Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for treating tachyarrhythmias, such as atrial or ventricular fibrillation, in which a number of electrodes are employed to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient's heart in a manner designed to terminate the tachyarrhythmia episode.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure pertain to methods and apparatus for providing positive fixation of medical components to a portion of incised pericardial tissue. Accordingly, a resilient member protrudes through an incision in the pericardium and produces a positive biasing force to adjacent pericardial tissue against a side surface of an attached body structure. The resilient member can optionally be compressed during implantation and then relaxed to thereafter provide the positive biasing force. Diverse medical components can thus be safely and reliably chronically deployed into the pericardial space, including without limitation, cardiac sensing/pacing, defibrillation and/or cardioversion electrodes, mechanical and/or metabolic sensors and the like. More than one body structure can be linked to a single medical electrical lead and the medical components can couple within and/or upon a portion of the body structure, the resilient member, and the lead in myriad configurations.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for treating tachyarrhythmias, such as atrial or ventricular fibrillation, in which a number of electrodes are employed to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient's heart in a manner designed to terminate the tachyarrhythmia episode.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for treating tachyarrhythmias, such as atrial or ventricular fibrillation, in which a number of electrodes are employed to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient's heart in a manner designed to terminate the tachyarrhythmia episode.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for treating tachyarrhythmias, such as atrial or ventricular fibrillation, in which a number of electrodes are employed to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient's heart in a manner designed to terminate the tachyarrhythmia episode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing positive fixation of medical components to a portion of pericardial tissue via both vacuum- and/or mechanically-assisted means. A source of vacuum couples via a lumen to a recessed portion of a body structure deployed into the pericardial space. The recessed portion is adapted to form a seal around its periphery with adjacent pericardial tissue so that when the recessed portion is evacuated, the tissue is drawn into the recessed portion. Then, a sharpened instrument, such as a stylet, is deployed through the lumen and pierces the tissue, thus anchoring the body structure. A source of fluid may also be included for delivery to the pericardial space (e.g., contrast media; saline solution; biological, genetic and pharmaceutical substances and the like).

Abstract: A method of making a temporary medical electrical lead for pacing or defibrillating a heart of a patient.

Abstract: A temporary cardiac electrical stimulating lead comprises a stimulating electrode mounted in or on a biodegradable electrode mounting pad disposed at a distal end of the lead. The electrode mounting pad is capable of biodegradably dissolving over time in human body fluids and is loaded with a drug for therapeutically treating a medical condition of a patient's heart. The electrode mounting pad may be loaded with any of a variety of different drugs, such anti-arrhythmia or anti-inflammatory drugs. When the lead body is pulled away from the electrode mounting pad and removed from the patient, any portion of the electrode mounting pad remaining within the patient dissolves over time and disappears.

Abstract: A temporary cardiac electrical stimulating lead is disclosed having a stimulating electrode mounted in or on a biodegradable electrode mounting pad disposed at a distal end of the lead. The electrode mounting pad is capable of biodegradably dissolving over time in human body fluids and is loaded with a drug for therapeutically treating a medical condition of a patient's heart. The electrode mounting pad may be loaded with any of a variety of different drugs, such anti-arrhythmia or anti-inflammatory drugs. When the lead body is pulled away from the electrode mounting pad and removed from the patient, any portion of the electrode mounting pad remaining within the patient dissolves over time and disappears.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing the potential for injury due to operation of a body-implantable device during explant manipulation thereof. In one embodiment of the invention, a body-implantable device is provided with a temperature sensor and associated monitor circuit which issues a deactivation signal when the sensed temperature falls below a predetermined threshold level. Provision is made for subsequent reactivation of the device if it is determined, for example, that sensor failure has led to spurious deactivation of the device.

Abstract: A lead for a body implantable electrical stimulation system including at least one electrical conductor and electrical insulation which together define a flexible lead body. A stiffening system, in the form of a member coiled about a portion of the lead body, is provided to enhance the ability of that lead body portion to maintain its orientation in the presence of external forces, including forces imparted to the lead by movement of the body as well as gravity. Preferably, the coiled member is a multifilar member and, in a preferred embodiment, is a close wound trifilar member. The desired lead body orientation may be a straight or curved configuration and, in the latter instance, the lead body may be provided with a lumen such that the curve is extended or straightened on insertion of a stylet of sufficient stiffness.

Abstract: Passive sensing reference electrode positioned on an implantable pulse generator where the electrode electrically contacts with tissue or body fluid. The electrode configuration reduces stimulation afterpotentials due to electrode polarization and output capacitor recharge by using the passive sensing reference electrode for sensing. The passive sensing reference electrode may be located adjacent the conductor sleeve, on a surface of a hermetically sealed metallic pacemaker can, or one of the surfaces of the pacemaker can may be insulated from another surface of the pacemaker can where one half of the pacemaker can may be the passive sensing reference electrode.