Abstract: In various examples, an apparatus includes a needle assembly including an outer cannula including a tubular sidewall disposed around a lumen. At least a portion of the sidewall includes an exterior including a polymeric material configured to inhibit skiving of an interior of a dilator with movement of the outer cannula within the dilator. An inner cannula is disposed within the lumen and is selectively slidable with respect to the outer cannula. A handle is disposed at a proximal portion of the needle assembly. The handle includes a first handle portion coupled to and movable with the outer cannula. A second handle portion is coupled to and movable with the inner cannula, wherein the first handle portion is selectively movable with respect to the second handle portion to extend a distal end of the inner cannula from within the lumen of the outer cannula.

Abstract: In various examples, an apparatus includes a needle assembly including an outer cannula including a tubular sidewall disposed around a lumen. At least a portion of the sidewall includes an exterior including a polymeric material configured to inhibit skiving of an interior of a dilator with movement of the outer cannula within the dilator. An inner cannula is disposed within the lumen and is selectively slidable with respect to the outer cannula. A handle is disposed at a proximal portion of the needle assembly. The handle includes a first handle portion coupled to and movable with the outer cannula. A second handle portion is coupled to and movable with the inner cannula, wherein the first handle portion is selectively movable with respect to the second handle portion to extend a distal end of the inner cannula from within the lumen of the outer cannula.

Abstract: A catheter system for positioning of a medical instrument within a body. The catheter system includes a hub defining a main lumen therethrough for passage of the medical instrument. The catheter system also includes an elongate tubular member defining a lumen therethrough. The lumen of the elongate tubular member is in communication with the main lumen of the hub for further passage of the medical instrument. The elongate tubular member defines a first portion and a second portion. The catheter system also includes a reinforcement member that is fixedly coupled to and reinforces the elongate tubular member, the reinforcement member includes a first part, a second part, and a partition defined between the first and second parts. The first and second parts are adapted to selectively move away from each other along the partition to thereby move the first and second portions away from each other and to uncover the medical instrument.

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 elongate body of a medical electrical lead includes at least one conductor formed into a coil that includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion extends within an outer insulation sheath and the second portion extends outside the outer insulation sheath to be exposed to an environment external to the lead body as an energy dissipating shunt.

Abstract: A medical electrical device that includes an elongated body extending from a proximal end to a distal end having an inner surface forming an elongated body lumen, a conductor extending through the elongated body lumen, and an electrode positioned along the distal end of the elongated body and electrically coupled to a distal end of the conductor. A connector ring is coupled to a proximal end of the elongated body and electrically coupled to a proximal end of the conductor, and includes an inner surface forming a connector ring lumen extending along the connector ring. A first flange extends from the inner surface to a first flange distal end and forms a conductor channel extending along the inner lumen to position the conductor within the connector ring and to form the electrical coupling of the connector ring and the proximal end of the conductor.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead includes a conductive component coupling a coil to a wire or cable; the conductive component includes a first side, a second side, a first groove formed in the first side and a second groove formed in the second side. The first groove holds a portion of the cable and the second groove holds a portion of the coil.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead component includes a groove formed in a surface of the component and a resistance weld formed between a portion of a conductor positioned within the groove and the component.

Abstract: A lead fixation tool includes a tapered opening for receiving and guiding a stylet into a lead. The fixation tool also includes an engagement mechanism for gripping a portion of the lead connector so that rotation of the tool causes rotation of an active fixation tip, such as a helical tip, coupled with the lead.

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: An insulative housing formed about a distal end of a medical electrical lead body includes a cavity and a port; an ionically conductive medium fills the cavity and is in intimate contact with an electrode surface contained within the cavity. When a current is delivered to the electrode surface contained within the cavity, a first current density generated at the electrode surface is smaller than a second current density generated out from the port of the insulative housing; thus, the port forms a high impedance and low polarization tissue-stimulating electrode.

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: An elongate medical electrical lead conductor includes a layer of hydrolytically stable polyimide formed thereover.