Abstract: A chamber or vasculature of a heart may be accessed via the pericardial space of the heart. Initially, the pericardial space may be accessed via a transmyocardial approach or a subxiphoid approach. A lead or other implantable apparatus may thus be routed into the pericardial space, through myocardial tissue and into the chamber or vasculature. The lead or other apparatus may be used to sense activity in or provide therapy to the heart.

Abstract: A bioelectric battery may be used to power implantable devices. The bioelectric battery may have an anode electrode and a cathode electrode separated by an insulating member comprising a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein said anode is inserted into said first end of said tube and said cathode surrounds said tube such that the tube provides a support for the cathode electrode. The bioelectric battery may also have a membrane surrounding the cathode to reduce tissue encapsulation. Alternatively, an anode electrode, a cathode electrode surrounding the cathode electrode, a permeable membrane surrounding the cathode electrode. An electrolyte is disposed within the permeable membrane and a mesh surrounds the permeable membrane. In an alternative embodiment, a pacemaker housing acts as a cathode electrode for a bioelectric battery and an anode electrode is attached to the housing with an insulative adhesive.

Abstract: An epicardial lead is passively fixed in a pericardial space by a passive fixation member. The passive fixation member extends from a distal portion of an epicardial lead and acts against a pericardial layer and an epicardial layer to hold the lead in place. The epicardial lead may include an electrode that is connected to a conductor that extends from a distal portion of the lead. In some embodiments the epicardial lead includes a material that promotes fibrosis to fix the lead to heart tissue. The passive fixation member may include a shocking coil.

Abstract: A bioelectric battery may be used to power implantable devices. The bioelectric battery may have an anode electrode and a cathode electrode separated by an insulating member comprising a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein said anode is inserted into said first end of said tube and said cathode surrounds said tube such that the tube provides a support for the cathode electrode. The bioelectric battery may also have a membrane surrounding the cathode to reduce tissue encapsulation. Alternatively, an anode electrode, a cathode electrode surrounding the cathode electrode, a permeable membrane surrounding the cathode electrode. An electrolyte is disposed within the permeable membrane and a mesh surrounds the permeable membrane. In an alternative embodiment, a pacemaker housing acts as a cathode electrode for a bioelectric battery and an anode electrode is attached to the housing with an insulative adhesive.

Abstract: A bioelectric battery may be used to power implantable devices. The bioelectric battery may have an anode electrode and a cathode electrode separated by an insulating member comprising a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein said anode is inserted into said first end of said tube and said cathode surrounds said tube such that the tube provides a support for the cathode electrode. The bioelectric battery may also have a membrane surrounding the cathode to reduce tissue encapsulation. Alternatively, an anode electrode, a cathode electrode surrounding the cathode electrode, a permeable membrane surrounding the cathode electrode. An electrolyte is disposed within the permeable membrane and a mesh surrounds the permeable membrane. In an alternative embodiment, a pacemaker housing acts as a cathode electrode for a bioelectric battery and an anode electrode is attached to the housing with an insulative adhesive.

Abstract: A chamber or vasculature of a heart may be accessed via the pericardial space of the heart. Initially, the pericardial space may be accessed via a transmyocardial approach or a subxiphoid approach. A lead or other implantable apparatus may thus be routed into the pericardial space, through myocardial tissue and into the chamber or vasculature. The lead or other apparatus may be used to sense activity in or provide therapy to the heart.

Abstract: A bioelectric battery may be used to power implantable devices. The bioelectric battery may have an anode electrode and a cathode electrode separated by an insulating member comprising a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein said anode is inserted into said first end of said tube and said cathode surrounds said tube such that the tube provides a support for the cathode electrode. The bioelectric battery may also have a membrane surrounding the cathode to reduce tissue encapsulation. Alternatively, an anode electrode, a cathode electrode surrounding the cathode electrode, a permeable membrane surrounding the cathode electrode. An electrolyte is disposed within the permeable membrane and a mesh surrounds the permeable membrane. In an alternative embodiment, a pacemaker housing acts as a cathode electrode for a bioelectric battery and an anode electrode is attached to the housing with an insulative adhesive.

Abstract: A chamber or vasculature of a heart may be accessed via the pericardial space of the heart. Initially, the pericardial space may be accessed via a transmyocardial approach or a subxiphoid approach. A lead or other implantable apparatus may thus be routed into the pericardial space, through myocardial tissue and into the chamber or vasculature. The lead or other apparatus may be used to sense activity in or provide therapy to the heart.

Abstract: The intrapericardial lead includes a lead body having a proximal portion and a flexible, pre-curved distal end portion. The distal end portion carries at least one electrode assembly containing an electrode adapted to engage pericardial tissue. The distal end portion further carries a pre-curved flexible wire member having ends attached to spaced apart points along the distal end portion of the lead body, the flexible wire member having a normally expanded state wherein an intermediate portion of the wire member is spaced apart from the distal end portion, and a generally straightened state wherein the wire member and the distal end portion are disposed in a more parallel, adjacent relationship so as to present a small frontal area to facilitate delivery into the pericardial space. The wire member re-expands to its normal state after delivery into the pericardial space to anchor the distal end portion of the lead body relative to the pericardial tissue.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for accessing the pericardial space of a heart including an elongated body defining a lumen and a piercing member that extends from a distal portion of the elongated body for piercing tissue of the heart. A spring expands from a distal end of the piercing member in response to the distal end of the piercing member passing through the tissue and into the pericardial space. An electrode located on the spring in order to sense signals indicative of a distal end of the spring passing through the tissue and into the pericardial space.

Abstract: A bioelectric battery may be used to power implantable devices. The bioelectric battery may have an anode electrode and a cathode electrode separated by an insulating member comprising a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein said anode is inserted into said first end of said tube and said cathode surrounds said tube such that the tube provides a support for the cathode electrode. The bioelectric battery may also have a membrane surrounding the cathode to reduce tissue encapsulation. Alternatively, an anode electrode, a cathode electrode surrounding the cathode electrode, a permeable membrane surrounding the cathode electrode. An electrolyte is disposed within the permeable membrane and a mesh surrounds the permeable membrane. In an alternative embodiment, a pacemaker housing acts as a cathode electrode for a bioelectric battery and an anode electrode is attached to the housing with an insulative adhesive.

Abstract: Embodiments include electrical leads and methods of using electrical leads that may be used for delivering both cardioversion/defibrillation signals and pacing signals and sensing to target tissue. Some of these embodiments may also be used to sense and transmit electrical signals from target tissue. Some electrical lead embodiments are configured to be delivered into a patient's intrapericardial space by non-invasive methods.

Abstract: The intrapericardial lead includes a lead body having a proximal portion and a flexible, pre-curved distal end portion. The distal end portion carries at least one electrode assembly containing an electrode adapted to engage pericardial tissue. The distal end portion further carries a pre-curved flexible wire member having ends attached to spaced apart points along the distal end portion of the lead body, the flexible wire member having a normally expanded state wherein an intermediate portion of the wire member is spaced apart from the distal end portion, and a generally straightened state wherein the wire member and the distal end portion are disposed in a more parallel, adjacent relationship so as to present a small frontal area to facilitate delivery into the pericardial space. The wire member re-expands to its normal state after delivery into the pericardial space to anchor the distal end portion of the lead body relative to the pericardial tissue.

Abstract: A fixation section and a rim form a myocardial patch for implant in the pericardial space. The fixation section is adapted to promote fibrosis to secure the patch in place. The rim is secured to and surrounds at least a portion of the fixation section and has a lumen. The patch is adapted to transition between a collapsed state and an expanded state. A stylet is passed through the lumen to force the patch into a collapsed state and is removed when the patch is positioned to allow the patch to expand and engage the epicardial surface.

Abstract: An epicardial lead is passively fixed in a pericardial space by a passive fixation member. The passive fixation member extends from a distal portion of an epicardial lead and acts against a pericardial layer and an epicardial layer to hold the lead in place. The epicardial lead may include an electrode that is connected to a conductor that extends from a distal portion of the lead. In some embodiments the epicardial lead includes a material that promotes fibrosis to fix the lead to heart tissue. The passive fixation member may include a shocking coil.

Abstract: The intrapericardial lead includes a lead body having a proximal portion and a flexible, pre-curved distal end portion. The distal end portion carries at least one electrode assembly containing an electrode adapted to engage pericardial tissue. The distal end portion further carries a pre-curved flexible wire member having ends attached to spaced apart points along the distal end portion of the lead body, the flexible wire member having a normally expanded state wherein an intermediate portion of the wire member is spaced apart from the distal end portion, and a generally straightened state wherein the wire member and the distal end portion are disposed in a more parallel, adjacent relationship so as to present a small frontal area to facilitate delivery into the pericardial space. The wire member re-expands to its normal state after delivery into the percaridal space to anchor the distal end portion of the lead body relative to the pericardial tissue.

Abstract: A chamber or vasculature of a heart may be accessed via the pericardial space of the heart. Initially, the pericardial space may be accessed via a transmyocardial approach or a subxiphoid approach. A lead or other implantable apparatus may thus be routed into the pericardial space, through myocardial tissue and into the chamber or vasculature. The lead or other apparatus may be used to sense activity in or provide therapy to the heart.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an implantable medical device having a receptacle adapted to receive a connector assembly attached to a proximal end of an implantable lead. A distal end portion of the implantable lead carries at least one electrode electrically connected with a terminal contact on the connector assembly. The receptacle contains at least one internal insulative sealing surface. An anti-static coating comprising carbon nanotubes is applied to the at least one internal insulative sealing surface.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead for transmitting electrical signals between an implantable medical device and selected body tissue comprises a lead body having a distal end portion, a proximal end and an electrically insulating, elongated housing connecting the distal end portion and the proximal end. The proximal end of the lead body carries an electrical connector assembly adapted to be electrically connected to the implantable medical device and the distal end portion of the lead body carries at least one electrode electrically coupled to a terminal contact on the connector assembly. The lead comprises at least one surface susceptible during use of the lead to the accumulation of electrostatic charges, the at least one surface having a coating comprising carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of measuring pressure through a septum in a patient's heart is disclosed. A lead inserted into the right side of a heart is routed through the septum to gain access to the left side of the heart. The lead includes an attachment structure that secures the lead to one or both of the septal walls. The attachment structure may include at least one protruding tine, membrane, inflatable balloon, involuted spiral or J-lead that engage one or more sides of the septum. The lead also includes one or more sensors for measuring cardiac pressure on the left side of the heart and, as necessary, the right side of the heart.