Abstract: A medical electrical lead comprises a flexible, elongate lead body extending along a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. A protective distal tip structure is disposed on the distal end of the lead body. The tip structure includes a plurality of compliant projections each extending distally from the distal end of the body in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The projections are configured to contact and bear against cardiac tissue when the lead is implanted, and are deformable under the action of an axially or radially directed force. The projections optionally include a coating over a substrate. The coating can include a hydrogel material and/or a pharmaceutical agent such as a steroid for reducing inflammation at the implantation site.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a medical electrical lead including an insulative lead body formed, at least in part, from a polyisobutylene urethane, urea or urethane/urea copolymer. In some applications, the lead body can include at least one outer tubular insulator and/or an inner elongated member formed from a polyisobutylene urethane, urea or urethane/urea copolymer. Portions of the lead body formed form the polyisobutylene urethane, urea or urethane/urea copolymer can be either extruded or molded.

Abstract: The present invention provides medical devices that contain polyisobutylene urethane copolymers, polyisobutylene urea copolymers and polyisobutylene urethane/urea copolymers. More particularly, the present invention provides medical leads that contain such copolymers.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to crosslinkable and crosslinked polyisobutylene-based polymers, to compositions that contain such polymers, and to medical devices that are formed using such polymers. According to one aspect, the present invention pertains to crosslinkable and crosslinked compositions that comprise a copolymer that comprises a polyisobutylene segment and two or more reactive groups. According to another aspect, the present invention pertains to medical devices that contain such compositions. According to another aspect, the present invention pertains to methods of making medical devices using such compositions.

Abstract: Multi-zone surface treatments for medical electrical leads are provided for treating an intravenous zone, an intracardiac zone and/or a tip zone of a lead with multiple surface modifications to achieve distinct performance characteristics.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead includes a coiled electrode. In one example, the coiled electrode includes two conductive filars wound in parallel to define a plurality of turns and a gap between each turn. A polymeric filling is disposed in at least some of the gaps existing between each of the turns. The polymeric filling can include multiple layers of a thin polymeric film or a non-conductive, polymeric filar. The coiled electrode also includes a polymeric covering disposed over the outer surface of the electrode. The polymeric covering is bonded to the polymeric filling disposed in the gaps. The polymeric film includes a non-expanded polymer and the polymeric cover includes an expanded polymer. In some examples the non-expanded polymer is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and the non-expanded polymer is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE).

Abstract: A medical electrical lead body having an outer surface and including at least one lumen having an inner surface treated with a silane surface modifying agent to form a three-dimensional, densely cross-linked lubricious coating over at least a portion of the inner surface of the lumen. The outer surface of the lead body also may be similarly treated. The lubricious silane coating may reduce the coefficient of friction of the coated surface of the lead body by as much as 80% when compared to an uncoated surface. A reduction in the coefficient of friction may enhance the stringing efficiency of a conductor through the lead body lumen and may enhance its abrasion resistance.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the invention, copolymers comprising styrene and isobutylene monomers are used in the construction of implantable and insertable medical devices for electrical stimulation, including, for example, electronic signal generating components and electrical leads for such devices.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead comprises a flexible, elongate lead body extending along a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. A protective distal tip structure is disposed on the distal end of the lead body. The tip structure includes a plurality of compliant projections each extending distally from the distal end of the body in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The projections are configured to contact and bear against cardiac tissue when the lead is implanted, and are deformable under the action of an axially or radially directed force. The projections optionally include a coating over a substrate. The coating can include a hydrogel material and/or a pharmaceutical agent such as a steroid for reducing inflammation at the implantation site.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to polyisobutylene urethane, urea and urethane/urea copolymers, to methods of making such copolymers and to medical devices that contain such polymers. According to certain aspects of the invention, polyisobutylene urethane, urea and urethane/urea copolymers are provided, which comprise a polyisobutylene segment, an additional polymeric segment that is not a polyisobutylene segment, and a segment comprising a residue of a diisocyanate. According to other aspects of the invention, polyisobutylene urethane, urea and urethane/urea copolymers are provided, which comprise a polyisobutylene segment and end groups that comprise alkyl-, alkenyl- or alkynyl-chain-containing end groups.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to polyisobutylene urethane, urea and urethane/urea copolymers, to methods of making such copolymers and to medical devices that contain such polymers. According to certain aspects of the invention, polyisobutylene urethane, urea and urethane/urea copolymers are provided, which comprise a polyisobutylene segment, an additional polymeric segment that is not a polyisobutylene segment, and a segment comprising a residue of a diisocyanate. According to other aspects of the invention, polyisobutylene urethane, urea and urethane/urea copolymers are provided, which comprise a polyisobutylene segment and end groups that comprise alkyl-, alkenyl- or alkynyl-chain-containing end groups.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead includes a conductor having at least one layer of a parylene coating formed from a polyxylylene based polymer. The conductor can be a cable or a coiled conductor including one or more individual conductive filaments. The parylene coating may be provided over the individual conductive filaments or provided over an outer periphery of the conductor formed from the individual conductive filaments. Additionally, the parylene coating can be provided in more than one location. Lead bodies having reduced outer diameters without compromising the desired physical properties of a medical electrical lead may be constructed.

Abstract: An intravascular medical electrical lead includes a conformal coating including at least one layer formed from a poly-p-xylylene polymer. The coating is lubricious and provides an effective barrier against moisture and gases preventing degradation of the lead body material preventing corrosion of the conductor.