Abstract: Methods and devices for implanting a ventricular assist device employ a coupler that engages an aperture formed in a heart wall and provides a conduit by which blood is pumped from the ventricle via the ventricular assist device. A method includes penetrating a distal end of a delivery device through a wall of a heart into a ventricle of the heart to form an aperture having a diameter in the wall. A coupler is deployed from the delivery device so that the coupler engages the aperture, expands the diameter of the aperture, and forms a conduit for a flow of blood from the ventricle. The delivery device is removed from the ventricle by retracting the delivery device through the conduit. The ventricular assist device is coupled to the coupler to receive the flow of blood from the ventricle and pump the flow of blood to assist circulation in the patient.

Abstract: Methods and devices for implanting a ventricular assist device employ a coupler that engages an aperture formed in a heart wall and provides a conduit by which blood is pumped from the ventricle via the ventricular assist device. A method includes penetrating a distal end of a delivery device through a wall of a heart into a ventricle of the heart to form an aperture having a diameter in the wall. A coupler is deployed from the delivery device so that the coupler engages the aperture, expands the diameter of the aperture, and forms a conduit for a flow of blood from the ventricle. The delivery device is removed from the ventricle by retracting the delivery device through the conduit. The ventricular assist device is coupled to the coupler to receive the flow of blood from the ventricle and pump the flow of blood to assist circulation in the patient.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an implantable lead includes providing a core including at least one longitudinal lumen; providing a jacket comprising a reflowable material; positioning the core at least partially within the jacket; and, after positioning, applying heat to cause the material of the jacket to reflow and bond to the core. An implantable lead includes a core including at least one longitudinal lumen; and a jacket comprising a reflowable material. The core may be at least partially disposed within the jacket with the material of the jacket reflow-bonded to the core. The implantable lead may further include at least one lead component associated with at least one of the core and the jacket.

Abstract: Disclose herein is a method of measuring pressures in a coronary sinus. In one embodiment, the method includes: introducing a distal portion of a lead or tool into the coronary sinus, wherein the distal portion includes first and second pressure sensors and at least one selectably expandable member; expanding the at least one expandable member such that the first and second sensors are isolated from each other within the coronary sinus; and taking pressure measurements with the first and second sensors when isolated from each other.

Abstract: Disclose herein is a method of measuring pressures in a coronary sinus. In one embodiment, the method includes: introducing a distal portion of a lead or tool into the coronary sinus, wherein the distal portion includes first and second pressure sensors and at least one selectably expandable member; expanding the at least one expandable member such that the first and second sensors are isolated from each other within the coronary sinus; and taking pressure measurements with the first and second sensors when isolated from each other.

Abstract: An implantable stimulation system includes a stimulation current generator encased in an implantable housing, one or more stimulation leads to deliver therapeutic stimulation from the generator to target patient tissue, and inductive elements arranged to condition the stimulation for delivery to the target tissue with increased efficiency and reduced pain sensation. The inductive elements are arranged external to the housing and integral with one or more of a stimulation lead or an external component of the housing, such as a header. The inductive elements serve to condition therapeutic stimulations such that varying the output of the generator allows the system to deliver arbitrary effective waveforms to the target tissue.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead disclosed herein may include a longitudinally extending body, a helical anchor and a lead connector end. The longitudinally extending body may include a distal end, a proximal end, a braid-reinforced inner tubular layer extending between the proximal and distal ends, and an outer tubular layer extending between the proximal and distal ends. The braid-reinforced inner tubular layer may extend through the outer tubular layer in a coaxial arrangement. The helical anchor electrode may be operably coupled to a distal end of the braid-reinforced inner tubular layer. The lead connector end may be operably coupled to the proximal end of the body and include a pin contact operably coupled to a proximal end of the braid-reinforced tubular layer.

Abstract: A subcutaneous implantable cardiac device system applies defibrillation currents in pathways aligned with the heart's own electrical system to decrease defibrillation thresholds. In one implementation, one or more subcutaneous sensors detect ventricular fibrillation. Positioning of subcutaneous sensors and filtering result in improved sensing with reduced noise. A subcutaneous patch component of the system that is in communication with a subcutaneous pacemaker or cardioverter-defibrillator may perform the sensing and apply the defibrillation. The subcutaneous patch may include one or more electrodes that perform both sensing and defibrillation. Variations of the subcutaneous patch may include battery and capacitor for generating onboard defibrillation current and may also include a microprocessor for advanced programmable operation.

Abstract: A body implantable lead system includes an over-the-wire lead with a longitudinally extending lumen. A hollow stylet having an outer peripheral surface is introduced into the lumen and an annular resilient blood seal within the lumen may be sealingly positioned between the outer peripheral surface of the stylet and the lead to prevent flow of blood beyond the blood seal and into the lumen in a proximal direction. A guidewire is slidably received within the hollow stylet and includes a tip end which may project through the passage at the distal end of the lead such that relative movement of the guidewire and stylet within the lead is enabled while avoiding friction between the blood seal and the guidewire. Either the guidewire or the stylet may be preshaped for proper placement of the lead for engagement with the body tissue and surrounded by a semi-rigid retractable sheath.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. The implantable medical lead may include a body including an electrical insulation tube, a distal portion with an electrode, and a proximal portion with a lead connector end. The electrical insulation tube may be coaxial with a longitudinally extending center axis of the body. The lead may also include an electrical pathway extending between the electrode and lead connector end, the electrical pathway including an inductor comprising an electrical conductor helically wound directly on an outer circumferential surface of the insulation tube.

Abstract: A medical tubular body that may be used in an implantable medical lead, a catheter, a sheath and introducer is disclosed herein. The medical tubular body may include a tubular layer formed of an electrically insulating polymer and an electrically conductive polymer strip imbedded in and longitudinally extending through the insulating polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tool for implanting a medical lead. In one embodiment, the tool includes a body, an electrode, and a conductor. The body includes a distal end and a proximal end. The electrode is supported by the body. The conductor is in electrical contact with the electrode and extends along the body from the electrode to the proximal end. The electrode and conductor form an electrically conductive path that extends from a surface of the electrode to a proximal most point of the conductor on the body. The electrical resistance of the electrically conductive path is at least approximately 100 Ohms.

Abstract: Disclose herein is a method of measuring pressures in a coronary sinus. In one embodiment, the method includes: introducing a distal portion of a lead or tool into the coronary sinus, wherein the distal portion includes first and second pressure sensors and at least one selectably expandable member; expanding the at least one expandable member such that the first and second sensors are isolated from each other within the coronary sinus; and taking pressure measurements with the first and second sensors when isolated from each other.

Abstract: An implantable multi-conductor endocardial lead for a cardiac stimulator includes a tubular lead body of flexible resilient insulative material having a first lumen and a smaller diameter tubular member of similar material having a second lumen is coaxially received in the first lumen. An outer coil conductor is received within an annular cavity between the tubular lead body and the tubular member. An elongated inner coil conductor is received within the second lumen. A tip electrode at the distal end of the lead is coupled to the inner coil conductor and a ring electrode proximally spaced from the tip electrode is coupled to the outer coil conductor. All components except for the outer coil conductor have a normally straight configuration and the outer coil conductor is pre-shaped into a generally circular looped configuration such that, upon assembly, the resulting endocardial lead results in a J-configuration at its distal end.

Abstract: An implantable lead having an elongated lead body that includes an electrical conductor extending between a distal end of the lead body and a proximal end of the lead body is disclosed. The lead further includes an electrode formed at the distal end of the lead body, the electrode being coupled to the electrical conductor and one or more passive fixation mesh sections coupled to the distal end of the lead body that promotes tissue over growth.

Abstract: An implantable myocardial stimulation lead comprises a lead body having a distal end and a proximal end, and an electrical connector carried by the proximal end of the lead body. An electrode header carried by the distal end of the lead body has an axis and includes a helical fixation element extending along the axis, the electrode header having a surface configured to receive a driver for rotating the electrode header to screw the helical fixation element into the tissue of the heart. The lead body carries along its length a strain relief member resisting excessive bending of the lead body.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac stimulation device is equipped with an isolation system capable of attenuating or eliminating induction currents flowing through the stimulation device by eliminating induction loops. The isolation system comprises a magnetic insulator configured to shield selected components of the stimulation device from external magnetic fields or radio-frequency (RF) signals. The magnetic insulator comprises a plurality of sensors that are configured to detect the intensity of the external magnetic fields and/or RF signals, and a switch bank that electrically isolates certain components of the stimulation device to eliminate the induction loops. The isolation system further comprises an attenuation system comprised of at least one magnetoresistor disposed along potential induction loops to attenuate induction currents when subjected to undesirable external magnetic fields and/or RF signals.

Abstract: An implantable lead adapted to transmit electrical signals between a connector assembly on a proximal end of the lead and at least one electrode carried by a distal end of the lead comprises a helical fixation element extendable and retractable from the distal end of the lead, the header comprising (a) an inner header part comprising an electrically conductive material that is substantially transparent fluoroscopically, the inner header part having a distal end, (b) an outer header part comprising an electrically insulating material, and (c) a collar attached to the distal end of the inner header part. The collar comprises a material that is substantially opaque fluoroscopically. The collar may be electrically conductive, and electrically and mechanically connected, preferably by means of an overlap joint, to the distal end of the inner header part.

Abstract: An implantable lead for transmitting electrical signals between a proximal end and a distal end comprises an elongated lead body defining a longitudinally-extending lumen, and a plurality of individual electrical conductors contained in the lumen of the lead body and extending between the proximal and distal ends, the plurality of individual conductors sharing a common insulating coating. Each of the plurality of individual electrical conductors preferably comprises a braided, multifilar cable conductor. In one embodiment, the common insulating coating electrically isolates the plurality of conductors from each other, and may include a bridging portion extending between individual conductors. The plurality of electrical conductors and the common insulating coating comprise a conductor assembly that may have a helical configuration defining a longitudinally-extending passageway for receiving a stylet, guide wire, or the like, for placement of the distal end of the lead.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac stimulation device is equipped with an isolation system capable of attenuating or eliminating induction currents flowing through the stimulation device by eliminating induction loops. The isolation system comprises a magnetic insulator configured to shield selected components of the stimulation device from external magnetic fields or radio-frequency (RF) signals. The magnetic insulator comprises a plurality of sensors that are configured to detect the intensity of the external magnetic fields and/or RF signals, and a switch bank that electrically isolates certain components of the stimulation device to eliminate the induction loops. The isolation system further comprises an attenuation system comprised of at least one magnetoresistor disposed along potential induction loops to attenuate induction currents when subjected to undesirable external magnetic fields and/or RF signals.