Abstract: A biostable polymeric substrate of an implantable medical device unit includes a demand-release bioactive composition including one or more bioactive agents covalently bound to surface-modifying end groups of the substrate. Certain cellular activities, in proximity to the polymeric substrate, release substances reacting with the end groups such that the end groups release the one or more bioactive agents, which modify the certain cellular activities.

Abstract: The present invention provides delivery systems for and methods of delivering conduction protein genetic material to cardiac cells in localized areas of the heart to improve the conductance therein. More specifically, there is provided a system and method for delivering connexin proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding connexin proteins to a site in the heart which has been determined by mapping procedures to have a conduction disturbance. For cases where conduction is impaired, selected genetic material is delivered to cells around the disturbance area, in order to enhance overall conductivity patterns; in other cases, genetic material is selected to slow conduction in affected areas, so as to prevent, e.g., brady-tachy syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention provides delivery systems for and methods of delivering ion channel protein genetic material to cardiac cells in areas adjacent to where an electrode is to be positioned in a patient's heart to improve or correct the signal to noise ratio of cardiac signals, such as the P-wave. More specifically, there is provided a system and method for delivering sodium ion channel proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding sodium ion channel proteins to a site in the heart adjacent to an electrode to increase the expression of the same, thereby enhancing the cardiac signal amplitude and enabling improved sensing of cardiac signals by an implanted pacemaker.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead is provided with a distal guidewire extension. A flexible distal guidewire extension, which may take the form of a helically wound wire around a tapered core, extends from the distal end of a lead body. The extension may exit a tip electrode, which may be a generally rounded electrode or an active fixation electrode. The distal guidewire extension is preferably insulated, but may be provided with an uninsulated segment for serving as an electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides delivery systems for and methods of delivering conduction protein genetic material to cardiac cells in localized areas of the heart to improve the conductance therein. More specifically, there is provided a system and method for delivering connexin proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding connexin proteins to a site in the heart which has been determined by mapping procedures to have a conduction disturbance. For cases where conduction is impaired, selected genetic material is delivered to cells around the disturbance area, in order to enhance overall conductivity patterns; in other cases, genetic material is selected to slow conduction in affected areas, so as to prevent, e.g., brady-tachy syndrome.

Abstract: An implantable medical device has a medical unit, such as a pacemaker lead, and a casing at least partially enclosing the medical unit. The casing is formed of a base polymer such as a polyurethane, a polyurethane copolymer, a fluoropolymer and a polyolefin or a silicone rubber. The casing has biologically active agents covalently bonded to the base polymer. The biologically active agents can be attached to the base polymer as surface active end groups. As an alternative, the biologically active may be attached to a backbone the base polymer. As yet a further alternative, the biologically active agents may be attached to surface modifying end groups, which are in turn attached to the base polymer. Examples of suitable biologically active agents are microbial peptide agents, detergents, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cations, amine-containing organosilicones, diphosphonates, fatty acids and fatty acid salts.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, perhaps a pacemaker lead, has a medical unit and a casing at least partially enclosing the medical unit. The casing is formed of a base polymer having surface modifying pendant groups formed of an acrylamide polymer or an acrylamide copolymer, perhaps polyisopropyl acrylamide. The base polymer may be a polyurethane, polyimide, fluoropolymer or polyolefin, for example.

Abstract: The present invention provides delivery systems for and methods of delivering ion channel protein genetic material to cardiac cells in areas adjacent to where an electrode is to be positioned in a patient's heart to improve or correct the signal to noise ratio of cardiac signals, such as the P-wave. More specifically, there is provided a system and method for delivering sodium ion channel proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding sodium ion channel proteins to a site in the heart adjacent to an electrode to increase the expression of the same, thereby enhancing the cardiac signal amplitude and enabling improved sensing of cardiac signals by an implanted pacemaker.

Abstract: Delivery systems for and methods of delivering ion channel protein genetic material to cardiac cells in areas adjacent to where an electrode is to be positioned in a patient's heart to improve or correct the signal to noise ratio of cardiac signals, such as the P-wave, is described herein. More specifically, there is provided a system and method for delivering sodium ion channel proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding sodium ion channel proteins to a site in the heart adjacent to an electrode to increase the expression of the same, thereby enhancing the cardiac signal amplitude and enabling improved sensing of cardiac signals by an implanted pacemaker.

Abstract: The present invention provides delivery systems for and methods of delivering ion channel protein genetic material to cardiac cells in areas adjacent to where an electrode is to be positioned in a patient's heart to improve or correct the signal to noise ratio of cardiac signals, such as the P-wave. More specifically, there is provided a system and method for delivering sodium ion channel proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding sodium ion channel proteins to a site in the heart adjacent to an electrode to increase the expression of the same, thereby enhancing the cardiac signal amplitude and enabling improved sensing of cardiac signals by an implanted pacemaker.

Abstract: A biostable polymeric substrate of an implantable medical device unit includes a demand-release bioactive composition including one or more bioactive agents covalently bound to surface-modifying end groups of the substrate. Certain cellular activities, in proximity to the polymeric substrate, release substances reacting with the end groups such that the end groups release the one or more bioactive agents, which modify the certain cellular activities.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead is provided with a distal guidewire extension. A flexible distal guidewire extension, which may take the form of a helically wound wire around a tapered core, extends from the distal end of a lead body. The extension may exit a tip electrode, which may be a generally rounded electrode or an active fixation electrode. The distal guidewire extension is preferably insulated, but may be provided with an uninsulated segment for serving as an electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides delivery systems for and methods of delivering ion channel protein genetic material to cardiac cells in areas adjacent to where an electrode is to be positioned in a patient's heart to improve or correct the signal to noise ratio of cardiac signals, such as the P-wave. More specifically, there is provided a system and method for delivering sodium ion channel proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding sodium ion channel proteins to a site in the heart adjacent to an electrode to increase the expression of the same, thereby enhancing the cardiac signal amplitude and enabling improved sensing of cardiac signals by an implanted pacemaker.

Abstract: An implantable medical device has a medical unit, such as a pacemaker lead, and a casing at least partially enclosing the medical unit. The casing is formed of a base polymer such as a polyurethane, a polyurethane copolymer, a fluoropolymer and a polyolefin or a silicone rubber. The casing has biologically active agents covalently bonded to the base polymer. The biologically active agents can be attached to the base polymer as surface active end groups. As an alternative, the biologically active may be attached to a backbone the base polymer. As yet a further alternative, the biologically active agents may be attached to surface modifying end groups, which are in turn attached to the base polymer. Examples of suitable biologically active agents are microbial peptide agents, detergents, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cations, amine-containing organosilicones, diphosphonates, fatty acids and fatty acid salts.

Abstract: The present invention provides delivery systems for and methods of delivering ion channel protein genetic material to cardiac cells in areas adjacent to where an electrode is to be positioned in a patient's heart to improve or correct the signal to noise ratio of cardiac signals, such as the P-wave. More specifically, there is provided a system and method for delivering sodium ion channel proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding sodium ion channel proteins to a site in the heart adjacent to an electrode to increase the expression of the same, thereby enhancing the cardiac signal amplitude and enabling improved sensing of cardiac signals by an implanted pacemaker.

Abstract: Delivery systems for and methods of delivering ion channel protein genetic material to cardiac cells in areas adjacent to where an electrode is to be positioned in a patient's heart to improve or correct the signal to noise ratio of cardiac signals, such as the P-wave, is described herein. More specifically, there is provided a system and method for delivering sodium ion channel proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding sodium ion channel proteins to a site in the heart adjacent to an electrode to increase the expression of the same, thereby enhancing the cardiac signal amplitude and enabling improved sensing of cardiac signals by an implanted pacemaker.

Abstract: The present invention provides delivery systems for and methods of delivering ion channel protein genetic material to cardiac cells in areas adjacent to where an electrode is to be positioned in a patient's heart to improve or correct the signal to noise ratio of cardiac signals, such as the P-wave. More specifically, there is provided a system and method for delivering sodium ion channel proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding sodium ion channel proteins to a site in the heart adjacent to an electrode to increase the expression of the same, thereby enhancing the cardiac signal amplitude and enabling improved sensing of cardiac signals by an implanted pacemaker.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, perhaps a pacemaker lead, has a medical unit and a casing at least partially enclosing the medical unit. The casing is formed of a base polymer having surface modifying pendant groups formed of an acrylamide polymer or an acrylamide copolymer, perhaps polyisopropyl acrylamide. The base polymer may be a polyurethane, polyimide, fluoropolymer or polyolefin, for example.

Abstract: A medical lead having a diameter of no greater than 3 French and employing an insulation material that is substantially stiffer than would normally be employed in the context of a permanently implantable cardiac pacing lead is disclosed. A material having a Young's modulus of at least 25,000 pounds per square inch such as Pellethane 2363-75D, or an even stiffer polymer, is used to provide a lead body that does not exhibit a whip-like effect in response to such movement as would occur during a heart beat. In order to prevent the increased stiffness of the lead body from increasing the possibility that the distal lead tip will perforate the heart tissue, the lead is provided with a distal surface that is not reduced in size. This surface reduces the pressure exerted by the distal lead tip upon body tissue to no greater than 3.6 pounds per square inch.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a medical electrical lead having active fixation which features an improved fixation helix. In particular the present invention is a medical electrical lead having a fixation helix which features microgrooves. The microgrooves are dimensioned so as to minimize the foreign body response of the tissue into which the helix is implanted. The microgrooves preferably consist of a series of grooves parallel to the longitudinal axis of the helix, each groove has a depth of between approximately 0.1 to 30 microns, preferably between approximately 0.1 and 3, with 1 micron preferred; a width of between approximately 0.1 to 30 microns, preferably between approximately 0.1 and 3, with 1 micron preferred; and is spaced apart from every other groove by a distance of between approximately 0.1 to 30 microns, preferably between approximately 0.1 and 3, with 1 micron preferred.