Abstract: An implantable medical device system includes a medical electrical lead having a connector assembly and a connector bore for receiving the lead connector assembly. The lead includes a distal portion having a first outer diameter and a distal sealing member, an intermediate portion having a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter, and a connector pin extending from the intermediate portion, the connector pin having an outer diameter corresponding to a DF-1 standard.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a medical electrical device is presented. An inner diameter and an outer diameter of a connector ring is machined to form a first and a second flange extending from the inner diameter. An electric discharge machining wire burner is used to form a conductor channel in the inner diameter of the connector ring. A conductor is positioned within the conductor channel. A first distal end of the first flange is coupled to a second distal end of the second flange.

Abstract: A lead connector arrangement includes a non-cylindrically shaped connector pin coupled to a lead conductor and a connector sleeve assembly for receiving the non-cylindrically shaped connector pin. The connector sleeve assembly includes an insert with an axial bore formed therein that complements the shape of the non-cylindrical connector pin. According to one embodiment, the non-cylindrical connector pin may be provided in the form of a triangular, square, rectangular, or hexagonal shape. The axial bore has a complimentary shape to receive the connector pin. When the connector pin is threaded through the connector sleeve assembly using a pull-wire device, the pull-wire device may be unscrewed from the connector pin without causing axial rotation of the lead conductor when the connector pin is fully inserted within the axial bore.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead includes an elastomeric multi-lumen tube, which includes a lumen having a substantially elliptical cross-section through which a conductor having a substantially circular cross-section may extend. The substantially elliptical cross-section of the lumen includes a minor axis having a first length and being deformable such that the first length of the minor axis extends to a second length.

Abstract: A lead connector arrangement includes a non-cylindrically shaped connector pin coupled to a lead conductor and a connector sleeve assembly for receiving the non-cylindrically shaped connector pin. The connector sleeve assembly includes an insert with an axial bore formed therein that complements the shape of the non-cylindrical connector pin. According to one embodiment, the non-cylindrical connector pin may be provided in the form of a triangular, square, rectangular, or hexagonal shape. The axial bore has a complimentary shape to receive the connector pin. When the connector pin is threaded through the connector sleeve assembly using a pull-wire device, the pull-wire device may be unscrewed from the connector pin without causing axial rotation of the lead conductor when the connector pin is fully inserted within the axial bore.

Abstract: A system for coupling a medical electrical lead to a medical device includes an upsizing sleeve having a plurality of spring contacts, a plurality of seal members, and contact members joined in an alternating manner with relatively rigid insulation members. At least one contact member includes an inner surface for housing a contact from the plurality of spring contacts and at least one insulation member includes an inner surface for housing a seal from the plurality of seal members.

Abstract: An improved connection system for coupling a device such as a pacemaker, cardioverter, defibrillator, nerve stimulator, muscle stimulator, implantable monitor or other medical device to a medical lead is disclosed. The connection system includes a coupling member designed to couple to the proximal end of the lead. This coupling member, which includes an inner lumen sized to form a press fit around the proximal end of the lead body, may be of a generally tubular construction. This coupling member includes connector means to enable a connector pin at the proximal end of the lead to mechanically and electrically couple to a device. The connector means may further include means for coupling both mechanically and electrically to a ring connector on the proximal end of a multi-polar lead. An insertion member may also be provided to allow the lead to be more easily inserted within the inner lumen of the coupling member.

Abstract: An implantable medical device that includes a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a plurality of conductors extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the lead body, and an insulative layer formed of a hydrolytically stable polyimide material surrounding the plurality of conductors. In one embodiment, the hydrolytically stable polyimide material is an SI polyimide material.

Abstract: A lead connector arrangement includes a non-cylindrically shaped connector pin coupled to a lead conductor and a connector sleeve assembly for receiving the non-cylindrically shaped connector pin. The connector sleeve assembly includes an insert with an axial bore formed therein that complements the shape of the non-cylindrical connector pin. According to one embodiment, the non-cylindrical connector pin may be provided in the form of a triangular, square, rectangular, or hexagonal shape. The axial bore has a complimentary shape to receive the connector pin. When the connector pin is threaded through the connector sleeve assembly using a pull-wire device, the pull-wire device may be unscrewed from the connector pin without causing axial rotation of the lead conductor when the connector pin is fully inserted within the axial bore.

Abstract: A system for coupling a medical electrical lead to a medical device includes an upsizing sleeve having a plurality of spring contacts, a plurality of seal members, and contact members joined in an alternating manner with relatively rigid insulation members. At least one contact member includes an inner surface for housing a contact from the plurality of spring contacts and at least one insulation member includes an inner surface for housing a seal from the plurality of seal members.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead that includes an indicator member that acts as a visual aid in implanting an electrode into a body tissue while using a fluoroscope. In an example embodiment, a medical electrical lead assembly includes an electrode head member, an electrode and a shaft member, the shaft member being retractable and extendible within the electrode head member. Each of the electrode, electrode head member and shaft member have, respectively, a distal end and a proximal end, and the electrode head member has an outer surface. The medical lead assembly includes an indicator coil member disposed on the outer surface of the electrode head member that is spaced laterally away from the shaft member in a first retracted position. The shaft member moves in alignment with the indicator coil member in a second extended position to indicate that the electrode extends out from the electrode head member.

Abstract: A multi-conductor lead body having improved mechanical characteristics and improved manufacturability is disclosed. The lead body includes multiple conductors wound around a generally cylindrical or tubular, insulative core member. Ones of the conductors are spaced from other ones of the conductors by means of insulative strands or tubes wound around the core intermediate the conductors. The conductors may be stranded or cabled conductors. The core may be an insulative cylindrical or tubular member having a centrally located tensile reinforcement member, or may take the form of an insulated coiled conductor, allowing the use of a centrally located stylet to place the lead. Preferably, conductors and insulative strands or tubes separating the conductors are sized relative to the core member such that a gap is allowed between the conductors and associated insulative strands or tubes.

Abstract: An introducer that includes a tubular outer sheath having proximal and distal ends, a tubular inner sheath having proximal and distal ends, rotatably mounted within the outer sheath, and a knob, positioned at the proximal end of the inner sheath, so that the inner sheath is rotatable through the knob. A gripping mechanism is coupled to the distal end of the inner sheath and rotatable with the inner sheath to compressively engage a distal portion of a lead or catheter extending through the inner sheath in response to the rotation of the inner sheath through the knob.

Abstract: An improved connection system for coupling a device such as a pacemaker, cardioverter, defibrillator, nerve stimulator, muscle stimulator, implantable monitor or other medical device to a medical lead is disclosed. The connection system includes a coupling member designed to couple to the proximal end of the lead. This coupling member, which includes an inner lumen sized to form a press fit around the proximal end of the lead body, may be of a generally tubular construction. This coupling member includes connector means to enable a connector pin at the proximal end of the lead to mechanically and electrically couple to a device. The connector means may further include means for coupling both mechanically and electrically to a ring connector on the proximal end of a multi-polar lead. An insertion member may also be provided to allow the lead to be more easily inserted within the inner lumen of the coupling member.