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 pacing lead having a lead body configured into a pre-formed J-shape. The lead includes a pacing electrode coupled to an intermediate portion of the lead body and located distally from a bottom of the pre-formed J-shape. The lead is adapted to be placed within a heart in a J-shaped configuration with the electrode positioned proximate a ventricular septum or a right ventricular outflow tract such that at least a portion of the distal end of the lead body is located within a pulmonary artery. In one embodiment, the distal end of the lead is configured to be passively fixated within the pulmonary artery. Another aspect includes a lead body wherein a section of the intermediate portion of the lead body is less stiff than adjacent sections of the lead body. The lead includes a pacing electrode coupled to the intermediate portion of the lead body and located distally from the less stiff section.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead for transvascularly stimulating a nerve, muscle or other tissue from an adjacent vessel is described. The lead includes an expandable distal portion having one or more spirals for securing and stabilizing the lead within the vessel.

Abstract: A pacing lead having a lead body configured into a pre-formed J-shape. The lead includes a pacing electrode coupled to an intermediate portion of the lead body and located distally from a bottom of the pre-formed J-shape. The lead is adapted to be placed within a heart in a J-shaped configuration with the electrode positioned proximate a ventricular septum or a right ventricular outflow tract such that at least a portion of the distal end of the lead body is located within a pulmonary artery. In one embodiment, the distal end of the lead is configured to be passively fixated within the pulmonary artery. Another aspect includes a lead body wherein a section of the intermediate portion of the lead body is less stiff than adjacent sections of the lead body. The lead includes a pacing electrode coupled to the intermediate portion of the lead body and located distally from the less stiff section.

Abstract: A lead assembly includes a ring component having mechanical coupling features, and at least one polymer component mechanically coupled with the mechanical coupling features of the ring component. Elongate tubing is disposed over the polymer component and is secured with the polymer component.

Abstract: An implantable lead comprises a lead body extending from a lead proximal end portion to a lead distal end portion. In one example, the lead body may comprise a heat-formed bias portion. In another example, an outer insulator is fused to the lead body. In such an example, a lead body fusable plug may be disposed distal to at least one conductor. In another example, the lead comprises an inner boot and an outer boot fused to one another. In another example, the lead includes an atraumatic tip fused to the lead distal end portion. In another example, the lead body is reducable in size using heat shrink tubing. In yet another example, two or more lead sections may be interconnected using an outer insulator fused to the respective lead bodies. In a further example, a stiffener member is fused to the lead body adjacent a lead component.

Abstract: One or more multi-electrode lead couplable with a medical device, such as an implantable medical device. Each lead includes a lead body extending from a lead proximal end portion to a lead distal end portion. The proximal end portion includes a connector assembly for connection to the medical device. An intermediate or distal end portion includes two or more electrodes and a drug region shared by at least two of the electrodes. In one example, the drug region is positioned between two or more electrodes such each of the electrodes may benefit from a drug in the region. In another example, the medical device comprises circuitry adapted to sense a heart in a first instance and stimulate the heart in a second instance using a selected electrode configuration. A method of forming a lead having a drug region shared by more than one electrode is also discussed.

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 cardiac lead adapted for fixation at least partially within a cardiac vessel. The lead includes, in one embodiment, an elongate lead body defining a proximal region and a distal region including a distal end region having at least one electrode and a distal tip. The distal end region is configured such that the electrode and the distal tip can be implanted in the cardiac vessel. Stiffening structures in the distal region of the lead are adapted to stiffen selected portions of the lead for fixation of the electrode within the cardiac vessel. In some embodiments, the stiffening structures include an implantable member adapted to be implanted in a lumen of the lead. In other embodiments, the stiffening structures include a sheath adapted to be deployed over the lead body. In still other embodiments, the stiffening structures are integral to the lead and/or the lead body.

Abstract: A cardiac lead adapted for fixation at least partially within a cardiac vessel. The lead includes, in one embodiment, an elongate lead body defining a proximal region and a distal region including a distal end region having at least one electrode and a distal tip. The distal end region is configured such that the electrode and the distal tip can be implanted in the cardiac vessel. Stiffening structures in the distal region of the lead are adapted to stiffen selected portions of the lead for fixation of the electrode within the cardiac vessel. In some embodiments, the stiffening structures include an implantable member adapted to be implanted in a lumen of the lead. In other embodiments, the stiffening structures include a sheath adapted to be deployed over the lead body. In still other embodiments, the stiffening structures are integral to the lead and/or the lead body.

Abstract: A method of collecting information related to manufacture of an implantable medical device, storing the information in a radio frequency identifier (RFID) unit, updating the information stored in the RFID unit during manufacturing of the implantable medical device, and transferring the information from the RFID unit to other devices.

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 connector for connecting to an energy source such as a pulse generator for a cardiac stimulator system. The connector assembly includes a pin, at least one ring and a sleeve composed of an insulative hard polymer molded between the pin and ring such that the sleeve provides electrical insulation between the pin and ring and mechanically couples the pin and ring.

Abstract: A two-part implantable cardiac pacing lead is usable with a cardiac function management device. The lead includes an outer lead portion having a lead body and a conductive coil extending substantially from the proximal end to the distal end. The lead body defines an internal longitudinal lumen. The lead further includes a surface electrode coupled to the lead body near the distal end and a sleeve defining an internal bore. The sleeve mechanically couples to the proximal end of the lead body and is electrically insulated from the conductive coil. The lead further includes an inner lead portion having a pin adapted to mechanically engage the internal bore. The pin is adapted for electrically coupling with a longitudinally-extending conductive member sized to fit within the internal longitudinal lumen.

Abstract: A medical device for use with an implantable lead includes a force monitoring system coupled with the device. The force monitoring system monitors force placed on the medical device and/or the lead. Optionally the system compares the force with a preset limit, and notifies a user once the preset limit has been reached.

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 connector assembly of an electrophysiologial device. The connector assembly includes a substrate forming a tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end an electrical circuit formed on the substrate, such as etching or printing, where the substrate is optionally non-conductive. In another option, the connector assembly includes clad wires and/or flexible circuits within an insulated terminal structure.

Abstract: A connector for connecting to an energy source such as a pulse generator for a cardiac stimulator system. The connector assembly includes a pin, at least one ring and a sleeve composed of an insulative hard polymer molded between the pin and ring such that the sleeve provides electrical insulation between the pin and ring and mechanically couples the pin and ring.

Abstract: A medical device for use with an implantable lead includes a force monitoring system coupled with the device. The force monitoring system monitors force placed on the medical device and/or the lead. Optionally the system compares the force with a preset limit, and notifies a user once the preset limit has been reached.

Abstract: A pacing lead having a lead body configured into a pre-formed J-shape. The lead includes a pacing electrode coupled to an intermediate portion of the lead body and located distally from a bottom of the pre-formed J-shape. The lead is adapted to be placed within a heart in a J-shaped configuration with the electrode positioned proximate a ventricular septum or a right ventricular outflow tract such that at least a portion of the distal end of the lead body is located within a pulmonary artery. In one embodiment, the distal end of the lead is configured to be passively fixated within the pulmonary artery. Another aspect includes a lead body wherein a section of the intermediate portion of the lead body is less stiff than adjacent sections of the lead body. The lead includes a pacing electrode coupled to the intermediate portion of the lead body and located distally from the less stiff section.