Abstract: Electrical cardiac therapy devices including electrode lead assemblies having appendages coupled to an electrode. The appendage may take the form of a riser and a head having various characteristics. A further embodiment may include a cover and/or other features coupling the electrode to the riser. A lead may be provided for electrical coupling to the electrode. The lead may couple to the electrode exclusive of the riser and head. An implantable housing containing electrical circuitry for using the electrode to stimulate cardiac activity is also illustrated.

Abstract: Electrical cardiac therapy devices including electrode lead assemblies having first and second insertion tool receivers. The insertion tool receivers may be attached to an electrode and/or an electrode cover assembly. A lead assembly having first and second insertion tool receivers may be used in conjunction with an insertion tool having means, such as tines, for coupling with the insertion tool receivers. A lead assembly system may include both an insertion tool and a lead assembly. A treatment system further includes an implantable housing along with the lead assembly and insertion tool.

Abstract: Electrical cardiac therapy devices including electrode assemblies having openings for receiving an electrode insertion tool, and methods of inserting such electrode assemblies. The opening(s) are defined on the electrode assemblies to allow an insertion tool to be coupled to the electrode assembly and then used to push the electrode assembly into place.

Abstract: Electrical cardiac therapy devices including lead electrode assemblies for implantation into a patient comprising an electrode having a first face and a second face, and an appendage extending opposite the second face of the electrode, the appendage including an eyelet for securing an insertion device thereto. The assembly may further include an electrode frame assembly to which the appendage may be attached. Alternatively, the appendage may be formed as part of a molded electrode frame assembly. A backing piece may be provided between the electrode frame assembly and the electrode. The frame assembly may cover a portion of a front side of the electrode. Further embodiments include an electrode lead assembly including an appendage with an eyelet and an electrode insertion tool adapted to engage the eyelet.

Abstract: A subcutaneous cardiac device includes two electrodes and a stimulator that generates a pulse to the electrodes. The electrodes are implanted between the skin and the rib cage of the patient and are adapted to generate an electric field corresponding to the pulse, the electric field having a substantially uniform voltage gradient as it passes through the heart. The shapes, sizes, positions and structures of the electrodes are selected to optimize the voltage gradient of the electric field, and to minimize the energy dissipated by the electric field outside the heart. More specifically, the electrodes have contact surfaces that contact the patient tissues, said contact surfaces having a total contact area of less than 100 cm2. In one embodiment, one or both electrodes are physically separated from the stimulator. In another embodiment a unitary housing holds the both electrodes and the stimulator.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning between the third rib and the twelfth rib within a patient, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator including a housing, wherein at least a portion of the housing is curved; an electrical circuit; and an electrically conductive surface located on a portion of the housing, wherein the electrically conductive surface is coupled to the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A lead assembly is implanted utilizing a lead introducer inserted within an opening of the lead housing. The lead introducer includes an insertion portion and a handle connected to the insertion portion. The lead assembly can be extracted with a lead extractor inserted within an opening of the lead housing. The lead extractor includes an insertion portion having an expandable element, a flexible biocompatible covering around the expandable element, and a handle connected to the insertion portion.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an implantable cardioverter defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning between the third rib and the twelfth rib within a patient, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator including a housing; an electrical circuit located within the housing; a first electrode coupled to the electrical circuit and located on the housing; and a second electrode coupled to the electrical circuit.

Abstract: An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning between the third rib and twelfth rib within a patient includes a duck-bill shaped housing. The housing includes a proximal end and distal end, where the width of the proximal end is less than the width of the distal end, and an electrode located on the housing.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a lead electrode assembly for use with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator subcutaneously implanted outside the ribcage between the third and twelfth ribs comprising the electrode.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an implantable cardioverter defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning between the third rib and the twelfth rib within a patient, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator including a housing; an electrical circuit located within the housing; a first electrode coupled to the electrical circuit and located on the housing; and a second electrode coupled to the electrical circuit.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning over a patient's ribcage, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator includes a housing having a first end and a second end; a first electrode disposed upon the first end of the housing; a second electrode disposed upon the second end of the housing; an electrical circuit located within the housing, wherein the electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode; and a lead electrode electrically coupled to the electrical circuit located within the housing.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an implantable cardioverter defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning between the third rib and the twelfth rib within a patient, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator including a housing; having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface comprises an electrically insulated material and the second surface comprises an electrically conductive material; and an electrical circuit located within the housing, wherein the electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the second surface of the housing.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a lead electrode assembly for subcutaneous implantation including an electrode; a riser coupled to the electrode; and a head coupled to the riser.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of inserting an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator within a patient, the method including the steps of providing a cardioverter-defibrillator canister having at least a portion of the cardioverter-defibrillator canister being non planar to maintain the cardioverter-defibrillator canister in a predetermined relationship with respect to a patient's heart, subcutaneously over a patient's ribcage; making a single incision into the patient; and advancing the cardioverter-defibrillator canister through the single incision and subcutaneously over the patient's ribcage.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning between the third rib and the twelfth rib within a patient, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator including a housing, wherein at least a portion of the housing is curved; an electrical circuit; and an electrically conductive surface located on a portion of the housing, wherein the electrically conductive surface is coupled to the electrical circuit.

Abstract: Electrical cardiac therapy devices including electrode assemblies having openings for receiving an electrode insertion tool, and methods of inserting such electrode assemblies. The opening(s) are defined on the electrode assemblies to allow an insertion tool to be coupled to the electrode assembly and then used to push the electrode assembly into place.

Abstract: Electrical cardiac therapy devices including lead electrode assemblies for implantation into a patient comprising an electrode having a first face and a second face, and an appendage extending opposite the second face of the electrode, the appendage including an eyelet for securing an insertion device thereto. The assembly may further include an electrode frame assembly to which the appendage may be attached. Alternatively, the appendage may be formed as part of a molded electrode frame assembly. A backing piece may be provided between the electrode frame assembly and the electrode. The frame assembly may cover a portion of a front side of the electrode. Further embodiments include an electrode lead assembly including an appendage with an eyelet and an electrode insertion tool adapted to engage the eyelet.

Abstract: Electrical cardiac therapy devices including electrode lead assemblies having appendages coupled to an electrode. The appendage may take the form of a riser and a head having various characteristics. A further embodiment may include a cover and/or other features coupling the electrode to the riser. A lead may be provided for electrical coupling to the electrode. The lead may couple to the electrode exclusive of the riser and head. An implantable housing containing electrical circuitry for using the electrode to stimulate cardiac activity is also illustrated.

Abstract: Electrical cardiac therapy devices including electrode lead assemblies having first and second insertion tool receivers. The insertion tool receivers may be attached to an electrode and/or an electrode cover assembly. A lead assembly having first and second insertion tool receivers may be used in conjunction with an insertion tool having means, such as tines, for coupling with the insertion tool receivers. A lead assembly system may include both an insertion tool and a lead assembly. A treatment system further includes an implantable housing along with the lead assembly and insertion tool.