Abstract: A method of fabricating a radiopaque dissolvable covering for a member on an implantable lead, including the steps of mixing a radiopaque material with a solvent to form a paste, applying the paste to the member and allowing the paste to harden. The lead preferably is provided with a drug incorporated therein which is subject to degradation at high temperature, located adjacent to the member, and the applying step preferably takes place at about room temperature. The member to which the paste is applied may be an active fixation device such as a barb or a helix or may be a deployable member such as a tine or an electrode bearing member.

Abstract: A lead and a lead system for dispersion of a cardioversion/defibrillation electrode formed of one or more small diameter defibrillation electrodes in a heart chamber and for attaching a pace/sense electrode in contact with the heart. The small diameter defibrillation electrode or electrodes extend distally from the distal end of the lead body. If multiple electrodes are employed, they are preferably biased to spread apart when unrestrained and have a cross-section size small enough to be inserted into interstices of trabeculae in the ventricular chamber. The distal ends of the defibrillation electrodes may be free of attachment to the lead body or may be attached by a weak bond to the distal portion of the lead.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preferential glow discharge at the inside diameter (ID) of plastic tubing, particularly very small tubing.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead system featuring a medical electrical lead which features an improved anchoring sleeve. The medical electrical lead and anchoring sleeve cooperate with an introducer sheath to minimize the flow of blood through the introducer sheath during the introduction of the lead into the blood vessel. Specifically, the lead has a connector assembly, a conductor attached thereto and an electrode electrically coupled to the conductor. An insulative sleeve covers the conductor and an annular anchoring sleeve is movably positioned over the insulative sleeve. The anchoring sleeve has a distal end and a proximal end and further has an annular or circumferential seal within the inner lumen at the distal end. The distal end is further tapered along its exterior portion. The taper of the distal end cooperates with an introducer sheath to provide a seal between the outer portion of the anchoring sleeve and the introducer sheath.

Abstract: An introducer system featuring a sheath which is kink resistant. Such a sheath thereby permits the sheath to be dramatically bent while still allowing a lead to be introduced therethrough. The kink resistance is provided by a composite construction of the sheath. In particular the sheath has at least one integral reinforcing fiber. In the preferred embodiment the reinforcing fibers are provided in a braided configuration. The sheath preferably is constructed to be readily split using a slitter in a longitudinal direction and thus permits the sheath to be removed from the venous system without having to withdrawn the sheath over an end of the pacemaker lead. In an alternate embodiment the sheath is scored, including the reinforcing fibers, to thereby permit the sheath to be longitudinally split apart and removed from the venous system without having to withdrawn the sheath over an end of the pacemaker lead.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preferential glow discharge at the inside diameter (ID) of plastic tubing, particularly very small tubing.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preferential glow discharge at the inside diameter (ID) of plastic tubing, particularly very small tubing.

Abstract: A body-implantable transvenous endocardial lead for an implantable medical device system. The lead includes inner and outer coiled conductors each surrounded by a flexible elongate sheath such that the inner conductor is rotatable within the outer sheath. An electrode assembly disposed at the distal end of the lead includes a distally-projecting fixation helix. A sliding member in the electrode assembly includes a helix-engaging collar for engaging the coils of the fixation helix, such that when the helix is rotated in a first direction with respect to the sliding member, it is advanced in a screw-like fashion distally forward with respect to the sliding member, and when the helix is rotated in a second direction with respect to the sliding member, it is retracted proximally backward with respect to the sliding member. A tip electrode is disposed on the distal end of the sliding member.

Abstract: An implantable electrode type lead assembly of the flexible type which is particularly adapted for implantation in the cardiac tissue for applications such as use with a pacemaker. The lead assembly has an electrode head which includes a fixation spiral for implantation into tissue. The spiral or rotation action of the electrode head is controlled by means of an elongated torsionally wound electrical coil conductor, the coil extending through the lead from the proximal to the distal end thereof and carried within a silicone tube which is co-extensive therewith, the tube having been especially treated to modify the slip characteristics of the internal diameter (ID) thereof for high efficiency torque transfer.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead and method of manufacturing such a lead for use in cardiac pacing, the lead having a distal end having an active fixation device such as a helix electrode (46) having a distal end and a proximal end, the tissue securing means extending from the lead body distal end, an electrical conductor (15) extending between the proximal and distal ends of the lead, and a longitudinally extending torque indicator (35 or 36) affixed to the lead body (10) proximal to the tissue securing means, the torque indicator (35 or 36) showing rotational movement or distortion of the torque indicator (35 or 36) under fluoroscopy.

Abstract: A body-implantable lead (10) for use in cardiac pacing having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end connected to a medical device, an active fixation device such as a helix electrode (330) extending from the lead body distal end, an electrical conductor (15) extending between the proximal and distal ends of the lead, and a longitudinally extending radiopaque marker (35 or 335) affixed to the lead body (10) proximal to the helix electrode, the radiopaque marker (35 or 335) showing rotational movement or distortion of the radiopaque marker (35 or 335) under fluoroscopy.

Abstract: A body-implantable lead (10) for use in cardiac pacing having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end connected to a medical device, an active fixation device such as a helix electrode (330) having a distal end and a proximal end, the tissue securing means extending from the lead body distal end, an electrical conductor (15) extending between the proximal and distal ends of the lead, and a longitudinally extending radiopaque marker (35 or 335) affixed to the lead body (10) proximal to the tissue securing means, the radiopaque marker (35 or 335) showing rotational movement or distortion of the radiopaque marker (35 or 335) under fluoroscopy.