Abstract: A volume of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of a volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of other imaging devices. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.

Abstract: An volume of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of a volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of other imaging devices. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.

Abstract: A volume of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of a volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of other imaging devices. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.

Abstract: An volume of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of a volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of other imaging devices. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.

Abstract: A volume of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of a volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of other imaging devices. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.

Abstract: An volume of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of a volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of other imaging devices. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.

Abstract: A volume of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of a volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of other imaging devices. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.

Abstract: A volume of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of a volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of other imaging devices. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.

Abstract: Systems for gaining access into a body of a patient around an implanted body of an elongate medical device include a sheath having a deformable wall that allows insertion of the device body into a lumen surrounded by the sheath wall. The sheath wall may include first and second edges that extend from a proximal end to a distal end of the lumen, or just extend along a distal portion of the lumen. A tool, which includes a groove sized to grasp about a circumference of the device body, may facilitate insertion of the device body into the lumen of those sheath embodiments that include the first and second edges, by spreading at least one of the first and second edges of the wall apart from the other of the first and second edges while the device body is grasped within the tool.

Abstract: A non-sheath based medical device delivery system is provided including an elongated tubular guide body having a distal end fixedly attached to a resilient collet with a longitudinal opening to receive a medical lead or other device. The collet may be opened by actuating a retraction member to cause the closing member to slide proximally along the collet shaft, allowing the collet to maintain a normally open position. With the collet closed, the device may be advanced to a desired internal body location by advancing the guide body. The majority of the device body will be exposed, running alongside the guide body, allowing any sensors or electrodes located on the device body to be fully operational during the implantation procedure. The delivery system may be removed by opening the collet, to slidably disengage from the device body.

Abstract: A steerable catheter and methods of fabrication including a catheter body formed of a continuous wire braid formed of wires braided over a delivery lumen liner and a pull wire lumen liner distal to a pull wire jacket port, braided around the pull wire jacket port to form a braid port, and over at least a portion of the delivery lumen liner proximal to the pull wire jacket port. A pull wire extends from a pull wire proximal end through the pull wire lumen port and through the pull wire lumen to a pull wire distal end. A band is attached to the pull wire distal end and fitted over a distal segment of the wire braid proximal to the catheter body distal end to fix the pull wire distal end to the catheter body and restrain the wire distal end from flaring away from the delivery lumen liner.

Abstract: Curves and dynamic shapes are imparted in distal segments of medical instruments e.g., catheters, through use of a temperature-activated actuator coupled to distal segment of the instrument body. The actuator comprises includes members extending side-by-side in substantially a common plane and configured to move in opposite directions when independently activated. A first heating device is coupled to a first actuator member and configured to deliver thermal energy to the first actuator member to activate the first actuator member and cause the first actuator member to move the distal segment in a first direction. A second heating device is coupled to a second actuator member and configured to deliver thermal energy to the second actuator member to activate the second actuator member and cause the second actuator member to move the distal segment in a second direction opposed to the first direction.

Abstract: An electrically insulative layer of a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator includes an inorganic material formed upon a portion of an SMA substrate. A conductive material formed upon a portion of the electrically insulative layer in a trace pattern includes a first end, a second end, and a heating element disposed between the first and second ends. The SMA substrate is trained to deform at a transition temperature achieved when electricity is conducted through the conductive material via first and second interconnect pads terminating the first and second ends of the trace pattern.

Abstract: An electrically insulative layer of a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator includes an inorganic material formed upon a portion of an SMA substrate. A conductive material formed upon a portion of the electrically insulative layer in a trace pattern includes a first end, a second end, and a heating element disposed between the first and second ends. The SMA substrate is trained to deform at a transition temperature achieved when electricity is conducted through the conductive material via first and second interconnect pads terminating the first and second ends of the trace pattern.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator includes a groove formed in a surface of a shape memory alloy (SMA) substrate establishing a trace pattern for a layer of conductive material formed over an electrically insulative layer. The trace pattern includes a first end, a second end, and a heating element disposed between the first and second ends. The SMA substrate is trained to deform at a transition temperature achieved when electricity is conducted through the conductive material via first and second interconnect pads terminating the first and second ends of the trace pattern.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead with a tip-ring assembly optimized to resist damage during extraction. The lead includes an elongated plastic tube and at least two elongated conductors mounted in the plastic tube. A tip-ring assembly is mounted to the distal end of the tube, the tip-ring assembly including a ring electrode coupled to one of the conductors, a tip electrode located distal to the ring electrode and coupled to another of the conductors and two molded plastic components separately fabricated of a plastic harder than the plastic tube, adhered to one another and together defining a circumferential groove in which the ring electrode is located and mechanically coupled to the tip electrode. The tip electrode may be provided with a proximally extending electrode shank covered by a tine sleeve which is fabricated of a plastic softer than the molded plastic components and is adhered to more distally located molded plastic component.

Abstract: A steerable catheter and methods of fabrication including a catheter body formed of a continuous wire braid formed of wires braided over a delivery lumen liner and a pull wire lumen liner distal to a pull wire jacket port, braided around the pull wire jacket port to form a braid port, and over at least a portion of the delivery lumen liner proximal to the pull wire jacket port. A pull wire extends from a pull wire proximal end through the pull wire lumen port and through the pull wire lumen to a pull wire distal end. A band is attached to the pull wire distal end and fitted over a distal segment of the wire braid proximal to the catheter body distal end to fix the pull wire distal end to the catheter body and restrain the wire distal end from flaring away from the delivery lumen liner.

Abstract: A non-sheath based medical device delivery system is provided including an elongated tubular guide body having a distal end fixedly attached to a resilient collet with a longitudinal opening to receive a medical lead or other device. The collet may be opened by actuating a retraction member to cause the closing member to slide proximally along the collet shaft, allowing the collet to maintain a normally open position. With the collet closed, the device may be advanced to a desired internal body location by advancing the guide body. The majority of the device body will be exposed, running alongside the guide body, allowing any sensors or electrodes located on the device body to be fully operational during the implantation procedure. The delivery system may be removed by opening the collet, to slidably disengage from the device body.

Abstract: Curves and dynamic shapes are imparted in distal segments of medical instruments e.g., catheters, through use of a temperature-activated actuator coupled to distal segment of the instrument body. The actuator comprises includes members extending side-by-side in substantially a common plane and configured to move in opposite directions when independently activated. A first heating device is coupled to a first actuator member and configured to deliver thermal energy to the first actuator member to activate the first actuator member and cause the first actuator member to move the distal segment in a first direction. A second heating device is coupled to a second actuator member and configured to deliver thermal energy to the second actuator member to activate the second actuator member and cause the second actuator member to move the distal segment in a second direction opposed to the first direction.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead with a tip-ring assembly optimized to resist damage during extraction. The lead includes an elongated plastic tube and at least two elongated conductors mounted in the plastic tube. A tip-ring assembly is mounted to the distal end of the tube, the tip-ring assembly including a ring electrode coupled to one of the conductors, a tip electrode located distal to the ring electrode and coupled to another of the conductors and two molded plastic components separately fabricated of a plastic harder than the plastic tube, adhered to one another and together defining a circumferential groove in which the ring electrode is located and mechanically coupled to the tip electrode. The tip electrode may be provided with a proximally extending electrode shank covered by a tine sleeve which is fabricated of a plastic softer than the molded plastic components and is adhered to more distally located molded plastic component.