Abstract: A lead assembly adapted for endocardial fixation to a human heart is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body that has a proximal end provided with a connector for electrical connection to a cardiac stimulator. The cardiac stimulator may be a pacemaker, a cardioverter/defibrillator, or a sensing instrument. The distal end of the lead body is connected to a tubular electrode housing. The lead body consists of one or more noncoiled conductor cables surrounded by a coextensive insulating sleeve. Each conductor cable consists of a conducting element covered by a coextensive insulating sleeve. The conducting element may be a single filament wire or a plurality of individual conductor wires. In contrast to conventional leads, the lead body of the present invention does not require coiled conductor wires. Lead body diameters of 1.04 mm or smaller are possible.

Abstract: An implantable defibrillation lead with steerable characteristics, allowing the lead to be more easily placed within the coronary sinus. The lead comprises an elongated lead body having a proximal end and a distal end. Adjacent the distal end, there is an electrode, preferably a coiled defibrillation electrode placed on the exterior of the elongated lead body. The distal end of the lead body has a permanent set or bend. A torque tube, extending through a lumen in the lead body from the proximal end of the lead to an anchor block adjacent the distal end of the lead, can be rotated by a physician to orient the bend in the lead. A cable passes through the torque tube from the proximal end of the lead through the anchor block to the distal end of the lead. This cable is affixed to a wall of the lumen, preferably in the direction of the bend. Pulling on the cable temporarily changes the bend in the distal end of the lead.

Abstract: A lead assembly adapted for endocardial fixation to a human heart is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body that has a proximal end provided with a connector for electrical connection to a cardiac stimulator. The cardiac stimulator may be a pacemaker, a cardioverter/defibrillator, or a sensing instrument. The distal end of the lead body is connected to a tubular electrode housing. The lead body consists of one or more noncoiled conductor cables surrounded by a coextensive insulating sleeve. Each conductor cable consists of a conducting element covered by a coextensive insulating sleeve. The conducting element may be a single filament wire or a plurality of individual conductor wires. In contrast to conventional leads, the lead body of the present invention does not require coiled conductor wires. Lead body diameters of 1.04 mm or smaller are possible.

Abstract: A lead assembly adapted for endocardial fixation to a human heart is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body that has a proximal end provided with a connector for electrical connection to a cardiac stimulator. The cardiac stimulator may be a pacemaker, a cardioverter/defibrillator, or a sensing instrument. The distal end of the lead body is connected to a tubular electrode housing. The lead body consists of one or more noncoiled conductor cables surrounded by a coextensive insulating sleeve. Each conductor cable consists of a conducting element covered by a coextensive insulating sleeve. The conducting element may be a single filament wire or a plurality of individual conductor wires. In contrast to conventional leads, the lead body of the present invention does not require coiled conductor wires. Lead body diameters of 1.04 mm or smaller are possible.

Abstract: A lead assembly adapted for endocardial fixation to a human heart is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body that has a proximal end provided with a connector for electrical connection to a cardiac stimulator. The cardiac stimulator may be a pacemaker, a cardioverter/defibrillator, or a sensing instrument. The distal end of the lead body is connected to a tubular electrode housing. The lead body consists of one or more noncoiled conductor cables surrounded by a coextensive insulating sleeve. Each conductor cable consists of a conducting element covered by a coextensive insulating sleeve. The conducting element may be a single filament wire or a plurality of individual conductor wires. In contrast to conventional leads, the lead body of the present invention does not require coiled conductor wires. Lead body diameters of 1.04 mm or smaller are possible.

Abstract: An electrode for a cardiac lead and method of making the same are provided. The electrode includes an electrode member and a coating applied to the electrode member. The coating is composed of an electrically insulating material and covers a first portion of the exterior of the electrode member while leaving a preselected second portion thereof exposed. The second or exposed portion enhances the impedance of the electrode, resulting in power savings and extended life spans for implantable stimulation and sensing devices. Exemplary materials for the coating includes diamond-like carbon and sapphire.

Abstract: Various vascular filters are provided. In one aspect, a vascular filter is provided that includes a tubular sleeve and a core positioned in the sleeve that is axially deployable therefrom. A shape-memory wire is spiraled around the core and has a first portion unfurled from the core to define a hoop. The hoop is expandable from a retracted shape to a expanded shape when the core is deployed from the sleeve. A filter is provided that has a first end coupled to the core and a rim coupled to the hoop. The integration of the hoop with the shape-memory wire provides for excellent tip flexibility with enhanced resistance to structural failure.

Abstract: A cardiac lead includes a connector for coupling to a cardiac stimulator and a flexible insulating sleeve having a first end coupled to the connector. An inner crimp sleeve is coupled to the insulating sleeve and an outer crimp sleeve crimped around the inner crimp sleeve. A first conductor wire is provided that has at least a first loop and a second loop. A second conductor wire is provided that has a third loop. The first and second conductor wires are spiraled together so that the third loop is positioned between the first and second loops and is crimped between the inner crimp sleeve and the outer crimp sleeve. The arrangement eases the passage of a stylet past the union of two wires, reducing the potential for stylet buckling. An aperture is provided in the outer crimp sleeve.

Abstract: A cardiac stimulator lead is provided that includes a lead body that has a connector for coupling to a cardiac stimulator and a flexible insulating sleeve that has a first outer diameter. An electrode is coupled to the insulating sleeve. A conductor wire is coupled between the connector and the electrode. An annular seat is coupled to the lead body and is composed of a thermally-sensitive shape-memory polymeric material whereby the seal is deformable in situ from a temporary shape with a second outer diameter to a permanent shape with a third outer diameter that is greater than the second outer diameter. A shape-memory polymeric suture sleeve may be included that can tightly clamp the lead sleeve in situ.

Abstract: A cardiac lead is provided that is capable of deforming in situ to accommodate difficult myocardial structures. The lead includes a connector for coupling to a cardiac stimulator and a flexible tubular sleeve coupled to the connector. The sleeve is composed of a thermally-sensitive shape-memory polymeric material and is deformable in situ into a permanent shape. An electrode is coupled to the sleeve and a conductor wire is coupled to the connector and to the first electrode.

Abstract: Various endocardial lead assemblies are disclosed that may be particularly useful for placement within the coronary sinus. The lead assemblies may have open ends or closed ends. Lead assemblies having closed ends may be implanted using conventional implantation procedures. Lead assemblies have open ends may be implanted by first locating a stylet within the patient's body and, then, inserting the lead into the patient's body along the stylet. Each disclosed lead assembly uses one or more stents which expand to contact the inner surface of a body vessel once the lead has been properly positioned. Thus, the stents fix the lead at the desired location. Additionally, the stents may be used as electrodes for pacing and/or sensing.

Abstract: A cardiac lead is provided that includes a connector for connecting to a cardiac stimulator and a flexible sleeve coupled to the connector. The sleeve has a first segment, a second segment and a jacket coupling the first segment and the second segment. The jacket is composed of a shape-memory polymeric material which deforms diametrically in situ to selectively disconnect the first segment from the second segment. An electrode is coupled to the sleeve and a conductor is disposed in the sleeve and coupled to the connector and the electrode for conveying electrical signals. The breakaway function of the jacket allows removal of all but a small portion of the lead without dissection of fibrous tissue.

Abstract: A lead assembly adapted for endocardial fixation to a human heart is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body that has a proximal end provided with a connector for electrical connection to a cardiac stimulator. The cardiac stimulator may be a pacemaker, a cardioverter/defibrillator, or a sensing instrument. The distal end of the lead body is connected to a tubular electrode housing. The lead body consists of a noncoiled conductor cable surrounded by a coextensive insulating sleeve. In contrast to conventional leads, the lead body of the present invention does not require coiled conductor wires or an internal lumen. Manipulation of the lead body is via an external guide tube. Lead body diameters of 0.25 mm or smaller are possible.

Abstract: Various endocardial lead assemblies are disclosed that may be particularly useful for placement within the coronary sinus. One lead assembly includes an open-ended electrode that may be implanted in a patient by passing it along a previously implanted stylet. Another disclosed embodiment combines an open-ended electrode with one or more flow passages that improve blood flow through the body vessel in the area of the implanted electrode. Yet another disclosed embodiment uses an electrode that has flow passages but no opening. This electrode provides improved blood flow in the area of the electrode but may be implanted using conventional methods.

Abstract: A device for selectively providing precise incremental joint movement in a patient in either of two opposite directions with a tactile and audible feedback "click", includes first and second spaced disposable retractors for engaging respective parts of the patient adjacent the joint. One of the retractors is mounted on a fixed, inverted, U-shaped support member, and the other retractor is mounted on a movable actuating rod slidably mounted in the support member. The device is formed entirely of non-magnetic material and is readily operable by the patient, making the device especially useful in magnetic resonance imaging procedures. An operating mechanism for the actuating rod includes a pivoted operating handle having an integral drive pawl, and a retaining mechanism for the actuating rod includes a pair of resilient retaining or holding pawls pivoted on the support member adjacent opposite sides of the drive pawl.

Abstract: A biopsy device utilizes three components: a housing having an attached cannula, a drill bit/plunger component which is mounted in the housing so that the drill bit portion, having a cutting tip, extends through the cannula, the plunger snugly fitting within the housing, and a rotational energy element which couples with the drill bit/plunger component to enable the impartation of rotational motion to the cutting tip. Both drilling and aspirating action are utilized to retrieve a biopsy sample. In operation, the tissue to be sampled is punctured by a biopsy needle, the cannula of which is connected to the biopsy device. Thereafter, rotational energy is imparted to the drill bit/plunger component, causing tissue to be accumulated on the cutting tip. Once a sufficient amount of tissue has been accumulated, the rotational energy element and plunger/drill bit component are displaced in a proximal direction from the housing to cause the sample to be aspirated into the cannula syringe.

Abstract: A movable core guidewire assembly comprising a wire wound cylindrical casing having a distal closed end and a proximal open end, a resilient movable core wire extending inside the cylindrical casing between its proximal and distal ends, and a plastic safety cover coextensive with and surrounding the wire wound cylindrical casing. The plastic safety cover functions to retain fragments of a broken guidewire, replacing the interior safety wire used in prior art guidewire assemblies. Therefore, the movable core wire can utilize all the space inside the cylindrical casing to maximize the ability of medical personnel to manipulate the guidewire assembly inside the body. A specific procedure for forming a closed distal tip of the guidewire assembly from an initially open ended casing and safety cover is also disclosed.

Abstract: A core wire insertable in a catheter guide wire assembly provides a defined degree of rigidity to the catheter assembly to allow the assembly to be maneuvered through the tortuous path of the vascular or other system of a patient. The core wire includes, at its distal end, a paddle having a substantially barrel-shaped body, leading to a continuous chamfer which terminates in a truncated end. Further, the core wire can have a curved section adjacent its distal end. The curved section is made by press hardening the generally circular core wire into a substantially rectangular shape such that the press hardened wire memorizes the arc of curvature. When the core wire is press hardened into a rectangular shape, a singular degree of freedom of movement is imparted to the wire in contrast to the two degrees of freedom of movement of the cross-sectionally circular core wire. A method of manufacture is also described using concave/convex mating dies or flat plate dies.

Abstract: A device for providing precise incremental joint movement in a patient, includes first and second spaced retractors for engaging respective parts of the patient adjacent the joint. One of the retractors is mounted on a fixed support assembly and the other retractor is mounted on a movable actuation rod slidably mounted in the support assembly. The device is formed entirely on non-magnetic material and is readily operable by the patient, making the device especially useful in magnetic resonance imaging procedures. The retractors are of a construction such that they can be snapped onto the support assembly and the actuating rod, respectively, and then ruptured upon being removed therefrom, so as to prevent inadvertent use of the retractors on another patient.

Abstract: A catheter guidewire assembly having a moveable core wire and a safety wire. The safety wire has the cross section of a segment of a circle, such that its curved surface conforms to the inside surface of the guidewire casing.