Abstract: A helical fixation element of an implantable medical lead. The fixation element has at least one blood drainage channel running along at least a tissue-penetrating portion of the helix windings of the fixation element. The channel guides, during penetration and anchoring of the fixation element and the lead in a tissue, blood leaking from the tissue away from the vicinity of the fixation element, thereby reducing the size of a fibrin clot formed around the fixation element. The capture threshold for stimulating the tissue is therefore reduced.

Abstract: A medical implantable lead, which is adapted to be attached with a distal end to tissue inside a human or animal body, has a flexible sleeve in the distal end that protrudes a distance in an axial direction from the rest of the lead. When in a desired position, a force acting in an axial direction on the flexible sleeve will bring the sleeve to be compressed in the axial direction such that the surface area of the distal end will be enlarged. The flexible sleeve is formed with axial slots from an unbroken ring segment in an outermost distal edge of the sleeve and a distance in the proximal direction such that flexible segments are formed in the sleeve, wherein a force acting in an axial direction on the flexible sleeve will bring the sleeve to be compressed in the axial direction by folding outwards of the flexible segments.

Abstract: In a medical implantable lead and method for monitoring and/or controlling of an organ inside a human or animal body, the lead has a helix in a distal end that is rotatable by an inner wire coil (5), which is disposed inside of and along essentially the entire length of the lead and which is rotatably arranged in relation to an outer sleeve, such that the helix is attachable to the organ by being screwed into the tissue inside the body. The lead is provided with a connector in a proximal end which is connectible to an electronic device for monitoring or controlling the function of the organ, the connector having a connector pin that is in engagement with the wire coil and that is rotatably journaled inside a connector housing. During mounting of the medical implantable lead to the organ, the inner wire coil is rotatable by rotating the connector pin in relation to the connector housing with a suitable tool. The connector is provided with a friction brake between the connector pin and the connector housing.

Abstract: In a medical implantable lead for monitoring and/or controlling of an organ inside a human or animal body, and a method for the manufacture thereof, two electrical conductors are each connected to a respective electrode for receiving or transmitting of electrical signals from or to the organ, and a tubular header is provided in a distal end of the lead. One electrode is positioned in the outermost distal end of the lead whereas the other is a ring electrode that is mounted by a coupling on the outside of the header. The coupling and the header are integrated into one unitary piece of an electrically insulating material having a coupling portion, and the coupling portion is adapted configured for quick fixing connection of the ring electrode to the header.

Abstract: A medical implantable lead has a proximal end and a distal end, and a flexible flat elongate body. The elongate body includes a layer of strip conductors extending along the length of the flat elongate body, a top insulating layer, and a bottom insulating layer. The layer of strip conductors is sealingly enclosed between the top and bottom insulating layers, and at least a major portion of the flat elongate body is twisted into an elongate helical portion having a central cavity extending longitudinally of the helical portion.

Abstract: A medical implantable lead of the type being adapted to be implanted into a human or animal body and attached with a distal end to an organ inside the body, has a helix of a helical wire in the distal end which is adapted to be screwed into the organ. In addition to the first helix, the lead also has a second helix of a helical wire, the second helix having the same diameter, the same pitch and being intertwined with the helical wire of the first helix and which, upon rotation of the first helix, will be rotated and screwed into the tissue. The first helix is electrically non-conductive whereas the second helix is electrically conductive. In a method for attaching a medical implantable lead to an organ inside a human or animal body, such a medical lead is employed and fixed to tissue in vivo.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing active fixation helices for the stimulation and/or sensing of organs, an elongated helix precursor body is produced that has one or more electrical conductors surrounded by an insulating material. This helix precursor body is then shaped into a helix, material removed in predetermined places in order to expose the areas of the conductors which will be used as electrodes in the final product. The body is coated with an electrically conducting biocompatible coating which is subsequently partly removed in continuous loops from around the electrodes in order to electrically insulate them from each other and to ensure that the electrically active areas of the electrodes are of the correct dimensions.

Abstract: In an implantable medical device and a manufacturing method therefore, the implantable medical device has at least an electronics module and a battery module, each contributing functionally as well as to the shape of the outer enclosure of the implantable medical device. Different modules, and different versions of different modules, can be combined in different combinations, according to a device specification, to form different medical devices.

Abstract: For attaching a cardiac stimulator lead at a desired position inside a heart, the stimulator lead having a flexible tube from which a helix is extendible at a distal end thereof by a screw rotating motion and having a proximal end interconnected with an operating member, a tool has a flexible portion wire with an engagement formation at a distal end thereof that mates with a complimentary engagement formation at a proximal end of the operating member. The tool has a handle containing an internal cavity, with a proximal portion of the torsion wire being rotationally rotated by the handle in the internal cavity, and a resilient yoke is formed in the internal cavity, with at least a part of the yoke engaging grooves and ridges in a circumferential boundary surface of the internal cavity.

Abstract: In an implantable medical device and a manufacturing method therefore, the implantable medical device has at least an electronics module and a battery module, each contributing functionally as well as to the shape of the outer enclosure of the implantable medical device. Different modules, and different versions of different modules, can be combined in different combinations, according to a device specification, to form different medical devices.

Abstract: In an implantable medical device and a manufacturing method therefore, the implantable medical device has at least an electronics module and a battery module, each contributing functionally as well as to the shape of the outer enclosure of the implantable medical device. Different modules, and different versions of different modules, can be combined in different combinations, according to a device specification, to form different medical devices.

Abstract: In an implantable medical device and a manufacturing method therefore, the implantable medical device has at least an electronics module and a battery module, each contributing functionally as well as to the shape of the outer enclosure of the implantable medical device. Different modules, and different versions of different modules, can be combined in different combinations, according to a device specification, to form different medical devices.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement for an implantable defibrillator/cardioverter has two intravascular electrodes, one of which is disposed in the inferior vena cava. The arrangement has a third, planar electrode, which is disposed outside of the heart. Placement of one of the intravascular electrodes in the inferior vena cava, instead of in the right ventricle as in known systems, achieves a high utilization of the defibrillation energy without the presence of an endocardial electrode.

Abstract: An implantable arrangement for effecting in vivo defibrillation or cardioversion of a heart has a first electrode disposed in the inferior vena cava, a second electrode disposed in the right ventricle, and a planar electrode disposed outside of the heart. Pulse generating means are provided which simultaneously charge all three electrodes with pulses. An optimally low energy for successfully achieving defibrillation is thereby achieved.