Abstract: A lead body adapted for in-vivo implantation in a living subject includes a proximal end configured for electrical and mechanical connection to a therapy or a monitoring device, and a distal end. A collar is disposed at the distal end of the lead body, and a casing is disposed within the collar and is translatable along a central longitudinal axis of the collar. At least one electrical conductor extends substantially the length of the lead body, and an electronic component is disposed within the casing and conductively coupled to the electrical conductor. An electrode is mechanically connected to the casing and conductively coupled to the electronic component. A seal is disposed between the casing assembly and the collar to prevent passage of ionic fluid into the lead body through its distal end.

Abstract: A lead body adapted for in-vivo implantation in a living subject includes a proximal end configured for electrical and mechanical connection to a therapy or a monitoring device, and a distal end. A collar is disposed at the distal end of the lead body, and a casing is disposed within the collar and is translatable along a central longitudinal axis of the collar. At least one electrical conductor extends substantially the length of the lead body, and an electronic component is disposed within the casing and conductively coupled to the electrical conductor. An electrode is mechanically connected to the casing and conductively coupled to the electronic component. A seal is disposed between the casing assembly and the collar to prevent passage of ionic fluid into the lead body through its distal end.

Abstract: The method of generating a homograft includes preparing a prosthesis composed of a tubular substrate. The substrate is open at each end to permit blood to flow along the length of the substrate inside wall. The substrate is selected to have at least one thrombogenic surface or a thrombogenic mesh material supported by the substrate. The prosthesis is inserted in the lumen of a blood vessel, either a vein or artery, of a living body and anchored in the lumen of the vessel to prevent the substrate from moving along the vessel with the blood flow. The body generates collagenous growth on the thrombogenic surface of the substrate while the substrate is freely suspended in the blood flow of the vessel. The substrate is then removed from the vessel after which a tubular homograft of collagenous tissue is removed from the substrate.

Abstract: A cardiac sensing lead which is placed and used on the epicardial surface of the heart. The lead consists of a screw-in electrode which acts as the cathode and a mesh of platinum/iridium that acts as the anode. The electrodes' effective distances from each other are no longer than lcm. The screw-in electrode also acts as the anchor in the tissue and is implanted with a lead applicator. The cardiac sensing lead senses cardiac signals for the application for diagnostic purposes such as for an internal defibrillator or any other external or internal medical devices.

Abstract: A lead insertion tool of a molded polymer including a main body and two movable fingers extending at an angle from one end of the main body for holding a cardiac sensing lead or cardiac pacing lead. The inner ends of the fingers are configured to grasp a pacing lead electrode body. A tubular member with finger tabs extends down and over the main body and down and over the extending fingers so that the ends of the fingers movingly engage about the pacing lead body when the tubular member is slid down the body of the lead insertion tool. The inner ends of the extending fingers can be geometrically configured to accept any particular pacing lead body member supporting the electrodes of the pacing lead.

Abstract: A medical instrument holder, also referred to as a packaging clip, for supporting disposable medical instruments for cardiology and cardiovascular procedures. The medical instrument holder is a one-piece polymer molded member, including a frictionally engaged tube, in the holder for supporting a guidewire. The holder also includes at least one slot for a medical instrument in the form of a partial circle to prevent axial movement, and preferably two slots for frictionally engaging a dilator and a hemostasis valve introducer, or a needle and a tear-away sheath/dilator assembly. The holder can also include at least one hole for receiving a medical instrument. The one-piece molded member, including the frictionally engaged guidewire tube, provides for disposable packaging in a Tyvek/Mylar pouch which lends itself conveniently to ETO sterilization. The holder, along with its instruments, is compact and minimal in length because the guidewire is looped about itself.

Abstract: This invention is described and illustrated in connection with the generation of a homograft composed of collagenous tissue generated on a prosthetic device. A tubular substrate having generally cylindrical outside and inside surfaces is suspended in the lumen of a blood vessel of a living body. The tubular substrate is open at each end to permit blood to flow over both the inside and outside surfaces. One of the surfaces of the substrate is a thrombogenic surface or supports a thrombogenic mesh material to promote growth of a tube of collagenous tissue suitable for use as a surgical graft. The substrate is suspended in the blood flow of a blood vessel by an anchor which permits the substrate to freely move within the lumen of the vessel but is anchored by the tether to prevent the substrate from moving along the vessel in the direction of blood flow. The collagenous tissue growth about the substrate is generally tubular and suitable for use as a surgical graft.

Abstract: An introducer tool for a screw-in endocardial lead includes a plunger housing which is connected to the connector of the endocardial lead. The plunger housing is shiftable in a locking tube between retracted and advanced positions. A stylet is insertable through the plunger housing and through the lumen of the lead for shifting the helix assembly of the lead from a retracted to an advanced position. Clamping elements on the plunger housing engage the stylet to clamp the latter against movement when the plunger housing is in the advanced position. The lead may then be rotated relative to the introducer tool about the stylet to fix the helix assembly into the endocardium.

Abstract: A stylet and introducer tool is used with a screw-in electrode which is adapted to attach living tissue to a pulse generator, such as a pacemaker or the like. The stylet has a knob at its proximal end and extends through the introducer tool and coiled conductor of the lead to engage a helix assembly positioned within the hollow electrode of the lead. The stylet is adapted to urge the helix of the helix assembly into contact with the living tissue. The knob of the stylet engages in a slot in the introducer tool to lock the stylet to the introducer tool and permit the screw-in lead to be rotated around the stylet so that the helix will penetrate the living tissue.

Abstract: An intravascular endocardial lead includes an electrically insulated flexible conductor having a lumen throughout the length thereof. A hollow connector element is connected to the proximal end of the conductor, and a hollow elongate electrode is connected to the distal end thereof. A helix assembly is positioned in the electrode and is longitudinally but non-rotatably movable from a retracted position to an extended position. A stylet is inserted through the lumen of the conductor to move the helix assembly to the extended position. Thereafter, when the conductor, electrode and helix assembly are rotated as a unit about the stylet, the helix assembly will penetrate and positively attach the lead to the body tissue and urge the electrode into engagement with the latter.

Abstract: A body-implantable, intravascular lead affixed with a pin or pins at its proximal end adapted to be connected to pulse generator and with an electrode or electrodes at its distal end adapted to be securely and permanently attached to a body organ through endothelial tissue. An electrode in the form of a rigid, electrically conductive helix with a sharp tip at the distal end of the lead is adapted to be screwed through endothelial tissue into the body organ. To allow the insertion and guidance of the lead through a body vessel without snagging the body vessel, the lead carries a sleeve shrouding the helix during introduction of the lead that retracts as the corkscrew electrode is screwed into the organ and re-expands to cover the helix in the event that the helix is unscrewed and withdrawn.