Abstract: An apparatus for using a laser beam to remove or ablate an insulating coating from a desired segment of an insulating coating from a desired segment of an insulated conductor (wire) without damaging or causing mechanical stress to the wire. A lens can be used to focus the laser beam at a focal point and a support to locate the insulated conductor in a position between the lens and the focal point in a path of the laser bean. A reflector can be aligned with the opening so as to reflect the laser beam portion back toward the conductor. The support can include a generally planar coil guide such as a Y-shaped groove.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed by which a laser beam is used to remove or ablate the insulating coating from a desired segment of an insulated conductor without damaging or causing mechanical stress to the wire, so that the wire can be used to transmit electrical signals to an electrode in a implantable medical device. The invention can be applied to one or more conductors that are coiled coaxially and can be used to expose separate portions of two or more conductors if the insulating coatings thereon are differentiated in a way that causes the separate insulating coatings to respond differently to contact with a laser beam.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed by which a laser beam is used to remove or ablate the insulating coating from a desired segment of an insulated conductor without damaging or causing mechanical stress to the wire, so that the wire can be used to transmit electrical signals to an electrode in a implantable medical device. The invention can be applied to one or more conductors that are coiled coaxially and can be used to expose separate portions of two or more conductors if the insulating coatings thereon are differentiated in a way that causes the separate insulating coatings to respond differently to contact with a laser beam.

Abstract: An implantable endocardial lead with a retractable helix. A specialized stylet can be inserted into the lead at the proximal end and passed through the lead to the distal end. Located at the distal end of the lead is a piston supporting the helix. The piston is attached to a coiled trifilar conductor and has an electrode adjacent the helix. Immediately adjacent the piston proximally an additional first short coil of wire is interlocked between the wires of the trifilar conductor, providing a female thread within the conductor. The stylet has a second single strand short coil segment spot welded to the stylet adjacent a distal end thereof. The stylet is rotated to screw the second short coil segment on the stylet into the first short coil adjacent the piston.