Abstract: Temporary touch-proof connectors are disclosed that include an insulating body defining a passageway having an open leading end configured to receive a connector element of a medical lead and an enclosed trailing end shielding the connector element.

Abstract: A deep brain stimulation lead includes a distal end portion having a length of greater than 5 millimeters and a largest outer diametric dimension of 1 millimeter or less. One or more electrodes are disposed at the distal end portion. The lead also includes a proximal end portion having one or more contacts electrically coupled to the one or more electrodes. The lead further includes a mid portion between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The mid portion has an outer diametric dimension of greater than 1 millimeter and is configured and positioned to be located in proximity to a burr hole of a skull of patient when the distal end portion is positioned in the brain of the patient at a location to deliver a signal to a target region.

Abstract: A deep brain stimulation lead includes a distal end portion having a length of greater than 5 millimeters and a largest outer diametric dimension of 1 millimeter or less. One or more electrodes are disposed at the distal end portion. The lead also includes a proximal end portion having one or more contacts electrically coupled to the one or more electrodes. The lead further includes a mid portion between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The mid portion has an outer diametric dimension of greater than 1 millimeter and is configured and positioned to be located in proximity to a burr hole of a skull of patient when the distal end portion is positioned in the brain of the patient at a location to deliver a signal to a target region.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure pertain to methods and apparatus for providing positive fixation of medical components to a portion of incised pericardial tissue. Accordingly, a resilient member protrudes through an incision in the pericardium and produces a positive biasing force to adjacent pericardial tissue against a side surface of an attached body structure. The resilient member can optionally be compressed during implantation and then relaxed to thereafter provide the positive biasing force. Diverse medical components can thus be safely and reliably chronically deployed into the pericardial space, including without limitation, cardiac sensing/pacing, defibrillation and/or cardioversion electrodes, mechanical and/or metabolic sensors and the like. More than one body structure can be linked to a single medical electrical lead and the medical components can couple within and/or upon a portion of the body structure, the resilient member, and the lead in myriad configurations.

Abstract: Temporary touch-proof connectors are disclosed that include an insulating body defining a passageway having an open leading end configured to receive a connector element of a medical lead and an enclosed trailing end shielding the connector element.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure pertain to methods and apparatus for providing positive fixation of medical components to a portion of incised pericardial tissue. Accordingly, a resilient member protrudes through an incision in the pericardium and produces a positive biasing force to adjacent pericardial tissue against a side surface of an attached body structure. The resilient member can optionally be compressed during implantation and then relaxed to thereafter provide the positive biasing force. Diverse medical components can thus be safely and reliably chronically deployed into the pericardial space, including without limitation, cardiac sensing/pacing, defibrillation and/or cardioversion electrodes, mechanical and/or metabolic sensors and the like. More than one body structure can be linked to a single medical electrical lead and the medical components can couple within and/or upon a portion of the body structure, the resilient member, and the lead in myriad configurations.

Abstract: A neural lead and method of treating neurological disorders by stimulation of the cerebral cortex of the brain is provided. The lead is designed for reduction of strain between the lead body and the lead paddle caused by the position of the lead body above the cranium and the lead paddle beneath the cranium. The lead is also designed to include a two dimensional chronic electrode array for better stimulation coverage of the target area of the cerebral cortex. A method of treating a neurological disorder by stimulating the cerebral cortex is also presented.

Abstract: A neural lead and method of treating neurological disorders by stimulation of the cerebral cortex of the brain is provided. The lead is designed for reduction of strain between the lead body and the lead paddle caused by the position of the lead body above the cranium and the lead paddle beneath the cranium. The lead is also designed to include a two dimensional chronic electrode array for better stimulation coverage of the target area of the cerebral cortex. A method of treating a neurological disorder by stimulating the cerebral cortex is also presented.

Abstract: A system for providing electrical stimulation to the trigeminal nerve through a lead. The lead features a lead body, a coupling for connecting a lead into a medical stimulator and a distal electrode assembly. The electrode assembly features a pair of oppositely disposed curved semi-circular cuffs disposed to conform a lumen therethrough. The ends of each cuff are mounted into a resilient hinge disposed upon the distal end of the lead body. The hinge biases the cuffs towards one another in such a manner that the lumen is maintained patent such that the nerve will remain therein. The hinge is further designed so as to be easily opened so as to spread the cuffs apart. Hinge opening is accomplished through a specialized implant tool, the implant tool being a generally cylindrical tube designed to meet about the lead body. A divergence in the lead body near the hinge permits the implant tool to engage the lead body in that section and thus forces the cuffs apart.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead and introducer system. The lead is a single pass, dual chamber lead, which features in one embodiment an atrial tine. The introducer system is particularly designed for introduction of single pass, dual chamber lead which has an atrial tine. The introducer system facilitates the introduction of a such lead into a patient's heart while safeguarding the tine from damage due to kinking during lead positioning. The lead is a single pass lead which features an atrial tine while the introducer system is particularly designed for introduction of a such lead into a patient's heart so as to safeguard the tine from damage due to kinking during lead positioning. The lead is designed so as to electrically couple both the atrium and the ventricular chambers of the heart. The lead generally features several lengths each having differing stiffness as well as a pre-formed bend. The lead also features a atrial tine having an electrode at the tip.

Abstract: A transvenous lead specifically designed for multi-chamber electrical stimulation or sensing. In a first embodiment the lead features one or more electrodes for communication with the right atrium as well as one or more electrodes for communication with either or both of the left chambers of the heart. The lead further features structures to simultaneously bring the first electrode into contact with a first chamber, such as the right atrial wall and the second electrode into contact with a particular portion of the coronary sinus wall, to electrically access the left atrium or ventricle. In the preferred embodiment the lead body has varying flex or stiffness characteristics along its length between each of the electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a single pass medical electrical lead. In one embodiment, the lead features a pair of bipolar electrodes positioned along the lead body so that they are positioned in the ventricle and atrium respectively when the lead is implanted. The lead body features a 90 degree bent reinforced section. The bend has a radius of curvature approximately 13 mm and begins approximately 90 mm from the distal end. This curved section is approximately 40 mm in length when straightened. The ventricular electrodes are positioned approximately 28 mm apart. The bend has at least one tine extending therefrom, an electrode is mounted on the tine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a single pass medical electrical lead. In one embodiment, the lead feature a pair of bipolar electrodes positioned along the lead body so that they are positioned in the ventricle and atrium respectively when the lead is implanted. The lead body features a 90 degree bent reinforced section. The bend has a radius of curvature approximately 13 mm and begins approximately 90 mm from the distal end. This curved section is approximately 40 mm in length when straightened. The ventricular electrodes are positioned approximately 28 mm apart. The ventricular cathode electrode is positioned at the distal end of the lead. The atrial electrodes are positioned approximately between 5-35 mm apart, with 28 mm preferred. The atrial anode is located at a position immediately adjacent and proximal the 90 degree bent reinforced section.

Abstract: A transvenous lead specifically designed for coronary sinus implantation. In the preferred embodiment the lead features an electrode which is eccentricity placed along the lead body. Disposed on the opposite side of the lead body is a tine-like member to push or maintain the electrode into contact with the vessel wall. Because the electrode and tine-like member do not entirely block the cross sectional area of the vessel, blood flow through the vessel is not impeded. Through such a configuration electrical stimulation with the tissue comprising the left side of the heart may be accomplished. In alternative embodiments other mechanisms besides tine-like member are used to maintain the contact of the electrode with the vessel wall. In a still further alternative embodiment the eccentricity disposed electrode is positioned instead upon the tip of the tine.

Abstract: A single pass medical electrical lead featuring an atrial wall wedging mechanism which will permit the atrial electrodes to be positioned directly against the right atrial wall. In the preferred embodiment the atrial wall wedging mechanism comprises an extendible finger which may be used to wedge the lead body in the region where the inferior vena cava enters the right atrium and the right atrium empties through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. Through such wedging, the atrial electrodes may be caused to be positioned directly against the right atrium wall without causing excessive pressure to be communicated to the distal tip of the lead.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead which may be introduced using a thorascope and is used to electrically stimulate tissue, such as a heart. The lead of the present invention has a "ski-shaped" needle, a strand of between 1-5 cm. attached to the needle, an electrode attached to the strand, and an insulated lead body attached to the electrode. In addition, a test wire is also attached to the needle to permit the electrical characteristics of tissue to be ascertained before the lead is fully inserted. In an alternate embodiment the strand may feature a fixation helix. Due to the shape of the needle and the relatively short strand, the lead is particularly suitable for implantation to a heart using minimally invasive techniques, such as through a trocar.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a single pass medical electrical lead. In one embodiment, the lead features a pair of bipolar electrodes positioned along the lead body so that they are positioned in the ventricle and atrium respectively when the lead is implanted. The lead body features a 90 degree bent reinforced section. The bend has a radius of curvature approximately 13 mm and begins approximately 90 mm from the distal end. This curved section is approximately 40 mm in length when straightened. The ventricular electrodes are positioned approximately 28 mm apart. The ventricular cathode electrode is positioned at the distal end of the lead. The atrial electrodes are positioned approximately between 5-35 mm apart, with 28 mm preferred. The atrial anode is located at a position immediately adjacent and proximal the 90 degree bent reinforced section.