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 Fluid from the reserve may be drawn into the lumen of the introducer as the tunneling tool is withdrawn therefrom.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wherein fluid that fills the chamber is drawn distally into the lumen of the introducer, as the tunneling tool is withdrawn therefrom.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 delivery tool of a system for deploying medical diagnostics and/or therapy includes a deployment member and a sheath. An elastic cantilever element secured to a tubular sidewall of the deployment member, in proximity to a distal opening of a lumen formed by the sidewall, is spring biased to extend outward from the sidewall. When the cantilever element is received within the sheath, a sheath sidewall pushes the cantilever element inward, against the spring bias thereof, and a radius of curvature of the cantilever element approximately conforms to that of an outer surface of the deployment member sidewall. A helical track for receiving passage of a medical device helix fixation element therein may extend around a perimeter of the deployment member lumen, wherein a distal terminal end of the track is located in close proximity to the distal opening and generally opposite a free end of the cantilever element.

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 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.

Abstract: Implantable medical leads include a conductive interconnect within a high frequency shunt that dissipates high frequency current. The conductive interconnect provides an elasticity that allows a drive shaft to rotate and translate during implantation of the lead while the conductive interconnect maintains physical contact with the drive shaft and with a shunt electrode before, during, and after the implantation. The conductive interconnect may provide a low friction that presents a smooth rotation and translation of the drive shaft to provide an acceptable tactile feedback during implantation. The conductive interconnect also provides a high electrical conductivity so that a substantial amount of high frequency current flows through the conductive interconnect to the shunt electrode. The conductive interconnect may include a polymer filler that partially penetrates into the interstitial spaces of the conductive interconnect to assist in maintaining the physical integrity of the conductive interconnect.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead may include a conductive electrode shaft located near the distal end within the lead body, a coiled conductor extending within the lead body from the proximal end and coupled to a first end of the conductive electrode shaft, and an electrode located near the distal end of the lead body and coupled to an opposite end of the conductive electrode shaft as the coiled conductor. The lead may also include an energy dissipating structure located near the distal end of the lead body and defining a lumen through which a portion of the coiled conductor extends. The energy dissipating structure may include a region having one or more protrusions extending toward a central axis of the lumen to push the coiled conductor off center relative to the central axis of the lumen.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a steerable elongated medical device includes an outer tube extending between an outer tube proximal segment and an outer tube distal segment, and having an outer tube wall forming an outer tube lumen and an elongated outer tube slot through the outer tube wall to the outer tube lumen. The elongated outer tube slot has a first portion and a second portion and is formed between an outer tube slot proximal end and an outer tube slot distal end and extends axially along the outer tube distal segment through an outer tube slot length to define a cutaway portion of the outer tube. A reinforcing sleeve is positioned within the outer tube lumen and extends between a reinforcing sleeve proximal end and a reinforcing sleeve distal end.

Abstract: An electromagnetic receiver assembly is included in a navigation element for a therapy delivery system. If the system is modular, the navigation element may be an insertable module thereof and/or include a lumen to receive another insertable module.

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 injection system includes an elongate injection apparatus and an actuator apparatus. The actuator apparatus includes a fitting for coupling the actuator apparatus to a delivery catheter and a reversible gripping means to grip the injection apparatus; the gripping means is included in a plunger that is slideably engaged with the fitting and directs the injection apparatus through a fitting lumen and through a catheter lumen, when the fitting is coupled to the catheter.

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 electrical lead may include a conductive electrode shaft located near the distal end within the lead body, a coiled conductor extending within the lead body from the proximal end and coupled to a first end of the conductive electrode shaft, and an electrode located near the distal end of the lead body and coupled to an opposite end of the conductive electrode shaft as the coiled conductor. The lead may also include an energy dissipating structure located near the distal end of the lead body and defining a lumen through which a portion of the coiled conductor extends. The energy dissipating structure may include a region having one or more protrusions extending toward a central axis of the lumen to push the coiled conductor off center relative to the central axis of the lumen.

Abstract: Hermetically sealed assemblies, for example, that include IC chips, are configured for incorporation within a connector terminal of an implantable medical electrical lead, preferably within a contact member of the terminal. An assembly may include two feedthrough subassemblies, welded to either end of the contact member, to form an hermetic capsule, in which an IC chip is enclosed, and a tubular member, which allows a lumen to extend therethrough, along a length of the terminal. A multi-electrode lead may include multiplexer circuitry, preferably a switch matrix element and a communications, control and power supply element that are electrically coupled to the contact member and to another contact member of the terminal. Each pair of switch matrix switches allows for any two of the electrodes to be selected, in order to deliver a stimulation vector, via stimulation pulses from a device/pulse generator, to which the connector terminal is connected.

Abstract: A medical injection system includes an elongate injection apparatus and an actuator apparatus. The actuator apparatus includes a fitting for coupling the actuator apparatus to a delivery catheter and a reversible gripping means to grip the injection apparatus; the gripping means is included in a plunger that is slideably engaged with the fitting and directs the injection apparatus through a fitting lumen and through a catheter lumen, when the fitting is coupled to the catheter.

Abstract: A medical fluid delivery system is provided including a steerable, guide catheter, a delivery catheter adapted for deployment at a targeted tissue site using the steerable guide catheter, the delivery catheter including a proximal port, a distal port, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ports; a distal fixation element coupled to the delivery catheter so as to position the distal port adjacent the targeted tissue site; and a flexible hollow needle adapted to be advanced through the delivery catheter lumen, the flexible needle including a tissue-piercing distal tip for extending from the distal port of the delivery catheter for advancement into the targeted tissue site and a proximal end for extending from the proximal port of the delivery catheter through which a medical fluid is delivered.

Abstract: Hermetically sealed assemblies, for example, that include IC chips, are configured for incorporation within a connector terminal of an implantable medical electrical lead, preferably within a contact member of the terminal. An assembly may include two feedthrough subassemblies, welded to either end of the contact member, to form an hermetic capsule, in which an IC chip is enclosed, and a tubular member, which allows a lumen to extend therethrough, along a length of the terminal. A multi-electrode lead may include multiplexer circuitry, preferably a switch matrix element and a communications, control and power supply element that are electrically coupled to the contact member and to another contact member of the terminal. Each pair of switch matrix switches allows for any two of the electrodes to be selected, in order to deliver a stimulation vector, via stimulation pulses from a device/pulse generator, to which the connector terminal is connected.

Abstract: Hermetically sealed assemblies, for example, that include IC chips, are configured for incorporation within a connector terminal of an implantable medical electrical lead, preferably within a contact member of the terminal. An assembly may include two feedthrough subassemblies, welded to either end of the contact member, to form an hermetic capsule, in which an IC chip is enclosed, and a tubular member, which allows a lumen to extend therethrough, along a length of the terminal. A multi-electrode lead may include multiplexer circuitry, preferably a switch matrix element and a communications, control and power supply element that are electrically coupled to the contact member and to another contact member of the terminal. Each pair of switch matrix switches allows for any two of the electrodes to be selected, in order to deliver a stimulation vector, via stimulation pulses from a device/pulse generator, to which the connector terminal is connected.

Abstract: Bilumen catheters and methods of using same for facilitating implantation of cardiac leads for applying electrical stimulation to and/or sensing electrical activity of the heart through one or more electrode positioned at an implantation site within a heart chamber or cardiac vessel adjacent a heart chamber, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for introducing such a cardiac lead having low torqueability and pushability through a tortuous pathway to enable attachment of the cardiac lead at the implantation site employing a bilumen guide catheter are disclosed. The bilumen catheter body includes a relatively large diameter delivery lumen to introduce a small diameter cardiac lead and a small diameter guide lumen to receive a stylet or guidewire to locate the guide catheter body distal end at the implantation site. The small diameter lumen within a small diameter guide tube extends distally from the delivery exit port of the delivery lumen.

Abstract: An implantable lead including a lead body including an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one electrode; an electrically insulating member that extends axially over a first portion of the outer surface of the lead body between the proximal end and distal end, the electrically insulating member defining at least one aperture that exposes a first portion of the at least one electrode when in a first position over the lead body; and a reinforcement member formed at least partially of a different material than the insulating member and coupled to the insulating member, the reinforcement member extending axially over the outer surface of the lead body between the insulating member and proximal end.

Abstract: A medical fluid delivery system is provided including a steerable, guide catheter, a delivery catheter adapted for deployment at a targeted tissue site using the steerable guide catheter, the delivery catheter including a proximal port, a distal port, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ports; a distal fixation element coupled to the delivery catheter so as to position the distal port adjacent the targeted tissue site; and a flexible hollow needle adapted to be advanced through the delivery catheter lumen, the flexible needle including a tissue-piercing distal tip for extending from the distal port of the delivery catheter for advancement into the targeted tissue site and a proximal end for extending from the proximal port of the delivery catheter through which a medical fluid is delivered.