in stimulating the left side of the heart (i.e., the left ventricle). In one embodiment, the lead includes an elongate lead body including an inner surface. An inflatable member is disposed on the outer surface of the body between its proximal and distal ends, the inflatable member being adapted when inflated to impart a radial force on and frictionally engage a surface of the coronary sinus or coronary vein for fixation of the distal end of the lead therein. The lead further includes a conductive member extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, and an inner insulating layer positioned between the conductive member and the inner surface of the body. Separation between the inner insulating layer and the inner surface of the body defines an inflation lumen in fluid communication with the inflatable member.

Abstract: A breakaway hemostasis hub for a catheter or introducer sheath includes a splittable or separable housing, a seal within the housing, an actuator partially slidably disposed within the housing, a pair of spring retainer members in the housing each adapted to receive at least one spring, and a pair of actuator retainer members adapted to retain the seal, the actuator, and the spring retainer members in the housing. The actuator is operable to assume a closed position and an open position and includes a dilator member configured to dilate the seal when the actuator is in the open position. The hub is splittable or separable into two generally symmetrical sub-assemblies to facilitate cutting the catheter for retraction from the patient's body without displacing its payload.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably engaging an implantable medical device during delivery includes an elongate, tubular body having an open distal end a plurality of deflectable jaw members extending distally from the distal end of the body and terminating in distal tip portions, and an actuating member slidably disposed within the body and including a distal end portion operable to prevent inward deflection of the jaw members when positioned proximate the distal tip portions. The jaw members are adapted to releasably engage an engagement feature of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: Medical electrical leads are provided including fixation features for acute and chronic fixation of a portion of the respective leads within the cardiac venous system. The medical electrical lead includes an elongate body having proximal and distal regions. Tissue contacting portions are selectively located in the distal region to contact an inner surface of the cardiac vessel when the lead is in an implanted position. The tissue contacting portion(s) include fixation features adapted to frictionally engage the inner surface of the cardiac vessel and promote tissue in-growth for chronic fixation. In some embodiments, the fixation features are detachable from the lead such that the lead can be extracted from its implanted position after tissue in-growth occurs.

Abstract: A cardiac lead adapted for fixation at least partially within a cardiac vessel. The lead includes, in one embodiment, an elongate lead body defining a proximal region and a distal region including a distal end region having at least one electrode and a distal tip. The distal end region is configured such that the electrode and the distal tip can be implanted in the cardiac vessel. Stiffening structures in the distal region of the lead are adapted to stiffen selected portions of the lead for fixation of the electrode within the cardiac vessel. In some embodiments, the stiffening structures include an implantable member adapted to be implanted in a lumen of the lead. In other embodiments, the stiffening structures include a sheath adapted to be deployed over the lead body. In still other embodiments, the stiffening structures are integral to the lead and/or the lead body.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead adapted to be at least partially implanted in a cardiac vessel includes a fixation feature operable to change from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration in which the fixation feature is adapted to engage an inner surface of the cardiac vessel. A tendon is disposed within a lumen of the lead and is operatively connected to the fixation feature and adapted to cause the fixation feature to change from the undeployed configuration to the deployed configuration for acute and/or chronic fixation of the lead. In one embodiment, the fixation feature includes a deflectable region of the lead which in the deployed configuration causes a surface of the lead body to engage the inner surface of the cardiac vessel. In another embodiment, the fixation feature includes a radially expandable structure for engaging the inner surface of the vessel in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead adapted to be at least partially implanted in a cardiac vessel includes a fixation feature operable to change from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration in which the fixation feature is adapted to engage an inner surface of the cardiac vessel. A tendon is disposed within a lumen of the lead and is operatively connected to the fixation feature and adapted to cause the fixation feature to change from the undeployed configuration to the deployed configuration for acute and/or chronic fixation of the lead. In one embodiment, the fixation feature includes a deflectable region of the lead which in the deployed configuration causes a surface of the lead body to engage the inner surface of the cardiac vessel. In another embodiment, the fixation feature includes a radially expandable structure for engaging the inner surface of the vessel in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A cardiac lead adapted for fixation at least partially within a cardiac vessel. The lead includes, in one embodiment, an elongate lead body defining a proximal region and a distal region including a distal end region having at least one electrode and a distal tip. The distal end region is configured such that the electrode and the distal tip can be implanted in the cardiac vessel. Stiffening structures in the distal region of the lead are adapted to stiffen selected portions of the lead for fixation of the electrode within the cardiac vessel. In some embodiments, the stiffening structures include an implantable member adapted to be implanted in a lumen of the lead. In other embodiments, the stiffening structures include a sheath adapted to be deployed over the lead body. In still other embodiments, the stiffening structures are integral to the lead and/or the lead body.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a tubular body portion having dimensions suitable for insertion into a human blood vessel as a guide catheter, the tubular body portion having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen therethrough, where the distal portion of the tubular body portion includes a first convex curved portion, a concave curved portion distal to the first convex curved portion, and a second convex curved portion distal to the concave curved portion.

Abstract: An elongated cutting accessory for performing endoscopic surgery. The accessory includes an inner tube to which a cutting member is attached and an outer tube that encases the inner tube. The outer tube may have first and second proximal and distal sections that are arranged end to end. The inner and outer diameters of the proximal section of the outer tube are greater than the corresponding diameters of the adjacent distal end section. An annular gap separates the outer surfaces of the inner tube with the inner surfaces of the outer tube. Irrigation fluid can be flowed through this gap. In some versions of the invention, two spaced apart hearing sleeves extend between the inner and outer tube. The distal of the two sleeves is formed with a channel through which the irrigation fluid can flow to a distal end opening in the outer tube.