Abstract: A distal electrode of an electrode assembly, for example, employed by an implantable medical electrical lead device, extends distally from a distal terminal end of a sleeve of the assembly; and the sleeve, which defines a longitudinal axis of the assembly, includes a plurality of channels that provide fluid communication between a steroid eluting component, which is seated in an external groove of the sleeve, and an area distal to the distal terminal end of the sleeve. Floors of some or all of the sleeve channels may angle toward the longitudinal axis of the assembly, being closer to the axis at the distal terminal end of the sleeve. The assembly may further include a proximal electrode secured to a proximal end of the sleeve, wherein the proximal electrode may be mounted around an outer surface of the sleeve or coupled to the sleeve by means of a coupling component.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) can include a cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Various portions of the IMD, such as a device body, a lead body, or a lead tip, can be provided to reduce or dissipate a current and heat induced by various external environmental factors. According to various embodiments, features can be incorporated into the lead body, the lead tip, or the IMD body to reduce the creation of an induced current, or dissipate the induced current and heat created due to an induced current in the lead. For example, an IMD can include at least one outer conductive member and a first electrode. The first electrode can be in electrical communication with the at least one outer conductive member. The first electrode can dissipate a current induced in the at least one outer conductive member via a first portion of the anatomical structure.

Abstract: A tool for inserting an elongate medical device into a body includes a track (e.g. defined by inner surfaces of a base wall and opposing sidewalls), and a deployment assembly for moving the device along the track. A retainer of the assembly, fitted in sliding engagement within the track and limited to move only along a portion of the track, grips a first portion of a proximal length of the device; a slider of the assembly, also fitted in sliding engagement within the track and detachably joined to the retainer, receives a second portion of the device proximal length. When detached from the retainer, the slider is free to move along a distal length of the device, and can be moved along a distal segment of the track to disengage therefrom by separating from a distal terminal end of the guide.

Abstract: An extra-cardiovascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is configured to induce a tachyarrhythmia by charging a high voltage capacitor to a voltage amplitude and delivering a series of pulses to a patient's heart by discharging the capacitor via an extra-cardiovascular electrode vector. Delivering the series of pulses includes recharging the high-voltage capacitor during an inter-pulse interval between consecutive pulses of the series of pulses.

Abstract: A method and system for employing a medical device is disclosed. The medical device includes a housing, a processor disposed within the housing, a connector module, and a medical electrical epicardial lead connected to the processor through the connector module. The epicardial lead is used to sense a cardiac signal from tissue of a patient. The lead comprises an insulative lead body that includes a proximal end and a distal end, at least one conductor disposed in the lead body, and a side helical fixation member, disposed a distance from the distal end, the side helical fixation member. The side helical fixation member comprises a set of windings configured to wrap around the lead body circumference. The side helical fixation member includes a distal tip comprising a sharpened elongated flat free end that is perpendicular to the lead body and angled toward an inside of the set of windings.

Abstract: Implantable medical electrical leads having electrodes arranged such that a defibrillation coil electrode and a pace/sense electrode(s) are concurrently positioned substantially over the ventricle when implanted as described. The leads include an elongated lead body having a distal portion and a proximal end, a connector at the proximal end of the lead body, a defibrillation electrode located along the distal portion of the lead body, wherein the defibrillation electrode includes a first electrode segment and a second electrode segment proximal to the first electrode segment by a distance. The leads may include at least one pace/sense electrode, which in some instances, is located between the first defibrillation electrode segment and the second defibrillation electrode segment.

Abstract: A method and system for employing a medical device is disclosed. The medical device includes a housing, a processor disposed within the housing, a connector module, and a medical electrical epicardial lead connected to the processor through the connector module. The epicardial lead is used to sense a cardiac signal from tissue of a patient. The lead comprises an insulative lead body that includes a proximal end and a distal end, at least one conductor disposed in the lead body, and a side helical fixation member, disposed a distance from the distal end, the side helical fixation member. The side helical fixation member comprises a set of windings configured to wrap around the lead body circumference. The side helical fixation member includes a distal tip comprising a sharpened elongated flat free end that is perpendicular to the lead body and angled toward an inside of the set of windings.

Abstract: An extra-cardiovascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) having a low voltage therapy module and a high voltage therapy module is configured to select, by a control module of the ICD, a pacing output configuration from at least a low-voltage pacing output configuration of the low voltage therapy module and a high-voltage pacing output configuration of the high voltage therapy module. The high voltage therapy module includes a high voltage capacitor having a first capacitance and the low voltage therapy module includes a plurality of low voltage capacitors each having up to a second capacitance that is less than the first capacitance. The ICD control module controls a respective one of the low voltage therapy module or the high voltage therapy module to deliver extra-cardiovascular pacing pulses in the selected pacing output configuration via extra-cardiovascular electrodes coupled to the ICD.

Abstract: An extra-cardiovascular medical device is configured to select a capacitor configuration from a capacitor array and deliver a low voltage, pacing pulse by discharging the selected capacitor configuration across an extra-cardiovascular pacing electrode vector. In some examples, the medical device is configured to determine the capacitor configuration based on a measured impedance of the extra-cardiovascular pacing electrode vector.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for delivering cardiac pacing pulses to a patient's heart by a cardiac system, such as an extra-cardiovascular ICD system. An ICD operating according to the techniques disclosed herein delivers cardiac pacing pulses using high-voltage therapy circuitry typically configured for delivering high-voltage cardioversion/defibrillation shocks. The ICD delivers the high-voltage pacing therapy via extra-cardiovascular electrodes, such as one or more extra-cardiovascular electrodes carried by a medical electrical lead extending from the ICD and/or the housing of the ICD.

Abstract: An extra-cardiovascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is configured to induce a tachyarrhythmia by charging a high voltage capacitor to a voltage amplitude and delivering a series of pulses to a patient's heart by discharging the capacitor via an extra-cardiovascular electrode vector. Delivering the series of pulses includes recharging the high-voltage capacitor during an inter-pulse interval between consecutive pulses of the series of pulses.

Abstract: Implantable medical electrical leads having electrodes arranged such that a defibrillation coil electrode and a pace/sense electrode(s) are concurrently positioned substantially over the ventricle when implanted as described. The leads include an elongated lead body having a distal portion and a proximal end, a connector at the proximal end of the lead body, a defibrillation electrode located along the distal portion of the lead body, wherein the defibrillation electrode includes a first electrode segment and a second electrode segment proximal to the first electrode segment by a distance. The leads may include at least one pace/sense electrode, which in some instances, is located between the first defibrillation electrode segment and the second defibrillation electrode segment.

Abstract: A tool for inserting an elongate medical device into a body includes a track (e.g. defined by inner surfaces of a base wall and opposing sidewalls), and a deployment assembly for moving the device along the track. A retainer of the assembly, fitted in sliding engagement within the track and limited to move only along a portion of the track, grips a first portion of a proximal length of the device; a slider of the assembly, also fitted in sliding engagement within the track and detachably joined to the retainer, receives a second portion of the device proximal length. When detached from the retainer, the slider is free to move along a distal length of the device, and can be moved along a distal segment of the track to disengage therefrom by separating from a distal terminal end of the guide.

Abstract: An extra-cardiovascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) having a low voltage therapy module and a high voltage therapy module is configured to select, by a control module of the ICD, a pacing output configuration from at least a low-voltage pacing output configuration of the low voltage therapy module and a high-voltage pacing output configuration of the high voltage therapy module. The high voltage therapy module includes a high voltage capacitor having a first capacitance and the low voltage therapy module includes a plurality of low voltage capacitors each having up to a second capacitance that is less than the first capacitance. The ICD control module controls a respective one of the low voltage therapy module or the high voltage therapy module to deliver extra-cardiovascular pacing pulses in the selected pacing output configuration via extra-cardiovascular electrodes coupled to the ICD.

Abstract: An extra-cardiovascular medical device is configured to select a capacitor configuration from a capacitor array and deliver a low voltage, pacing pulse by discharging the selected capacitor configuration across an extra-cardiovascular pacing electrode vector. In some examples, the medical device is configured to determine the capacitor configuration based on a measured impedance of the extra-cardiovascular pacing electrode vector.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrical lead having an elongate lead body having a proximal end and a distal portion. A plurality of defibrillation electrodes coupled to the distal portion is included, the plurality of electrodes being transitionable from a first configuration in which the defibrillation electrodes are biased in an expanded configuration to a second configuration in which the defibrillation electrodes are in a collapsed configuration. A joint slideably disposed around a portion of the lead body is included, at least a portion of the plurality of defibrillation electrodes being coupled to the joint.

Abstract: An extra-cardiovascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is configured to induce a tachyarrhythmia by charging a high voltage capacitor to a voltage amplitude and delivering a series of pulses to a patient's heart by discharging the capacitor via an extra-cardiovascular electrode vector. Delivering the series of pulses includes recharging the high-voltage capacitor during an inter-pulse interval between consecutive pulses of the series of pulses.

Abstract: The disclosure describes implantable medical systems that respond to occurrence of a lead-related condition by utilizing an elongated coil electrode in defining an alternative pacing therapy vector to maintain optimal drain of an IMD power supply. An exemplary system includes a medical electrical lead having an elongated electrode and an improved sensing and therapy delivery circuitry to provide the alternative pacing therapy vector responsive to the lead-related conditions. The system reconfigures the operation of the sensing and therapy delivery circuitry triggered by the switch to the alternative pacing therapy vector.

Abstract: Implantable medical electrical leads having electrodes arranged such that a defibrillation coil electrode and a pace/sense electrode(s) are concurrently positioned substantially over the ventricle when implanted as described. The leads include an elongated lead body having a distal portion and a proximal end, a connector at the proximal end of the lead body, a defibrillation electrode located along the distal portion of the lead body, wherein the defibrillation electrode includes a first electrode segment and a second electrode segment proximal to the first electrode segment by a distance. The leads may include at least one pace/sense electrode, which in some instances, is located between the first defibrillation electrode segment and the second defibrillation electrode segment.

Abstract: A conductor for connecting an electrode near a distal end of a medical electrical lead with an implantable medical device connected with a proximal end of the medical electrical lead includes a multi-filar coil wrapped around a central core. The multi-filar coil has an inductance of approximately 0.5 ?H or greater, and the central core is non-conducting and provides reinforcement for the multi-filar coil.