Abstract: A set for installing an intracardiac lead equipped with a screw in a wall of the endocardium, particularly a stimulation or defibrillation lead. This set comprises a removable stylet (50), able to be introduced inside the sheath (12) of the lead-body and mobile in translation and rotation therein. The stylet has at its distal extremity a mechanism (56) for coupling in rotation to allow the rotation (28) of the lead-head (10). The stylet (50) includes: a central core (52, 71) carrying at its distal extremity the aforementioned coupling mechanism, and at its proximal extremity a handling body (32) for handling by the physician and a hollow tube (54) axially placed around the core.

Abstract: A probe including at its distal extremity a tubular flexible sheath core supporting at least a winding forming a shock electrode and connected to a electrical conductor of connection extending in a internal lumen of the sheath core. In a way characteristic of the invention, the sheath core extends axially without a solution of continuity in the area supporting the winding. In particular, the sheath core comprises cavities to receive and hold conducting inserts, of homologous size with cavities formed locally close to the ends of the winding, the insert being connected to the interior side to the electrical conductor, and on the external side to the corresponding extremity of winding. A longitudinal slit connects the two cavities and allows, by elastic deformation of the sheath core, the introduction into the cavities and in the internal lumen of the unit formed by the final extremity of the electrical conductor beforehand equipped with its two inserts.

Abstract: A kit for penetrating the cardiac septum and for the placement of a trans-septal device, in particular of a stimulation probe, in a left heart cavity. This kit includes a penetration guide (16), a handling stylet, a piercing stylet (38) and a guiding stylet (56). The penetration guide (16) comprises a probe body with a flexible hollow sheath (22) successively receiving these stylets, and a probe-head (18, 24) having an extendable helicoid screw (20) for anchoring to the wall of the septum (10). The piercing stylet (38) presents a sharp distal extremity (44) emerging from the frontal face, through the anchor (20), over a distance at least equal to the local thickness of the septum (10), so as to traverse through the septum. A guiding stylet will be then introduced into the sheath to form, after withdrawal of the penetration guide (16), an axial guide traversing the septum, for the introduction therethrough of a trans-septal device.

Abstract: A coronary probe for stimulation of the heart having a sophisticated retention structure. The probe is intended to be implanted in a vein of the coronary network for the stimulation of a left cavity of the heart by an active implantable medical device. It includes a flexible hollow sheath (10) including an internal conductor, an intermediate element (12) with a cylindrical body (24) bearing retention structure, and an end forming a probe-head (14) that is equipped with at least one stimulation electrode (20). The retention structure includes at least one relief (28) formed on the cylindrical body (24) and presenting, as seen from the end, an overall circular contour so as to have locally an increased diameter compared to the diameter of the cylindrical body. This contour is eccentric compared to the axis (D) of cylindrical body.

Abstract: A method and kit for the installation of a probe, implantable in the coronary sinus network for stimulation of a cardiac cavity. The kit includes: a) a guiding catheter (14), having an internal lumen open at its two extremities and able to receive the probe (10) along its length; and b) an extension (22) comprising at its distal extremity a connector (24) engaging a monodiameter connector (20) at the proximal extremity of the probe (10). The external diameter of the connector (24) is the external diameter of the remainder of the extension (22). The external surface of the extension (22) is a surface having a low coefficient of friction as compared to the interior surface of the lumen of the guiding-catheter (14), and the external diameter is smaller than the interior diameter of the lumen of the guiding-catheter, so as to allow the guiding catheter to slide over and along the entire length of the extension, without a concomitant axial displacement of the probe.

Abstract: A set for installing an intracardiac lead equipped with a screw in a wall of the endocardium, particularly a stimulation or defibrillation lead. This set comprises a removable stylet (50), able to be introduced inside the sheath (12) of the lead-body and mobile in translation and rotation therein. The stylet has at its distal extremity a mechanism (56) for coupling in rotation to allow the rotation (28) of the lead-head (10). The stylet (50) includes: a central core (52, 71) carrying at its distal extremity the aforementioned coupling mechanism, and at its proximal extremity a handling body (32) for handling by the physician and a hollow tube (54) axially placed around the core.

Abstract: A connector system for an active implantable medical device including a generator and a connector head (10) equipped with a plurality of parallel axial cavities (12) receiving respective probe connectors (14), and a reversible means for mechanical tightening of each probe connector in its cavity. The tightening can be obtained by retractable elements (32) actuated simultaneously by a common element (36, 38, 40) movable between two positions, one locked and the other unlocked. The retractable elements project radially inside each respective cavity when the common element is in a locked position to exert a radial contact pressure on each probe connector insert therein, preferably on electrically insulating areas (20, 22) of the probe connectors. The retractable elements (32) are preferably carried by a common barrel (28) movable in rotation around a central axis of the connector head.

Abstract: A probe for the stimulation of the left atrium that is implantable in the coronary venous network for use with an active implantable medial device, in particular a pulse generator of “multisite” type. The probe is a tripolar probe including a cylindrical body provided, in an electrode area located axially and remotely of its distal end, with a stimulation electrode (18) electrically connected to a first probe conductor (24), and two annular reference electrodes (20, 22), one distal (20) and one proximal (22) of the stimulation electrode, electrically connected together and to a second probe conductor (26). The stimulation electrode is axially disposed between the two reference electrodes and is an annular or a sectoral electrode. The probe comprises an electric connection body connecting the two reference electrodes (20, 22) to an internal conductor segment (36, 38) disposed in the area of the stimulation electrode but electrically isolated therefrom.

Abstract: A probe for the stimulation of the left heart which is implantable in the coronary venus system. The probe is particularly useful for an active implantable medical device, in particular, pacemakers of the “multisite” type. The probe has a body, including a hollow sheath which elastically deformable and primarily deprived of any rigid element. The probe body has a distal extremity (34) which supports at least one stimulation electrode (54), and a stylet which is removable, and is able to be introduced inside the probe body and moveable in translation and rotation inside the probe body. The stylet is relatively rigid compared to the sheath and plastically deformable locally. The distal extremity (34) of the probe has, in the absence of stress, two curves, comprised in two distinct surfaces. The first surface (62) corresponds to an orientation curve laid down by a preform of the probe body.

Abstract: A lead for an implanted medical device, particularly for a cardiac pacemaker, which has at its extremity distal a hollow cylindrical body (10) presenting at its distal side an opening (22) receiving a stimulation electrode (16) which is mounted axially in this opening, the body and electrode being mechanically fixed and set together by gluing the wall of the body to the wall of the electrode. The internal wall of the body is conformed in a manner to provide between the electrode and body, when the electrode is mounted in the body, a peripheral space defining a chamber (30, 34) between the opposing walls (50, 52) of the body and the electrode. This chamber is a glue expansion chamber essentially closed as compared to the exterior except for an injection canal (32) and an escape canal (36).

Abstract: A probe for an implanted medical device, more particularly for a cardiac pacemaker. The probe (10) has at its extremity a cylindrical body (14) supporting one or more electrodes (18) and a means of anchorage (34) extending radially around the exterior. A deformable sleeve (24), made of a supple material, covers the cylindrical body and supports the anchorage means. The sleeve has one end (or part) (26) attached to the body at the distal extremity of the probe, and one part (28) that is free or unconnected to the body spreading proximally in relation to the attached part and supporting the anchorage means. The free part is essentially applied in a separable manner against the body on the aforementioned distal region.

Abstract: Process and kit for passivating in situ a tip of a probe for an active implantable medical device, particularly for a cardiac pacemaker probe. The probe (10) is of the type comprising a hollow insulating sheath (12) made of a supple material having an internal conductor (14) terminated at its distal extremity by an electrode (16), an axial canal (18) along its length, and a support element (22) at its distal extremity in the neighborhood of the electrode, particularly a metallic filament or blade for shaping or reinforcing the distal extremity (20) of the probe. The support element is of a rigidity that is greater than the combination of the sheath and the internal conductor.

Abstract: A connector (1) for connecting a substrate (2) with an electronic circuit to a printed circuit board (4) comprises a a housing (5) of insulating material with a zone (6) for receiving said substrate. A main surface of the substrate is provided with contact pads or the like arranged in a given grid pattern with a predetermined pitch in column and row directions and the substrate has side edges located at a predetermined location with respect to the contact pads and the printed circuit board has contact pads (3) arranged in the grid pattern. Through-holes (7) are provided in the zone in the grid pattern and contact members (8) are provided in at least a part of the through-holes. Further the connector comprises positioning means for locating the substrate with respect to the housing in such a manner that the through-holes of the housing are aligned with the contact pads of the substrate.

Abstract: A connector (1) for connecting a substrate (2) with an electronic circuit to a printed circuit board (11) comprises a housing (4) of insulating material with a zone (5) for receiving said substrate. A main surface of the substrate is provided with contact balls (3) arranged in a given grid pattern with a predetermined pitch in column and row directions and the printed circuit board is provided with contact pads (10) arranged in the grid pattern. Through-holes (6) are provided in the zone in the grid pattern and contact members (7) are provided in at least a part of the through-holes. Further the connector comprises positioning means for locating the substrate with respect to the housing in such a manner that the through-holes of the housing are aligned with the contact balls of the substrate.

Abstract: This plug (200) is intended to interact with a mating connector or other female connection element comprising a tubular housing (103) provided with two diametrically opposite studs (109) for engaging and locking. According to the invention, the plug comprises: an elongate central body (210) accommodating the fiber termination (211, 212) with a cylindrical region (250) whose external section corresponds with the internal section of the housing of the mating connection, and two elastically deformable arms (220), each connected by one (222) of their ends to a rear region (218) of the central body and extending in along the central body substantially parallel to the general axis of the latter and toward the respective studs of the mating connector, the free end (223) of each arm each carrying a flange (230) provided, on its face turned toward the central body, with a cavity (231) of cross-section at least partially corresponding with the external section of the respective stud of the mating connector.

Abstract: A device for molding plastics material ferrules for optical fiber connectors comprises a molding cavity defined by an accurately sized cylindrical bush defining the outside diameter of the ferrule. A cover closes the molding cavity. A peg joined to the cover extends axially into the molding cavity and is extended at its free end by an accurately sized needle defining the inside diameter of the ferrule. A backing member extending axially into the molding cavity from the opposite end as compared with the peg comprises a bore for guiding the needle adapted to receive the end thereof when the backing member moves towards the peg so as to render the needle and the bush concentric. A venting system allows gases to escape from the molding cavity to the exterior when plastics material is injected into the mold. The backing member is a substantially cylindrical body of revolution which fits directly into the bush with no clearance and minimal force.

Abstract: An intermediate connector is for mounting on a printed circuit card so that a first face of the connector bears against the card, and so that a second face thereof receives a substrate of an electronic circuit. It interconnects contact areas provided on the substrate and tracks on the card. The connector has an insulating support having regularly spaced apart through-passages that receive respective electrical signal contacts, each of which connects one contact area to a track. Each contact is a cut out piece of metal sheet and has a rigid branch for fastening it to the support, and a flexible branch that is S-shaped. Each passage is defined by partitions and slidably receives a corresponding rigid branch and it has abutment shoulders that are spaced apart by an interval eo, The abutment closest to the first face is at a predetermined height ho relative thereto.

Abstract: A device for measuring the thermal expansion of a sample comprises a measurement radiation generator, a base member incorporating a reference groove and a furnace. The furnace has an external reference contour adapted to cooperate with the reference groove, an internal reference contour adapted to cooperate with a sample and an aperture through which the measurement radiation passes.

Abstract: A device for molding plastics material ferrules for optical fibre connectors comprises a molding cavity defined by an accurately sized cylindrical bush defining the outside diameter of the ferrule. A cover closes the molding cavity. A peg joined to the cover extends axially into the molding cavity and is extended at its free end by an accurately sized needle defining the inside diameter of the ferrule. A backing member extending axially into the molding cavity from the opposite end as compared with the peg comprises a bore for guiding the needle adapted to receive the end thereof when the backing member moves towards the peg so as to render the needle and the bush concentric. A venting system allows gases to escape from the molding cavity to the exterior when plastics material is injected into the mold. The backing member is a substantially cylindrical body of revolution which fits directly into the bush with no clearance and minimal force.