Abstract: Methods and devices for interconnecting a medical lead conductor member and an electrode are provided. One device includes a medical lead having a shaft. The shaft has a conductor member extending therethrough and a ring electrode disposed along the shaft. The ring electrode has a fixation device disposed within the ring electrode, and the fixation device forms an interference fit with the conductor member, forming an electrical contact therebetween. Also provided are methods for forming an electrical interconnect between a ring electrode and a conductor member.

Abstract: An implantable lead assembly includes a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end having an intermediate portion therebetween, where the lead body includes an insulating layer. A conductor is disposed within the insulating layer and the insulating layer surrounds the conductor. An electrode is coupled to the lead body, and the electrode is in electrical communication with the conductor. At least one conductive sleeve is disposed within the insulating layer. The at least one conductive sleeve surrounds the conductor and is electrically isolated from the electrode. The at least one conductive sleeve has a first impedance value in a first condition.

Abstract: A lead body includes an electrode coupled to an intermediate portion of the lead body. A distal end of the lead includes a pre-formed, biased shape adapted to passively fixate the distal end of the lead within a pulmonary artery with the electrode positioned in the right ventricle or ventricular outflow tract. The lead body can include a preformed J-shape, with the electrode coupled to the intermediate portion of the lead body and located distally from a bottom of the pre-formed J-shape. The lead body can include a section of the intermediate portion of the lead body being less stiff than adjacent sections of the lead body with the electrode coupled to the intermediate portion of the lead body and located distally from the less stiff section.

Abstract: A lead assembly for placement in a coronary vessel of the heart, the coronary vessel having a pericardial wall portion and a myocardial wall portion. The lead assembly comprises a lead body extending from a proximal end adapted for coupling to a pulse generator to a distal end adapted for implantation in the heart, an electrode positioned at the distal end of the lead body, and a loop biasing feature located at the distal end of the lead body. The loop biasing feature includes a resilient loop positioned to bias a portion of the electrode towards the myocardial wall portion of the coronary vessel by exerting a force against the pericardial wall portion. The loop biasing feature further includes a collar for coupling the loop biasing feature to the lead body. A method of implanting the lead assembly.

Abstract: A lead assembly for an implantable medical device includes a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end. One or more connectors at the proximal end of the lead body are each adapted for connection to a pulse generator. One or more conductive elements are coupled to the one or more connectors at the proximal end and extend through the lead body to the distal end. Each of the one or more conductive elements includes an electrode coil that extends from the distal end of the lead body that is formed into a helix having a diameter greater than a diameter of the electrode coil.

Abstract: A lead includes a lead body extending from a distal end to a proximal end, and at least one conductor disposed within the lead body and extending from the distal end to the proximal end of the lead body. The lead further includes an outer terminal ring, a terminal pin, and an insulative sleeve disposed between the outer terminal ring and the terminal pin, where the insulative sleeve is coupled with the outer terminal ring with a snap-fit connection. A pin latch is disposed on an outer periphery surface of the insulative sleeve, where the pin latch is rotatable about a hinge point.

Abstract: A lead assembly includes an outer insulative body, a conductor, and at least one electrode electrically coupled with the at least one conductor. The outer insulative body extends from a proximal end to a distal end and has an intermediate portion therebetween. A flexible portion for example having a bellows portion is disposed along the lead body.

Abstract: A lead assembly includes an elongate body having a conductor electrically coupled with an electrode coupled to the elongate body. The lead assembly includes a push tube extending along at least a portion of the elongate body. A distal tip is coupled to the elongate body substantially adjacent to the distal end of the elongate body. The distal tip is sized and shaped to couple with a push tube distal end. In one option, the distal tip includes a seat to receive the push tube distal end. In another option, the seat is a side rail seat and a guide wire extends along the elongate body and is slidably coupled with the side rail seat. The lead assembly includes, optionally, an active fixation device slidably coupled with a portion of the elongate body, and the active fixation device is sized and shaped to couple with the push tube.

Abstract: A lead includes a lead body extending from a distal end to a proximal end, and at least one conductor disposed within the lead body and extending from the distal end to the proximal end of the lead body. The lead further includes an outer terminal ring, a terminal pin, and an insulative sleeve disposed between the outer terminal ring and the terminal pin, where the insulative sleeve is coupled with the outer terminal ring with a snap-fit connection. A pin latch is disposed on an outer periphery surface of the insulative sleeve, where the pin latch is rotatable about a hinge point.

Abstract: A lead assembly includes an elongate body having a conductor electrically coupled with an electrode coupled to the elongate body. The lead assembly includes a push tube extending along at least a portion of the elongate body. A distal tip is coupled to the elongate body substantially adjacent to the distal end of the elongate body. The distal tip is sized and shaped to couple with a push tube distal end. In one option, the distal tip includes a seat to receive the push tube distal end. In another option, the seat is a side rail seat and a guide wire extends along the elongate body and is slidably coupled with the side rail seat. The lead assembly includes, optionally, an active fixation device slidably coupled with a portion of the elongate body, and the active fixation device is sized and shaped to couple with the push tube.

Abstract: Adhesiveless direct bonding between polymeric tubular members assembled with an interference fit using an oxidative cold gas plasma treatment, and implantable medical leads manufactured in part using a cold gas plasma bonding process are disclosed. An illustrative method includes subjecting a number of polymeric tubular members to an oxidative cold gas plasma, creating an oxygen rich layer on each of the tubular members. The treated surfaces of the tubular members are assembled together, forming a direct bond along an overlapping region between the tubular members when in conformal contact with each other.

Abstract: Methods of implanting a two-part cardiac lead in a heart are disclosed. The two-part cardiac lead has inner and outer portions and a pin. The inner and outer lead portions are separately advanced to a location of interest within the vasculature of a patient. The pin is attached to a proximal end of the inner lead portion and can provide a connection between the inner and outer lead portions.

Abstract: Methods and devices for interconnecting a medical lead conductor member and an electrode are provided. One device includes a medical lead having a shaft. The shaft has a conductor member extending therethrough and a ring electrode disposed along the shaft. The ring electrode has a fixation device disposed within the ring electrode, and the fixation device forms an interference fit with the conductor member, forming an electrical contact therebetween. Also provided are methods for forming an electrical interconnect between a ring electrode and a conductor member.

Abstract: An implantable lead comprises a lead body extending from a lead proximal end portion to a lead distal end portion. The lead body includes one or more longitudinally extending lumens. A conductor is received in, and extends along, a lumen. In varying examples, the implantable lead further comprises a tubular electrode co-axial with, and overlying portions of, the lead body. In one example, a lumen wall is sized and shaped to urge an electrically conductive interposer coupled with the conductor toward an inner surface of the electrode. In another example, a ring member is disposed within a lumen and the conductor is drawn and coupled thereto. In yet another example, an electrically conductive connector couples a first and a second conductor via grooves or threads. In a further example, an axial support member couples a distal end electrode and the lead body. Methods associated with the foregoing are also discussed.

Abstract: A lead assembly includes a lead body and at least one cables at least partially disposed within the lead body. The cable has a non-electrode portion and an electrode portion, where the non-electrode portion extends within the lead body, and the electrode portion is external to the lead body.

Abstract: An implantable lead comprises a lead body extending from a lead proximal end portion to a lead distal end portion. The lead body includes one or more longitudinally extending lumens. A conductor is received in, and extends along, a lumen. In varying examples, the implantable lead further comprises a tubular electrode co-axial with, and overlying portions of, the lead body. In one example, a lumen wall is sized and shaped to urge an electrically conductive interposer coupled with the conductor toward an inner surface of the electrode. In another example, a ring member is disposed within a lumen and the conductor is drawn and coupled thereto. In yet another example, an electrically conductive connector couples a first and a second conductor via grooves or threads. In a further example, an axial support member couples a distal end electrode and the lead body. Methods associated with the foregoing are also discussed.

Abstract: A medical device having at least one glass coating between a first and second component. The glass coating forms a portion of a strong, hydrothermally stable joint between components or provides insulation, or tailors an impedance and/or capacitance of an electrode.

Abstract: A medical device having at least one plasma polymerized coating allowing for a first component to be coupled with a second component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring lung edema fluid status, such as monitoring the presence or absence of pulmonary edema, in a subject using information about responsive acoustic energy echoes from a lung are described. The system comprises, among other things, an implantable device including an acoustic transducer configured to emit acoustic energy to a lung and to receive one or more responsive acoustic energy echoes from a lung. In an example, the implantable device includes a cardiac function management device having an acoustic window in a body thereof. In another example, the implantable device includes one or more subcutaneous leads. An implantable or external processor circuit is configured to receive information about the acoustic energy echoes to compute and provide a lung edema fluid status indication; such information may include an increased number or special pattern of acoustic energy echoes received or a decreased time between successively received echoes.

Abstract: A lead assembly and method of forming a lead assembly is provided. Devices and methods of forming the lead assembly include a support coil. The support coil provides enhanced support and protection from lead damage and failure. A lead assembly and method of forming a lead assembly is also provided including at least one electrode. Electrodes may be incorporated into the support coil design. The lead assembly and method of forming a lead assembly may be incorporated with other medical devices such as an implantable defibrillator.