Abstract: A system and method of implanting pacing lead in a patient's heart. The system may include a catheter configured to by inserted through the coronary sinus ostium such that the distal end region of the catheter is positioned past the anterolateral vein and proximate at least one septal perforating vein. The catheter is configured to inject contrast proximate the septal perforating vein to identify an implant region for a pacing lead. Further, a controller is configured to deliver pacing therapy to the implant region.

Abstract: A reservoir of a system for deploying an implantable lead to an extravascular location delivers a flow of fluid through a lumen of one or both of a tunneling tool and an introducer of the system. In some cases, the tunneling tool includes a pressure sensor assembly for monitoring a change in a pressure of the flow through the lumen thereof. Alternately, or in addition, a flow-controlled passageway, through which the flow of fluid from the reservoir is delivered to the lumen of the introducer, includes a compliant chamber to hold a reserve of the fluid. Fluid from the reserve may be drawn into the lumen of the introducer as the tunneling tool is withdrawn therefrom. Alternately, the introducer may include a chamber located between two seals, wherein fluid that fills the chamber is drawn distally into the lumen of the introducer, as the tunneling tool is withdrawn therefrom.

Abstract: A medical device including an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A plurality of active electrodes is coupled to the distal portion of the elongate body and being configured to electrically couple to a source of pulsed electric field energy. At least one passive electrode is coupled to the elongate body and is not configured to electrically couple to the source of pulsed electric field energy, the at least one passive electrode being configured to passively extend or focus an electric field generated by the plurality of active electrodes.

Abstract: An improved assembly for securing an implantable medical device for retrieval from an implant site includes a plurality of snares, wherein distal openings of a first snare carrier lumen and a second snare carrier lumen have a pre-set offset established therebetween. First and second snare shafts, to which first and second snare loops are coupled, respectively, extend within the corresponding snare carrier lumens such that each loop is located in proximity to the corresponding distal opening of the lumen. The pre-set offset allows an operator to simultaneously position the snare loops around the device; and, when the operator retracts the snare shafts to collapse the snare loops until the loops fit snuggly around the device, the pre-set offset can help to align the device for retrieval.

Abstract: Methods and systems for positioning a leadless pacing device (LPD) in cardiac tissue are disclosed. A delivery device is employed that comprises a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therebetween sized to receive the LPD. The LPD has a leadlet extending therefrom that includes a means to fixate the leadlet to tissue. The delivery device comprises an introducer to introduce the LPD into the lumen of the delivery device. The LPD is loaded in the distal end of the lumen of the delivery device. The leadlet extends proximally from the LPD while the fixation means extends distally toward the LPD. A LPD mover is configured to advance the LPD out of the delivery device. A leadlet mover is configured to advance the leadlet out of the lumen delivery device and cause the leadlet to engage with cardiac tissue.

Abstract: A system and method of implanting pacing lead in a patient's heart. The system may include a catheter configured to by inserted through the coronary sinus ostium such that the distal end region of the catheter is positioned past the anterolateral vein and proximate at least one septal perforating vein. The catheter is configured to inject contrast proximate the septal perforating vein to identify an implant region for a pacing lead. Further, a controller is configured to deliver pacing therapy to the implant region.

Abstract: Methods and systems for positioning a leadless pacing device (LPD) in cardiac tissue are disclosed. A delivery device is employed that comprises a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therebetween sized to receive the LPD. The LPD has a leadlet extending therefrom that includes a means to fixate the leadlet to tissue. The delivery device comprises an introducer to introduce the LPD into the lumen of the delivery device. The LPD is loaded in the distal end of the lumen of the delivery device. The leadlet extends proximally from the LPD while the fixation means extends distally toward the LPD. A LPD mover is configured to advance the LPD out of the delivery device. A leadlet mover is configured to advance the leadlet out of the lumen delivery device and cause the leadlet to engage with cardiac tissue.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a molding device with conductive material for creating a catheter balloon with conductive elements, and methods and systems for manufacturing the catheter balloon with conductive elements. An exemplary method for coupling a plurality of conductive elements to an expandable element may include placing a first portion of a mold proximate a second portion of the mold to define a casting cavity. Conductive material may be deposited into the casting cavity. Polymeric material may be inserted into the casting cavity. The first portion of the mold may be secured to the second portion of the mold. The polymeric material may be expanded to place the polymeric material in contact with the conductive material.

Abstract: A medical delivery device for delivering a medical device includes a navigable elongated member, a deployment bay, and a compression mechanism. The deployment bay may be configured to house the medical device as the medical device is navigated to the target site. The deployment bay may be at a distal end of the delivery device and may include a distal opening through which the medical device may be deployed. The compression mechanism is configured to longitudinally compress in response to a predetermined force such that the elongated member and deployment bay are relatively closer together along a longitudinal axis of the delivery device.

Abstract: An elongate medical apparatus and a method for manufacturing the same. The apparatus including a base element and at least one spline. The base element and the at least one spline may include various materials to define various characteristics of the apparatus. For example, the base element may include a first material and define a lumen therein. The at least one spline may protrude from an outer surface of the base element and may include a second material. In one or more embodiments, the at least one spline may extend along a helical path.

Abstract: A tool operable with a catheter in an interventional medical system retrieves a medical device from an implant site, wherein the device includes an attachment feature that forms an annular recess to be engaged by a lasso of the tool for snaring the device, and a distal-most sidewall of the catheter defines a receptacle into which the snared device is retrieved. A guide of the tool includes a sidewall defining a lumen in which the lasso extends for deployment out from a distal opening thereof, to snare and retrieve the implanted device. The sidewall establishes a radial offset between the guide lumen distal opening and the distal-most sidewall of the catheter, when the guide lumen distal opening and a distal opening of the receptacle are located in close proximity to one another, which radial offset is greater than a length of the annular recess formed by the device attachment feature.

Abstract: A medical device includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end and a braided tubular body extending coaxially with the elongated body between the proximal and distal ends. The braided tubular body includes multiple cables extending helically in opposing directions in an interwoven manner. Each cable includes multiple, electrically conductive filars. In some examples, each filar includes an electrically insulating coating or layer.

Abstract: A method for implanting a medical lead. The method includes advancing a tunneling tool posteriorly proximate the caudal end of the sternum toward a first location. The tunneling tool is advanced superiorly underneath the sternum through the anterior mediastinum from the first location to a second location cranial to the first location. A guidewire is advanced from the first location to the second location. A medical lead is slid along at least a portion of the guidewire, the medical lead at least substantially spanning the distance between the first location and the second location.

Abstract: A method for implanting a medical lead. The method includes advancing a tunneling tool posteriorly proximate the caudal end of the sternum toward a first location. The tunneling tool is advanced superiorly underneath the sternum through the anterior mediastinum from the first location to a second location cranial to the first location. A guidewire is advanced from the first location to the second location. A medical lead is slid along at least a portion of the guidewire, the medical lead at least substantially spanning the distance between the first location and the second location.

Abstract: A reservoir of a system for deploying an implantable lead to an extravascular location delivers a flow of fluid through a lumen of one or both of a tunneling tool and an introducer of the system. In some cases, the tunneling tool includes a pressure sensor assembly for monitoring a change in a pressure of the flow through the lumen thereof Alternately, or in addition, a flow-controlled passageway, through which the flow of fluid from the reservoir is delivered to the lumen of the introducer, includes a compliant chamber to hold a reserve of the fluid. Fluid from the reserve may be drawn into the lumen of the introducer as the tunneling tool is withdrawn therefrom. Alternately, the introducer may include a chamber located between two seals, wherein fluid that fills the chamber is drawn distally into the lumen of the introducer, as the tunneling tool is withdrawn therefrom.

Abstract: A reservoir of a system for deploying an implantable lead to an extravascular location delivers a flow of fluid through a lumen of one or both of a tunneling tool and an introducer of the system. In some cases, the tunneling tool includes a pressure sensor assembly for monitoring a change in a pressure of the flow through the lumen thereof. Alternately, or in addition, a flow-controlled passageway, through which the flow of fluid from the reservoir is delivered to the lumen of the introducer, includes a compliant chamber to hold a reserve of the fluid. Fluid from the reserve may be drawn into the lumen of the introducer as the tunneling tool is withdrawn therefrom. Alternately, the introducer may include a chamber located between two seals, wherein fluid that fills the chamber is drawn distally into the lumen of the introducer, as the tunneling tool is withdrawn therefrom.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes ventricular and atrial portions, and a flexible leadlet that extends therebetween. An open channel of the atrial portion, formed along a core thereof, is sized to receive the leadlet therein, when the leadlet is folded over on itself. An interventional medical system includes the device and a delivery tool; a tubular sidewall of the tool defines a lumen and has a tether extending therein. A slot formed in the sidewall extends proximally from an open end thereof, coincident with a distal opening of the lumen. When the atrial portion is contained within the lumen, a segment of the leadlet extends alongside the atrial portion; another segment of the leadlet, being folded over on itself, proximal to the atrial portion, has the tether engaged therewith. The slot may allow passage of the leadlet therethrough, when the atrial portion is positioned for deployment through the distal opening.

Abstract: An improved system and method for placing implantable medical devices (IMDs) such as leads within the coronary sinus and branch veins is disclosed. In one embodiment, a slittable delivery sheath and a method of using the sheath are provided. The sheath includes a slittable hub, and a substantially straight body defining an inner lumen. The body comprises a shaft section and a distal section that is distal to, and softer than, the shaft section. A slittable braid extends adjacent to at least a portion of one of the shaft section and the distal section. In one embodiment of the invention, the sheath further includes a transition section that is distal to the shaft section, and proximal to the distal section. The transition section is softer than the shaft section, but stiffer than the distal section.

Abstract: A medical delivery device for delivering a medical device includes a navigable elongated member, a deployment bay, and a compression mechanism. The deployment bay may be configured to house the medical device as the medical device is navigated to the target site. The deployment bay may be at a distal end of the delivery device and may include a distal opening through which the medical device may be deployed. The compression mechanism is configured to longitudinally compress in response to a predetermined force such that the elongated member and deployment bay are relatively closer together along a longitudinal axis of the delivery device.

Abstract: A method and device for implanting a medical lead. The device includes an elongate shaft defining a major longitudinal axis and including a proximal end and a distal end. A necked portion coupled to and extending from the distal end is included, the necked portion defines a first thickness and a substantially planar surface, the necked portion being at least resiliently movable in a direction normal to the major longitudinal axis. A tip disposed at the distal end of the necked portion is included, the tip defining a second thickness greater than the first thickness.