Abstract: An elongated coronary vein lead having a variable stiffness lead body and most preferably adapted to be advanced into a selected coronary vein for delivering a pacing or defibrillation signal to a predetermined region of a patient's heart, such as the left ventricle is disclosed. A method of pacing and/or defibrillating a patient's heart using the lead is also described. The method of pacing or defibrillating the heart includes advancing the coronary vein lead through both the coronary sinus and into a selected coronary vein of a patient's heart, connecting the lead to an electrical pacing source and applying electrical stimulation to a particular chamber of the patient's heart via the implanted lead. The lead includes a variable stiffness lead body that enhances the ability of the lead to be retained in a coronary vein after the lead has been implanted therein.

Abstract: An elongated coronary vein lead having a variable stiffness lead body and most preferably adapted to be advanced into a selected coronary vein for delivering a pacing or defibrillation signal to a predetermined region of a patient's heart, such as the left ventricle is disclosed. A method of pacing and/or defibrillating a patient's heart using the lead is also described. The method of pacing or defibrillating the heart includes advancing the coronary vein lead through both the coronary sinus and into a selected coronary vein of a patient's heart, connecting the lead to an electrical pacing source and applying electrical stimulation to a particular chamber of the patient's heart via the implanted lead. The lead includes a variable stiffness lead body that enhances the ability of the lead to be retained in a coronary vein after the lead has been implanted therein.

Abstract: A medical instrument including a body extending between proximal and distal ends and enclosing an elongated, inelastic, pull wire extending between a pull wire proximal end affixed at a point at or near the proximal end and a pull wire distal end affixed at or near the distal end. The wire extends through a lumen off-set from the instrument axis and through a distal segment of the body that is to be curved for deflection at the distal end. A proximal segment of the instrument axially stretches when tension is applied to increase the length of the proximal segment from a relaxed length. A hand-held tool engages the proximal and distal ends of the proximal segment and manually applies a selective amount of tension that stretches the proximal segment from its relaxed length.

Abstract: An elongated coronary vein lead having a variable stiffness lead body and most preferably adapted to be advanced into a selected coronary vein for delivering a pacing or defibrillation signal to a predetermined region of a patient's heart, such as the left ventricle is disclosed. A method of pacing and/or defibrillating a patient's heart using the lead is also described. The method of pacing or defibrillating the heart includes advancing the coronary vein lead through both the coronary sinus and into a selected coronary vein of a patient's heart, connecting the lead to an electrical pacing source and applying electrical stimulation to a particular chamber of the patient's heart via the implanted lead. The lead includes a variable stiffness lead body that enhances the ability of the lead to be retained in a coronary vein after the lead has been implanted therein.

Abstract: An elongated coronary vein lead having a variable stiffness lead body and most preferably adapted to be advanced into a selected coronary vein for delivering a pacing or defibrillation signal to a predetermined region of a patient's heart, such as the left ventricle is disclosed. A method of pacing and/or defibrillating a patient's heart using the lead is also described. The method of pacing or defibrillating the heart includes advancing the coronary vein lead through both the coronary sinus and into a selected coronary vein of a patient's heart, connecting the lead to an electrical pacing source and applying electrical stimulation to a particular chamber of the patient's heart via the implanted lead. The lead includes a variable stiffness lead body that enhances the ability of the lead to be retained in a coronary vein after the lead has been implanted therein.

Abstract: A transvenous lead specifically designed for coronary sinus implantation. The lead features a fixation ring positioned adjacent to the electrode. The ring is constructed so as to be readily pliable and bent. The ring functions to wedge or fix the lead within the coronary sinus in such a manner that the electrode is pushed against the vessel wall while the flow of blood through the vessel is not impeded. In alternative embodiments the electrode is positioned on the ring itself. In further alternative embodiments the distal portion of the lead features a pre bent nose to assist in the positioning of the lead into the coronary sinus. The nose may be oriented relative to the ring in any acceptable manner to permit the ring and the electrode to be properly positioned relative to anywhere along the coronary sinus wall.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial defibrillation, and in particular a method for providing temporary atrial defibrillation which involves insertion of only one defibrillation lead. A lead introducer is provided having a sheath with an electrode configured around the outside of the sheath and a lumen for receiving therethrough a standard defibrillation lead. After insertion of the introducer into a patient's vein and positioning it so that the introducer electrode is placed within the vein, a defibrillation lead is passed through the introducer lumen. The defibrillation lead carries at least one electrode, suitably an electrode spaced from its distal end so that it can be positioned in the patient's coronary sinus.

Abstract: A temporary atrial defibrillation lead featuring a pad fashioned of a pliant biocompatible material in which three parallel stainless steel defibrillation wire electrodes are mounted. The pad contains holes which expose the electrode wires in a discontinuous fashion. The three electrode wires are merged into one polyurethane insulated lead body, proximal to the pad. At the proximal end of the lead body a stainless steel connector pin with break away needle is mounted, for percutaneous exteriorization of the lead pin, in an area separated from the surgical incision. The break away needle can be broken off to make the connector pin suitable to patient cable connection. The pad is permanently implanted on the atria and remains implanted after removal of the temporary electrode sections. The temporary electrode sections may be removed by gently pulling them at their proximal end. In a preferred embodiment the pad is fashioned of PTFE felt.

Abstract: A temporary atrial defibrillation lead featuring a polytetraflouroethylene ("TEFLON") felt pad in which three parallel stainless steel defibrillation wire electrodes are mounted. The pad contains holes which expose the electrode wires in a discontinuous fashion. The three electrode wires are merged into one polyurethane insulated lead body, proximal to the pad. At the proximal end of the lead body a stainless steel connector pin with break away needle are mounted, for percutaneous exteriorization of the lead pin, in an area separated from the surgical incision. The break away needle can be broken off to make the connector pin suitable to patient cable connection. The polytetraflouroethylene ("TEFLON") pad is permanently implanted on the atria and remains implanted after removal of the temporary electrode sections. The temporary electrode sections may be removed by gently pulling them at their proximal end.

Abstract: An epicardial lead having an electrode extending from the bottom thereof in combination with an anchoring system adapted to secure the lead to the heart without the use of complex procedures or tools. In particular the lead achieves stable fixation through the provision of a flexible member moveable between a first position and a second position and a pair of fixation members connected to said flexible member, each fixation member having a distal end and a root, each flexible member connected to the electrode mounting at a point beyond the tip portion of the fixation member.

Abstract: A temporary atrial defibrillation lead featuring a polytetraflouroethylene ("TEFLON") felt pad in which three parallel stainless steel defibrillation wire electrodes are mounted. The pad contains holes which expose the electrode wires in a discontinuous fashion. The three electrode wires are merged into one polyurethane insulated lead body, proximal to the pad. At the proximal end of the lead body a stainless steel connector pin with break away needle are mounted, for percutaneous exteriorization of the lead pin, in an area separated from the surgical incision. The break away needle can be broken off to make the connector pin suitable to patient cable connection. The (polytetraflouroethylene ("TEFLON") pad is permanently implanted on the atria and remains implanted after removal of the temporary electrode sections. The temporary electrode sections may be removed by gently pulling them at their proximal end.

Abstract: An epicardial lead having an stab-in electrode extending from the bottom thereof in combination with an anchoring system adapted to secure the lead to the heart without the use of complex procedures or tools. In particular the lead achieves stable fixation through the provision of a flexible member moveable between a first position and a second position and a pair of fixation members connected to said flexible member, each fixation member having a distal end and a root, said distal end and root defining a plane said through which said stab-in electrode crosses.

Abstract: A medical electrical pulse generator having a switchable connector assembly. The connector assembly is provided with connector bores, each intended to receive a medical electrical lead or a sealing plug, if no lead is provided. Electrical connectors located within the bores are arranged such that interconnection of the pulse generator circuitry within the device and electrodes on the leads and/or housing of the device can be altered by means of connector pins located on the electrical leads or the sealing plugs, which may be employed to interconnect electrical connectors within a connector bore.

Abstract: A body implantable lead affixed with a pin or pins at its proximal end adapted to be connected to a pulse generator or signal detector with an electrode or electrodes at its distal end adapted to be placed within a body cavity or in contact with body tissue. One or more electrical conductors encased within nonconductive body compatible material electrically connects the electrode with a pin and comprises a length of resilient, single filar or multifilar coil conductor wherein the conductor is non-circular in cross section. The non-circular cross section is preferably elliptic, oval, rectangular or trapezoidal with a major dimension generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the length of coiled conductor and its minor dimension generally parallel to that axis, whereby a specific ratio of torque to bending stiffness is effected.

Abstract: A pulse routing circuit for use in conjunction with a multiple channel defibrillator. The circuit, when coupled to a multiple channel defibrillator allows for the selection of a wide variety of multiple electrode pulse regimens and waveforms, accomplished by selective interconnection of defibrillation electrodes to the pulse routing circuit. Because the circuit employs passive switching elements, such as diodes, complex switching circuitry is not required.

Abstract: A cardioversion and defibrillation lead system and a method of use of the lead system for applying energy to the heart. The lead system and method of application are designed to maximize the efficiency of electrical energy and depolarizing the cells of the heart by equalizing current distribution across the heart and concentrating current in the muscular areas of the heart. The method of use of the lead system includes properly locating the electrodes, and applying pulses to the electrodes in one of several pulse regimes.

Abstract: A defibrillation electrode fabricated by molding an elongated electrode core taking the form of two parallel segments each defining several sigmoidal curves, sliding a conductor coil over and along the electrode core, coupling the electrode coil to an elongated conductor, molding bridging members to connect the two segments of the core at spaced locations along the segments and molding a transition member to the electrode assembly at the junction of the electrode coil and the elongated conductor. The resulting electrode is particularly adapted for use as an epicardial defibrillation electrode, and displays flexibility within the plane defined by the electrode body as well as for twisting and other deformation to follow the changing surface of the heart during contractions.

Abstract: A cardioversion and defibrillation lead system and a method of use of the lead system for applying energy to the heart. The lead system and method of application are designed to maximize the efficiency of electrical energy and depolarizing the cells of the heart by equalizing current distribution across the heart and concentrating current in the muscular areas of the heart. The method of use of the lead system includes properly locating the electrodes, and applying pulses to the electrodes in one of several pulse regimes.

Abstract: A cardioversion and defibrillation lead system and a method of use of the lead system for applying energy to the heart. The lead system and method of application are designed to maximize the efficiency of electrical energy and depolarizing the cells of the heart by equalizing current distribution across the heart and concentrating current in the muscular areas of the heart. The method of use of the lead system includes properly locating the electrodes, and applying pulses to the electrodes in one of several pulse regimes.

Abstract: A cardioversion and defibrillation lead system and a method of use of the lead system for applying energy to the heart. The lead system and method of application are designed to maximize the efficiency of electrical energy and depolarizing the cells of the heart by equalizing current distribution across the heart and concentrating current in the muscular areas of the heart. The method of use of the lead system includes properly locating the electrodes, and applying pulses to the electrodes in one of several pulse regimes.