Abstract: A chamber or vasculature of a heart may be accessed via the pericardial space of the heart. Initially, the pericardial space may be accessed via a transmyocardial approach or a subxiphoid approach. A lead or other implantable apparatus may thus be routed into the pericardial space, through myocardial tissue and into the chamber or vasculature. The lead or other apparatus may be used to sense activity in or provide therapy to the heart.

Abstract: A medical device configured to be secured to an individual may include a housing containing one or more electrical components, and one or more leads electrically connected to the housing. Each lead may include an insulating jacket that surrounds a central core including one or more conductors, and at least one pressure-resisting member integrally formed with one or both of the insulating jacket or the central core. The pressure-resisting member is configured to resist one or more forces exerted into the central core. For example, the pressure-resisting member may include one or more of a suture-anchoring member or a lead-strengthening member.

Abstract: A medical device configured to be secured to an individual may include a housing containing one or more electrical components, and one or more leads electrically connected to the housing. Each lead may include an insulating jacket that surrounds a central core including one or more conductors, and at least one pressure-resisting member integrally formed with one or both of the insulating jacket or the central core. The pressure-resisting member is configured to resist one or more forces exerted into the central core. For example, the pressure-resisting member may include one or more of a suture-anchoring member or a lead-strengthening member.

Abstract: A method for implanting an active fixation medical lead is disclosed herein. The lead may include a lead body distal end, a tissue fixation helical anchor and a structure. The tissue fixation helical anchor may be coupled to the lead body distal end and include a distal tip. The structure may be coupled to the lead body distal end and include a structure distal end including a first radiopaque marker. The structure may be biased to project the structure distal end near the distal tip. When the tissue fixation helical anchor is progressively embedded in the cardiac tissue, the cardiac tissue progressively displaces the structure distal end proximally.

Abstract: A chamber or vasculature of a heart may be accessed via the pericardial space of the heart. Initially, the pericardial space may be accessed via a transmyocardial approach or a subxiphoid approach. A lead or other implantable apparatus may thus be routed into the pericardial space, through myocardial tissue and into the chamber or vasculature. The lead or other apparatus may be used to sense activity in or provide therapy to the heart.

Abstract: A chamber or vasculature of a heart may be accessed via the pericardial space of the heart. Initially, the pericardial space may be accessed via a transmyocardial approach or a subxiphoid approach. A lead or other implantable apparatus may thus be routed into the pericardial space, through myocardial tissue and into the chamber or vasculature. The lead or other apparatus may be used to sense activity in or provide therapy to the heart.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for accessing the pericardial space of a heart including an elongated body defining a lumen and a piercing member that extends from a distal portion of the elongated body for piercing tissue of the heart. A spring expands from a distal end of the piercing member in response to the distal end of the piercing member passing through the tissue and into the pericardial space. An electrode located on the spring in order to sense signals indicative of a distal end of the spring passing through the tissue and into the pericardial space.

Abstract: A method for implanting an active fixation medical lead is disclosed herein. The lead may include a lead body distal end, a tissue fixation helical anchor and a structure. The tissue fixation helical anchor may be coupled to the lead body distal end and include a distal tip. The structure may be coupled to the lead body distal end and include a structure distal end including a first radiopaque marker. The structure may be biased to project the structure distal end near the distal tip. When the tissue fixation helical anchor is progressively embedded in the cardiac tissue, the cardiac tissue progressively displaces the structure distal end proximally.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for monitoring a motion of a cardiac tissue. The system includes a motion sensor configured to operably couple to the cardiac tissue. The motion sensor includes an electroactive polymer and is further configured to result in a deflection in the electroactive polymer when the cardiac tissue undergoes the motion. The deflection in the electroactive polymer generates an electrical event.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead for active fixation to cardiac tissue is disclosed herein. The lead may include a lead body distal end, a tissue fixation helical anchor and a structure. The tissue fixation helical anchor may be coupled to the lead body distal end and include a distal tip. The structure may be coupled to the lead body distal end and include a structure distal end including a first radiopaque marker. The structure may be biased to project the structure distal end near the distal tip. When the tissue fixation helical anchor is progressively embedded in the cardiac tissue, the cardiac tissue progressively displaces the structure distal end proximally.

Abstract: A chamber or vasculature of a heart may be accessed via the pericardial space of the heart. Initially, the pericardial space may be accessed via a transmyocardial approach or a subxiphoid approach. A lead or other implantable apparatus may thus be routed into the pericardial space, through myocardial tissue and into the chamber or vasculature. The lead or other apparatus may be used to sense activity in or provide therapy to the heart.

Abstract: What is described is a method of implanting one or more electrodes of a pacing or defibrillation lead in heart tissue. The method comprises positioning a distal end of a catheter against a surface of the heart tissue, extending a distal end of a first electrode from a lumen of the catheter such that the distal end of the first electrode penetrates the surface, and retracting the first electrode to fix a hook feature of the first electrode in the heart tissue.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead for active fixation to cardiac tissue is disclosed herein. The lead may include a lead body distal end, a tissue fixation helical anchor and a structure. The tissue fixation helical anchor may be coupled to the lead body distal end and include a distal tip. The structure may be coupled to the lead body distal end and include a structure distal end including a first radiopaque marker. The structure may be biased to project the structure distal end near the distal tip. When the tissue fixation helical anchor is progressively embedded in the cardiac tissue, the cardiac tissue progressively displaces the structure distal end proximally.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical activation probe obtains information pertaining to both myocardial electrical activity and myocardial mechanical activity at each of a plurality of locations relative to the myocardium of a heart chamber. For each location, the temporal difference between a feature of the electrical activity, such as the QRS complex of an IEGM, and a feature of the mechanical activity, such as the onset of myocardial contraction, is compared to obtain a mechanical activation delay. A stimulation electrode is then positioned at one of the locations based on the comparison. The electrode may be positioned at the location having the greatest mechanical activation delay. Other mechanical activity, such as contractual force, may be used in conjunction with the mechanical activation delay to determine the optimal electrode location.

Abstract: An implantable lead assembly for a body implantable medical system adapted to transmit electrical signals between a proximal end portion of the lead assembly and a distal end portion of the lead assembly to thereby stimulate selected body tissue includes an elongated insulative sheath of flexible resilient material having at least one longitudinally extending lumen, an electrical conductor received within the lumen of the insulative sheath and extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one elongated super plastic element slidably received within the lumen of the insulative sheath, the super plastic element being bendable to configure the lead assembly to negotiate tortuous turns in the vasculature of the body. An electrical connector is coupled to the proximal end of the conductor for releasable attachment to a stimulating pulse generator and an electrode is coupled to the distal end of the conductor.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump for conveying a fluid comprises a flexible tube having an outer surface and a lumen for carrying the fluid such as a therapeutic agent. The tube has a length defined by opposed ends of the tube, the outer surface of the body carrying a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart electroactive polymer actuators. The plurality of actuators are adapted to be responsive to electrical signals for energizing the actuators sequentially along the length of the tube to move a lumen pinch-off along the length of the tube to thereby convey the fluid from one end of the tube to the other end by means of a peristaltic pumping action. The peristaltic pump may be incorporated into a medical lead, such as an endocardial pacing lead, carrying at least one electrode.

Abstract: An implantable myocardial stimulation lead comprises a lead body having a distal end and a proximal end, and an electrical connector carried by the proximal end of the lead body. An electrode header carried by the distal end of the lead body has an axis and includes a helical fixation element extending along the axis, the electrode header having a surface configured to receive a driver for rotating the electrode header to screw the helical fixation element into the tissue of the heart. The lead body carries along its length a strain relief member resisting excessive bending of the lead body.

Abstract: A drug-eluting endocardial lead and method of manufacture. The silicone elastomer of the present invention is ideally suited to a manufacturing environment due to its extended pot life and decreased curing time. A preferred silicone elastomer is comprised of a multi-part mixture having at least a base portion and a curing portion. Additionally, since curing does not begin until the base and curing portions are combined, the mixing can be physically undertaken closer to the location of the endocardial lead and the curing “clock” does not start until the mixing occurs and external heat is applied. Since the silicone elastomer formed by base and curing components have improved the pot life and curing characteristics, the mixture is suitable for mixing with a steroid and then dispensing into an endocardial lead tip thus eliminating current design limitations imposed by current art while concomitantly minimizing manufacturing costs.

Abstract: An exemplary lead and sheath assembly suitable for positioning in the human body includes a lead body, a sheath surrounding the lead body, one or more conductors embedded in the lead body and one or more conduits that allow for a flow of adhesive or an adhesive component to a site in the human body to thereby secure one or more electrodes in electrical contact at least one of the conductors. Various methods, devices, systems and/or other assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A proximal end of a lead body carries a connector assembly. A first electrical conductor within the lead body electrically connects a tip electrode to a first electrical contact on the connector assembly. A collar electrode is carried by a distal end portion of the lead body. A second electrical conductor within the lead body electrically connects the collar electrode to a second electrical contact on the connector assembly. A ring electrode, carried by the distal end portion of the lead body, is disposed proximally of the collar electrode in spaced-apart relationship thereto and is connected through a switching device to a node point along the first conductor. The switching device has a first state permitting an electrical current to be conducted between the ring electrode and the node point and a second state in which the ring electrode is electrically isolated from the node point. Preferably, the switching device comprises a diode.