Abstract: An implantable pacing lead system for pacing a patient's heart, including a delivery catheter and a lead delivered by the delivery catheter. The lead takes the form of a single non-diverging filament having a proximal end and a distal end and carries an electrode mounted to a distal portion of the lead body. An active fixation device is mounted fixedly to, and extends laterally from, the lead body proximal to and longitudinally spaced from the electrode. During advancement of the lead through the vasculature the active fixation device is located within the delivery catheter. At the point of desired location of the active fixation device, it is advanced out of the delivery catheter and engaged with heart tissue. The lead body has greater torsional rigidity proximal to the active fixation device than distal to the active fixation device.

Abstract: A cardiac pacing lead for pacing the atria and a method of its use. The lead is provided with a mechanism for maintaining an atrial pacing electrode adjacent stimulable tissue in a patient's superior vena cava and an additional electrode locatable in the right ventricle or elsewhere when the atrial electrode is so located. One such mechanism for maintaining the atrial electrode's position may be a lead body displaying pre-formed laterally extending curves sized to span a patient's superior vena cava, with the atrial electrode located thereon.

Abstract: An implantable electrical lead having an elongated insulative lead body carrying a cardioversion/defibrillation electrode and a sensing electrode spaced from the cardioversion/defibrillation electrode. A diode enclosure is mounted in the lead body between the cardioversion/defibrillation electrode and the sensing electrode, the diode enclosure having conductive end walls and including a diode or diodes therein coupled between the conductive end walls. The enclosure is also provided with a feedthrough tube extending through said enclosure, passing through the end walls. An elongated conductor extends through the lead body and through the feedthrough tube of said enclosure and is electrically coupled to the sensing electrode. The cardioversion/defibrillation electrode and the sensing electrode are each electrically coupled to one of the conductive end walls of the diode enclosure.

Abstract: A method of producing a lead which is isodiametric or nearly so over the region in which an elongated coiled electrode is located and which can optionally be manufactured starting from a single extruded tubular lead body of constant diameter and the lead so produced. Rather than molding the electrode into the surface of the lead or machining the electrode so that it is flush with the surface of the lead, the present invention instead employs an extruded, multiple lumen lead body of circular cross-section which has material cut away or otherwise removed in one or more regions spaced from one another around the lead body and extending longitudinally along the region of the lead body where the coil electrode is to be located or a lead body which is so molded. The areas in which material is removed or is absent are preferably located in regions where the lead body wall is thickest, for example between adjacent lumens.

Abstract: A cardiac pacing lead for pacing the atria and a method of its use. The lead is provided with a mechanism for maintaining an atrial pacing electrode adjacent stimulable tissue in a patient's superior vena cava and an additional electrode locatable in the right ventricle or elsewhere when the atrial electrode is so located. One such mechanism for maintaing the atrial electrode's position may be a lead body displaying pre-formed laterally extending curves sized to span a patient's superior vena cava, with the atrial electrode located thereon.

Abstract: An arrangement for introducing and implanting the electrode(s) of an endocardial implantable cardiac lead at a cardiac implantation site within a heart chamber or vessel. An elongated guide body formed of flexible material and extending between a guide body proximal end and a guide body distal end is advanced transvenously to position the guide body distal end in relation to the cardiac implantation site. A guide body tracking mechanism is coupled with the lead distal end for receiving and slidingly engaging the guide body to allow the cardiac lead to be advanced along the guide body until the electrode is positioned at the cardiac implantation site. Pusher mechanism formed of an elongated pusher body of flexible material extends between a pusher body proximal end and a pusher body distal end and has a cardiac lead engaging mechanism for engaging the cardiac lead at or adjacent the distal lead end.

Abstract: A cardioversion/defibrillation lead, and method of manufacture thereof, for location in a human heart. An elongated lead body having an insulating outer sheath extends between proximal and distal ends thereof, and an elongated defibrillation conductor within the lead body extends from a connector at the proximal end to a distal end at a predetermined location along the lead body length. A spiral band defibrillation electrode extends in spiral turns around the exterior of the insulating outer sheath for a pre-determined defibrillation electrode length. The defibrillation electrode is fabricated of a single tube of body compatible, electrically conductive material having first and second tube ends and an inside diameter selected to fit over the outer sheath and the internally disposed defibrillation lead conductor.

Abstract: A cardioversion/defibrillation lead and method of implantation thereof for location in a human heart of the type comprising an elongated lead body having proximal and distal end sections and having a looped intermediate section. The proximal and distal end sections of the lead have generally straight configurations, and the intermediate section is constructed such that when the distal section is located at the apex of the right ventricle of the heart, the loop of the intermediate section is located in the outflow tract of the heart. One or more elongated defibrillation electrode(s) extends along the intermediate section of the lead body.