Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable medical lead configured to receive a stylet. The lead may include a tubular body and a structure. The tubular body may include a distal end and a proximal end. The body may be configured to receive the stylet. The structure longitudinally may extend through the body between the distal end and the proximal end. The structure may be anchored within the body such that a tensile force arising within the body by the stylet being extended through the body causes the tensile force to be substantially carried by the structure.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the lead includes a body, at least one electrode and a lead connector end. The body includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The at least one electrode is on the distal portion. The lead connector end is on the proximal portion and includes a pin contact and a retainer assembly. The pin contact is electrically coupled to the at least one electrode and proximally extends from the lead connector end. The retainer assembly retains the pin contact as part of the lead connector end and includes a collar and a cap. The cap is secured within the collar via an interference fit arrangement and includes a hole through which the pin contact extends.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead comprising a conductor extending along the lead and a crimp connector secured to the conductor comprising a body with an outer surface, an inner surface, proximal and distal ends, and first and second lateral edges, the lateral edges having edge features extending there from, the edge features adapted to opposingly interleave with one another. Methods of assembling a crimp connector with a cable conductor including parallel and cross-wise assembly are also encompassed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. The method may include: providing a lead body including a proximal end, a distal end, and an electrode near the distal end; provide a conductor extending between the proximal and distal ends; providing a crimp including a ribbon-like member and extending the ribbon-like member around the conductor; and mechanically and electrically connecting the ribbon-like member to the electrode.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead comprising a conductor extending along the lead and a crimp connector secured to the conductor comprising a body with an outer surface, an inner surface, proximal and distal ends, and first and second lateral edges, the lateral edges having edge features extending there from, the edge features adapted to opposingly interleave with one another. Methods of assembling a crimp connector with a cable conductor including parallel and cross-wise assembly are also encompassed.

Abstract: An introducer sheath is disclosed herein. The sheath includes a tubular body. The tubular body has a proximal zone, an intermediate zone and a distal zone. The proximal zone is generally straight. The intermediate zone extends from a distal end of the proximal zone and curves in a first direction. The distal zone extends from a distal end of the intermediate zone and curves in a second direction different from the first direction.

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: An implantable medical lead comprising a conductor extending along the lead and a crimp connector secured to the conductor comprising a body with an outer surface, an inner surface, proximal and distal ends, and first and second lateral edges, the lateral edges having edge features extending there from, the edge features adapted to opposingly interleave with one another. Methods of assembling a crimp connector with a cable conductor including parallel and cross-wise assembly are also encompassed.

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: An implantable active fixation lead includes an outer sheath, a protector member having a peripheral surface extending between its distal and proximal end surfaces with a helical groove formed in the peripheral surface, and a fixation helix integral with the outer sheath. The fixation helix includes a tip end engageable with body tissue and slidably engaged with the helical groove for relative translation and rotation. A longitudinal force on the lead firmly engages the protector member's distal end surface with the body tissue. With the fixation helix initially retracted proximally of the protector member's distal end surface and disengaged from the body tissue, upon application of torque to the outer sheath, the distal end surface of the protector member is moved proximally with respect to the fixation helix which, simultaneously, is extended distally beyond the distal end surface of the protector member to an extended position into engagement with the body tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable medical lead configured to receive a stylet. The lead may include a tubular body and a structure. The tubular body may include a distal end and a proximal end. The body may be configured to receive the stylet. The structure longitudinally may extend through the body between the distal end and the proximal end. The structure may be anchored within the body such that a tensile force arising within the body by the stylet being extended through the body causes the tensile force to be substantially carried by the structure.

Abstract: An implantable active fixation lead includes an outer sheath, a protector member having a peripheral surface extending between its distal and proximal end surfaces with a helical groove formed in the peripheral surface, and a fixation helix integral with the outer sheath. The fixation helix includes a tip end engageable with body tissue and slidably engaged with the helical groove for relative translation and rotation. A longitudinal force on the lead firmly engages the protector member's distal end surface with the body tissue. With the fixation helix initially retracted proximally of the protector member's distal end surface and disengaged from the body tissue, upon application of torque to the outer sheath, the distal end surface of the protector member is moved proximally with respect to the fixation helix which, simultaneously, is extended distally beyond the distal end surface of the protector member to an extended position into engagement with the body tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable medical lead. The lead may include a longitudinally extending body having a distal end, a proximal end, a helical core assembly extending between the distal and proximal ends, and an outer jacket about the helical core assembly. The helical core assembly may have at least one helical ridge. In some instances, the at least one helical ridge may be at least two helical ridges and the helical core may further include least two helical troughs. In some such cases, the at least two helical ridges may define the at least two helical troughs.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the lead includes a body, at least one electrode and a lead connector end. The body includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The at least one electrode is on the distal portion. The lead connector end is on the proximal portion and includes a pin contact and a retainer assembly. The pin contact is electrically coupled to the at least one electrode and proximally extends from the lead connector end. The retainer assembly retains the pin contact as part of the lead connector end and includes a collar and a cap. The cap is secured within the collar via an interference fit arrangement and includes a hole through which the pin contact extends.

Abstract: A lead for connecting to a pacing and/or defibrillation power source is disclosed herein. The lead includes a lead tubular body, a connector for connecting the lead to the power source, and a strain-flex relief assembly joining the lead tubular body to the connector assembly and including a helical multi-strand cable conductor configuration.

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: For use in an implantable medical device, there is provided a biocompatible, biostable, corrosion-resistant wire strand comprising a core comprising a plurality of electrically conductive, low electrical resistance filaments embedded in an electrically conductive matrix, and a low electrical resistance, substantially chemically inactive cladding.

Abstract: Magnetically alterable material, such as magnetostrictive material, is used in combination with a suitable substrate and a suitable magnetic field to produce a stylet and lead assembly that curves in response to a suitable magnetic field.