Abstract: An implantable lead for placement by means of a guide wire passing therethrough. The lead has an elongated insulative lead body with an axially extending lumen through at least a distal portion of the lead body. A conductor is mounted within and extends to an electrode assembly mounted to a distal portion of the lead body. A seal housing with a seal located therein located at a distal end of the lead body. The seal is located generally perpendicular to the axis of the lead body and is concave on both its proximal and distal sides. The housing is provided with a cavity adjacent each of the seal's proximal and distal sides, into which the seal may be deflected. The electrode assembly may be mounted to the seal housing.

Abstract: Hermetically sealed assemblies, for example, that include IC chips, are configured for incorporation within a connector terminal of an implantable medical electrical lead, preferably within a contact member of the terminal. An assembly may include two feedthrough subassemblies, welded to either end of the contact member, to form an hermetic capsule, in which an IC chip is enclosed, and a tubular member, which allows a lumen to extend therethrough, along a length of the terminal. A multi-electrode lead may include multiplexer circuitry, preferably a switch matrix element and a communications, control and power supply element that are electrically coupled to the contact member and to another contact member of the terminal. Each pair of switch matrix switches allows for any two of the electrodes to be selected, in order to deliver a stimulation vector, via stimulation pulses from a device/pulse generator, to which the connector terminal is connected.

Abstract: Hermetically sealed assemblies, for example, that include IC chips, are configured for incorporation within a connector terminal of an implantable medical electrical lead, preferably within a contact member of the terminal. An assembly may include two feedthrough subassemblies, welded to either end of the contact member, to form an hermetic capsule, in which an IC chip is enclosed, and a tubular member, which allows a lumen to extend therethrough, along a length of the terminal. A multi-electrode lead may include multiplexer circuitry, preferably a switch matrix element and a communications, control and power supply element that are electrically coupled to the contact member and to another contact member of the terminal. Each pair of switch matrix switches allows for any two of the electrodes to be selected, in order to deliver a stimulation vector, via stimulation pulses from a device/pulse generator, to which the connector terminal is connected.

Abstract: Hermetically sealed assemblies, for example, that include IC chips, are configured for incorporation within a connector terminal of an implantable medical electrical lead, preferably within a contact member of the terminal. An assembly may include two feedthrough subassemblies, welded to either end of the contact member, to form an hermetic capsule, in which an IC chip is enclosed, and a tubular member, which allows a lumen to extend therethrough, along a length of the terminal. A multi-electrode lead may include multiplexer circuitry, preferably a switch matrix element and a communications, control and power supply element that are electrically coupled to the contact member and to another contact member of the terminal. Each pair of switch matrix switches allows for any two of the electrodes to be selected, in order to deliver a stimulation vector, via stimulation pulses from a device/pulse generator, to which the connector terminal is connected.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) can include an implantable pulse generator (IPG), such as a cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Various portions of the IMD, such as a device body, a lead body, or a lead tip, can be provided to reduce or dissipate a current and heat induced by various external environmental factors. According to various embodiments, features can be incorporated into the lead body, the lead tip, or the IMD body to reduce the creation of an induced current, or dissipate the induced current and heat created due to an induced current in the lead.

Abstract: Hermetically sealed assemblies, for example, that include IC chips, are configured for incorporation within a connector terminal of an implantable medical electrical lead, preferably within a contact member of the terminal. An assembly may include two feedthrough subassemblies, welded to either end of the contact member, to form an hermetic capsule, in which an IC chip is enclosed, and a tubular member, which allows a lumen to extend therethrough, along a length of the terminal. A multi-electrode lead may include multiplexer circuitry, preferably a switch matrix element and a communications, control and power supply element that are electrically coupled to the contact member and to another contact member of the terminal. Each pair of switch matrix switches allows for any two of the electrodes to be selected, in order to deliver a stimulation vector, via stimulation pulses from a device/pulse generator, to which the connector terminal is connected.

Abstract: An implantable lead for placement by means of a guide wire passing therethrough. The lead has an elongated insulative lead body with an axially extending lumen through at least a distal portion of the lead body. A conductor is mounted within and extends to an electrode assembly mounted to a distal portion of the lead body. A seal housing with a seal located therein located at a distal end of the lead body. The seal is located generally perpendicular to the axis of the lead body and is concave on both its proximal and distal sides. The housing is provided with a cavity adjacent each of the seal's proximal and distal sides, into which the seal may be deflected. The electrode assembly may be mounted to the seal housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing a patient's heart rate or blood pressure. The apparatus provides stimulation to the patient's atrial and/or nodal tissue within the associated refractory period of the ventricle but outside of an associated refractory period of the stimulated atrial an/or nodal tissue, responsive to detecting an occurrence of a ventricular depolarization following a preceding atrial depolarization. The apparatus may define a time window following the ventricular depolarization, following the atrial depolarization or determined based upon the timing of both the atrial and ventricular depolarizations. The stimulus may be delivered during or on expiration of the defined time window. The duration of the time window may be pre-set or determined based upon measurements of the patient's refractory periods.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) can include an implantable pulse generator (IPG), such as a cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Various portions of the IMD, such as a device body, a lead body, or a lead tip, can be provided to reduce or dissipate a current and heat induced by various external environmental factors. According to various embodiments, features can be incorporated into the lead body, the lead tip, or the IMD body to reduce the creation of an induced current, or dissipate the induced current and heat created due to an induced current in the lead.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) can include an implantable pulse generator (IPG), such as a cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Various portions of the IMD, such as a device body, a lead body, or a lead tip, can be provided to reduce or dissipate a current and heat induced by various external environmental factors. According to various embodiments, features can be incorporated into the lead body, the lead tip, or the IMD body to reduce the creation of an induced current, or dissipate the induced current and heat created due to an induced current in the lead.

Abstract: A system and method for deploying a lead in a cardiac chamber, a cardiac vein, or a coronary artery of a patient is disclosed. The system includes a delivery device such as a guidewire having an electrode retention member at the guidewire distal end to engage an electrode assembly. The guidewire is adapted to be inserted into the inner lumen of an introducer sheath so that the electrode retention member extends beyond the distal tip of the introducer. The electrode assembly is then coupled to the electrode retention member of the guidewire. The introducer includes means at the distal end adapted to engage the proximal end of the electrode assembly that is mounted on the guidewire. This allows the introducer to push the electrode assembly and the guidewire through the vasculature to a predetermined point of implant. The introducer may then be utilized to dislodge the electrode assembly from the guidewire at the predetermined implant site before the guidewire and introducer are withdrawn.