Abstract: A lead assembly includes an elongate body having a conductor electrically coupled with an electrode coupled to the elongate body. The lead assembly includes a push tube extending along at least a portion of the elongate body. A distal tip is coupled to the elongate body substantially adjacent to the distal end of the elongate body. The distal tip is sized and shaped to couple with a push tube distal end. In one option, the distal tip includes a seat to receive the push tube distal end. In another option, the seat is a side rail seat and a guide wire extends along the elongate body and is slidably coupled with the side rail seat. The lead assembly includes, optionally, an active fixation device slidably coupled with a portion of the elongate body, and the active fixation device is sized and shaped to couple with the push tube.

Abstract: A lead assembly includes an elongate body having a conductor electrically coupled with an electrode coupled to the elongate body. The lead assembly includes a push tube extending along at least a portion of the elongate body. A distal tip is coupled to the elongate body substantially adjacent to the distal end of the elongate body. The distal tip is sized and shaped to couple with a push tube distal end. In one option, the distal tip includes a seat to receive the push tube distal end. In another option, the seat is a side rail seat and a guide wire extends along the elongate body and is slidably coupled with the side rail seat. The lead assembly includes, optionally, an active fixation device slidably coupled with a portion of the elongate body, and the active fixation device is sized and shaped to couple with the push tube.

Abstract: A guide catheter assembly for accessing lateral branch veins of the coronary sinus includes a guide catheter and a pacing lead. The guide catheter has a central lumen therethrough, a proximal end and a distal end pre-formed with a guide curve. The pacing lead is slidably receivable within the guide catheter lumen. The pacing lead has a proximal end and a distal end formed with a first curve and a second curve extending proximally from the first curve. The second curve is adapted to mate with the guide curve to direct the first curve into a selected branch vein of the coronary sinus. The second curve may be pre-formed in the pacing lead, or may be imparted to the pacing lead via a stylet or inner catheter.

Abstract: A method of accessing lateral branch veins of the coronary sinus with a pacing lead and guide catheter assembly. The guide catheter has an open lumen extending therethrough and a distal end provided with a pre-formed guide curve, while the pacing lead has a distal end provided with a first curve and a second curve extending proximally from the first curve. The guide catheter is inserted into an access vessel of the heart and advanced along the access vessel to the coronary sinus. The pacing lead is inserted into the guide catheter lumen and advanced distally through the guide catheter lumen. The pacing lead is rotated by advancing the second curve of the pacing lead through the guide curve to align the first curve with a pre-determined plane. The first curve of the pacing lead into one of the lateral branch veins of the coronary sinus.

Abstract: A lead assembly includes an elongate body having a conductor electrically coupled with an electrode coupled to the elongate body. The lead assembly includes a push tube extending along at least a portion of the elongate body. A distal tip is coupled to the elongate body substantially adjacent to the distal end of the elongate body. The distal tip is sized and shaped to couple with a push tube distal end. In one option, the distal tip includes a seat to receive the push tube distal end. In another option, the seat is a side rail seat and a guide wire extends along the elongate body and is slidably coupled with the side rail seat. The lead assembly includes, optionally, an active fixation device slidably coupled with a portion of the elongate body, and the active fixation device is sized and shaped to couple with the push tube.

Abstract: A device and method for accessing a pericardial space of the heart includes a shaft having a cavity at a distal end, a suction lumen terminating in a distal port within the cavity and a hollow needle having a distal tip extending into the cavity. The cavity may be a recess in the shaft into which the distal tip of the needle fixedly protrudes. In other embodiments, the cavity is formed by an inflatable member positioned at the distal end of the shaft and the needle is slidable relative to the shaft. Suction is applied at the cavity to draw a pericardial bleb. The needle pierces the pericardial bleb for accessing the pericardial space and also facilitates delivery of payloads into the pericardial space.

Abstract: A method of accessing lateral branch veins of the coronary sinus with a pacing lead and guide catheter assembly. The guide catheter has an open lumen extending therethrough and a distal end provided with a pre-formed guide curve, while the pacing lead has a distal end provided with a first curve and a second curve extending proximally from the first curve. The guide catheter is inserted into an access vessel of the heart and advanced along the access vessel to the coronary sinus. The pacing lead is inserted into the guide catheter lumen and advanced distally through the guide catheter lumen. The pacing lead is rotated by advancing the second curve of the pacing lead through the guide curve to align the first curve with a pre-determined plane. The first curve of the pacing lead into one of the lateral branch veins of the coronary sinus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cardiac vascular occlusion system which includes inner and outer guide catheters and an occluding member disposed on the inner catheter. The occluding member may be deployed from a compressed to an expanded position to limit retrograde blood flow in a body lumen. The occluding member may be used when injecting a contrast agent into the body lumen.

Abstract: A method of placing an implantable device in a cardiac vessel involves positioning the implantable device so that a distal end of the implantable device is positioned in the cardiac vessel. A stylet having an enlarged distal portion is positioned within a lumen of the implantable device so that the enlarged distal portion of the stylet is located at a distal portion of the implantable device. A sleeve is positioned within the implantable device and in proximity to the enlarged distal portion of the stylet. The implantable device is stabilized by selective engagement and disengagement between the enlarged distal portion of the stylet and the sleeve.

Abstract: A lead assembly includes an elongate body having a conductor electrically coupled with an electrode coupled to the elongate body. The lead assembly includes a push tube extending along at least a portion of the elongate body. A distal tip is coupled to the elongate body substantially adjacent to the distal end of the elongate body. The distal tip is sized and shaped to couple with a push tube distal end. In one option, the distal tip includes a seat to receive the push tube distal end. In another option, the seat is a side rail seat and a guide wire extends along the elongate body and is slidably coupled with the side rail seat. The lead assembly includes, optionally, an active fixation device slidably coupled with a portion of the elongate body, and the active fixation device is sized and shaped to couple with the push tube.

Abstract: A finishing wire assembly is provided herein that employs features that allow for the finishing wire assembly to be utilized with several different types of leads. Foe example, leads having a variety of different lengths and/or diameters, or other features that vary from lead to lead. The finishing wire assembly is adjustable in its length. For example, a portion of the finishing wire assembly is movable at a proximal portion of the finishing wire assembly, as further described below.

Abstract: A finishing wire assembly employs features that allow for the finishing wire assembly to be utilized with several different types of leads having terminal pins with varying structure, such as different outer or inner diameters for the terminal pins.

Abstract: An improved guidewire for assisting in implantation of a cardiac lead includes three sections. The most distal zone is sufficiently floppy to prevent trauma to the vessel walls through which the guidewire and lead are inserted. An intermediate zone is generally stiffer and has a cross-section less than or equal to the cross-section of the distal zone. The third zone is stiffer yet and is joined to the intermediate zone by a shoulder. The shoulder cooperates with protrusions on the lead to transfer forces between the guidewire and lead. A finishing wire having temporary locking means to lock the finishing wire to the lead is employed to remove the guide catheter without moving the lead from its desired location. Lubricious coatings are also provided to reduce friction between the lead and guidewire.

Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus for implantable leads includes an elongated stylet and a sleeve slidable disposed along the stylet. The stylet includes an enlarged distal end, and the sleeve is movable onto the enlarged distal end to create an interference in a lumen of the implantable lead. The interference allows the stylet and sleeve to be used to stabilize the implantable lead during procedures that may dislodge the lead. The stabilizing apparatus also includes a proximal device that allows controllable, relative motion between the sleeve and stylet.

Abstract: A power supply for a xenon arc lamp that will automatically shut down if the lamp current is too high, the lamp voltage is too high, or the lamp requires too many trigger pulses to ignite it. Such conditions indicate faults in the lamp itself and should not be operated this way for safety. Lamp-on and end-of-lamp-life indications are provided to the operator for maintenance. The cooling fan power supply must be normal or the lamp will be shut off or not started. In combination, such provide a lamp system that can safely operate at very high powers.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a cardiac lead in the vasculature of the heart includes a guide catheter, a sleeve and a guidewire. The guide catheter has an inflatable balloon at its distal end and a central lumen open distally to the exterior of the catheter for injection of dye or advancement of a guidewire through the guide catheter and past its distal end. The guide sleeve replaces the guide catheter once the guidewire is in position so that a lead can be advanced over the guidewire with the sleeve.