Abstract: The medical lead delivery device more easily and quickly delivers a lead to or through the coronary vein of a patient's heart. The medical lead delivery device includes an elongated body, a controller, a first and second spring, and a sleeve. The elongated body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The controller is disposed at the proximal end and provides enhanced control of the distal tip of the elongated body.

Abstract: An elongate medical electrical lead conductor includes a layer of hydrolytically stable polyimide formed thereover.

Abstract: An implantable medical device that includes a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a plurality of conductors extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the lead body, and an insulative layer formed of a hydrolytically stable polyimide material surrounding the plurality of conductors. In one embodiment, the hydrolytically stable polyimide material is an SI polyimide material.

Abstract: An elongate body of a medical electrical lead includes at least one conductor formed into a coil that includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion extends within an outer insulation sheath and the second portion extends outside the outer insulation sheath to be exposed to an environment external to the lead body as an energy dissipating shunt.

Abstract: An elongate medical electrical lead conductor includes a layer of hydrolytically stable polyimide formed thereover.

Abstract: An elongate medical electrical lead conductor includes a layer of hydrolytically stable polyimide formed thereover.

Abstract: An implantable medical device that includes a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a plurality of conductors extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the lead body, and an insulative layer formed of a hydrolytically stable polyimide material surrounding the plurality of conductors. In one embodiment, the hydrolytically stable polyimide material is an Si polyimide material.

Abstract: The medical lead delivery device more easily and quickly delivers a lead to or through the coronary vein of a patient's heart. The medical lead delivery device includes an elongated body, a controller, a first and second spring, and a sleeve. The elongated body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The controller is disposed at the proximal end and provides enhanced control of the distal tip of the elongated body.

Abstract: The medical lead delivery device combines features of a guidewire and a stylet in order to more easily and quickly deliver a lead to the left ventricle of a patient's heart. The medical lead delivery device includes an elongated body, a controller, a first and second spring, and a sleeve. The elongated body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The controller is disposed at the proximal end and provides enhanced control of the distal tip of the elongated body.

Abstract: An elongate body of a medical electrical lead includes at least one conductor formed into a coil that includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion extends within an outer insulation sheath and the second portion extends outside the outer insulation sheath to be exposed to an environment external to the lead body as an energy dissipating shunt.

Abstract: An elongate medical electrical lead conductor includes a layer of hydrolytically stable polyimide formed thereover.

Abstract: A system for delivering a medical electrical lead within a coronary venous system that includes an introducer kit for establishing venous access to the coronary venous system and a plurality of delivery sheaths, each corresponding to a desired approach to a coronary sinus of the coronary venous system and insertable within the coronary venous system through the navigation pathway. A hemostasis valve is coupled to a delivery sheath of the plurality of delivery sheaths, and a guide wire is inserted within the lead lumen, guiding delivery of the distal tip of the medical electrical lead to a target site within the coronary venous system through the hemostasis valve and the delivery sheath. Subsequent to the distal tip being delivered to the target sight, the hemostasis valve is advanced over the connector of the medical electrical lead to remove the hemostasis valve from the medical electrical lead.

Abstract: A loading device for loading a guide wire within a medical electrical lead that includes a navigation portion, having an outer portion, and extending from a front end to a back end, and having an opening formed at the back end. An engagement cavity receives and properly orientates the lead distal tip to align the lumen of the lead with the opening of the navigation portion during the loading of the guide wire within the lead. A first side wall is spaced from a second side wall to form a slot extending along the outer portion from the front end to the back end of the navigation portion, and the guide wire is advanced through the slot as the lead having the guide wire loaded therein is removed from the loading device.

Abstract: An implantable medical device that includes a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a plurality of conductors extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the lead body, and an insulative layer formed of a hydrolytically stable polyimide material surrounding the plurality of conductors. In one embodiment, the hydrolytically stable polyimide material is an SI polyimide material.

Abstract: A system for delivering a medical electrical lead within a coronary venous system that includes an introducer kit for establishing venous access to the coronary venous system and a plurality of delivery sheaths, each corresponding to a desired approach to a coronary sinus of the coronary venous system and insertable within the coronary venous system through the navigation pathway. A hemostasis valve is coupled to a delivery sheath of the plurality of delivery sheaths, and a guide wire is inserted within the lead lumen, guiding delivery of the distal tip of the medical electrical lead to a target site within the coronary venous system through the hemostasis valve and the delivery sheath. Subsequent to the distal tip being delivered to the target sight, the hemostasis valve is advanced over the connector of the medical electrical lead to remove the hemostasis valve from the medical electrical lead.

Abstract: A loading device for loading a guide wire within a medical electrical lead that includes a navigation portion, having an outer portion, and extending from a front end to a back end, and having an opening formed at the back end. An engagement cavity receives and properly orientates the lead distal tip to align the lumen of the lead with the opening of the navigation portion during the loading of the guide wire within the lead. A first side wall is spaced from a second side wall to form a slot extending along the outer portion from the front end to the back end of the navigation portion, and the guide wire is advanced through the slot as the lead having the guide wire loaded therein is removed from the loading device.

Abstract: An introducer is structured with an elongated tube having first and second lumens. A molded handle is coupled to the proximal end of the tube with an opening aligned with the first lumen. Further, a wall adjacent the opening of the handle defines a slot and is located diametrically opposite the second lumen. A tubular reinforcement member is located within the second lumen and the handle is provided with a second opening, thereby having a communication with the second lumen. In another embodiment a lead/catheter introducer includes an implantable lead or catheter having an elongated first lumen through which the lead or catheter passes and a second lumen extends parallel to the first lumen along at least a distal portion thereof. A tubular reinforcement member is disposed within the second lumen. The tubular reinforcement member further includes an internal lumen and a curvable stylet disposed in the lumen.

Abstract: An introducer or guide catheter for directing an implantable medical device such as a lead or catheter to a desired location within a patient's body. In one embodiment of the invention, the introducer comprises a two-lumen tube. A first lumen is configured to receive the implantable medical device that is to be introduced. A second lumen is provided to receive an insertable, elongated guiding member such as a stylet, which may be shapable in various orientations, and which may be used to alter the configuration of the introducer. The second lumen may be provided with an internal coil or other tubular reinforcement member to prevent perforation of this lumen by the guiding member when the introducer is in the patient's body. In order to facilitate removal of the introducer over an implantable medical device having a connector or fitting that is larger than the internal diameter of the first lumen, the introducer may be adapted to be slit or split along its length.

Abstract: An implantable electrical lead having a lead body with a longitudinal lumen therein and a stranded electrical conductor located in the lumen and which exits the lumen at a distal portion of the lead body, the distal end of the conductor being curved to form a loop and reentering the lumen, terminating within the lumen alongside a more proximal portion of the conductor. The portion of the conductor exterior to the lumen is wound around the lead body to form a coiled electrode. In some embodiments the distal end of the conductor is coupled to a more proximal portion of the conductor to form a loop and the loop is wound around the lead body to form a bifilar coil. In other embodiments the conductor is wound around the lead body to form a mono-filar coil. The distal end of the conductor is mechanically and electrically coupled to a more proximal portion of the conductor, within the lumen.

Abstract: A method of removing chronically implanted pacing leads and leads specifically adapted to be removed using the method. The leads are constructed so that upon tension applied to the electrode, it is withdrawn to a first location, so that upon further application of tension, the sheath located distal to the withdrawn electrode may collapse, enhancing its removability. In some embodiments of leads particularly adapted for use in conjunction with the method, the leads are provided with a mechanism for allowing breakage of the lead adjacent the points to which the electrode has been withdrawn, upon application of further tension to the electrode.