Abstract: A catheter used to deliver a medical electrical lead to a right atrium of a heart in close proximity to a His bundle. The catheter is adapted such that the distal tip confronts the His bundle generally perpendicularly. The catheter includes a proximal portion and a generally hook-shaped distal portion. The distal portion may include curves that direct the distal tip at an angle of over 180 degrees from the direction of the proximal portion.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead comprises an elongated body extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and a helical fixation member extending from the distal end of the elongated body. The helical fixation member is configured to fix the implantable medical lead at an implant site and includes a tip comprising a first surface generally facing a center axis of the helical fixation member.

Abstract: A catheter used to deliver a medical electrical lead to a right atrium of a heart in close proximity to a His bundle. The catheter includes a proximal portion and a distal portion.

Abstract: A needle driver is described that can be used to drive a plurality of surgical needles into or proximate to tissue of a living body. The needle driver assists the surgeon in perforating the tissue, creating the tracts at a desired depth, and creating multiple tracts simultaneously. The needle driver is configured to hold the needles securely when creating the tracts, and is also configured to disengage from the needles after the tracts have been created.

Abstract: An extendable medical lead comprises a lead body and a sheath defining a cavity that encloses a length of the lead body. The length of the lead body enclosed within the sheath may be coiled or otherwise gathered such that when extended, the length of the enclosed section of the lead body is greater than the length of the sheath. The sheath may include a seal to help prevent contaminant entry into the cavity in order to help reduce tissue in growth around the length of the lead body disposed within the sheath. A portion of the length of the lead body enclosed within the sheath exits the cavity through an aperture defined by the seal when a tensile force is applied to the lead body.

Abstract: A lead for delivering electrical signals to and/or receive electrical signals from a human heart that includes a solid inner conductor, and a fixation device having a titanium nitride coated surface and electrically coupled to the inner conductor. A steroid is applied to the titanium nitride surface of the fixation device, and at least one layer of insulation is positioned around the inner conductor. A conductive coil is positioned around and is insulated from the inner conductor, an electrode ring electrically coupled to the conductive coil is positioned around and is electrically isolated from the inner conductor, and an insulating spacer is positioned between and electrically isolates the ring electrode and the fixation device.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus providing pacing to improve the hemodynamics of the heart for patients with AV nodal block, right/left bundle branch block, and heart failure. A lead body having at least one conductor with an insulative sleeve is introduced into the right atrium of a heart. A partially masked helical electrode connected to the conductor is then secured preferably into the atrial aspect of the atrioventricular septum. The electrical conductor is then rotated such that an unmasked portion of the electrode is moved to a depth within the heart tissue substantially near the heart's intrinsic conduction system. This method and apparatus allow pacing in a natural manner via low power stimulation of the heart's intrinsic conduction system.

Abstract: The present invention includes a “Z shaped” configuration for a pair of internal windings of a fiber core of a medical electrical lead which can be configured as or windings to provide counter-rotation an implanted cardiac lead. When fully assembled and implanted within a patient, a screw-type active fixation electrode, such as a helical electrode, electrically couples to a coil conductor and mechanically couples to a loop formed at an end of the Z-shaped braided fiber. To remove the lead, an axial traction force is applied and as the Z-shaped braids begin to unwind rotational forces operate to unscrew the helical electrode. A lead constructed according to the present invention rotates counterclockwise and thus essentially unscrews the active fixation electrode.

Abstract: An electrical lead equipped with cathode and anode active succession electrodes for positioning in the vicinity of the His bundle tissue. The lead includes a lead body for carrying conductors coupled between electrodes located at or near the distal lead end and a connector assembly located at the proximal lead end for connecting to an implantable pacemaker. The electrode is shaped, at the distal end, for positioning and attachment in the His bundle and branches thereof, cathode and anode electrodes co-extensive with the lead body. The cathode and anode electrodes may be helical screw-in type or equivalent electrodes adapted for secure fixation deep within the His bundle tissue or the tissue in the vicinity of the His bundle.

Abstract: A system for implanting a medical electrical lead includes an elongated lead body and a relatively non-compliant lead extension joined to a proximal end of the proximal portion of the lead body. The lead body includes a plurality of connector rings positioned about a proximal portion of the lead body. The lead extension includes a plurality of temporary contact surfaces and a plurality of conductors wherein each conductor joins a temporary contact surface to a corresponding connector ring.

Abstract: An implantable lead includes an insulative sheath and a coil member; the coil member including a conductor wound from a proximal end of the coil member to a distal end and reverse wound back toward the proximal end to form an electrode on an outer diameter of the coil member adjacent and distal to the insulative sheath.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a compressible portion that expands to accept an inserted lead and then contracts around the lead to provide both an electrical and a spring-like mechanical connection to the lead. The connector may have a fluted pin that collapses around the lead body when a set screw of the connector port is tightened. Alternatively, a middle segment of a pin may have indentations or slots that collapse around an inserted lead body. The connector can be attached to the lead body after the lead body is implanted in the body of the patient. In lead systems in which the lead body is implanted using a guide catheter, attaching the connector to the lead body after implantation makes removal of the guide catheter much less difficult.

Abstract: An implantable lead includes an insulative sheath and a coil member; the coil member including a conductor wound from a proximal end of the coil member to a distal end and reverse wound back toward the proximal end to form an electrode on an outer diameter of the coil member adjacent and distal to the insulative sheath.

Abstract: A lead for delivering electrical signals to and/or receive electrical signals from a human heart that includes a solid inner conductor, and a fixation device having a titanium nitride coated surface and electrically coupled to the inner conductor. A steroid is applied to the titanium nitride surface of the fixation device, and at least one layer of insulation is positioned around the inner conductor. A conductive coil is positioned around and is insulated from the inner conductor, an electrode ring electrically coupled to the conductive coil is positioned around and is electrically isolated from the inner conductor, and an insulating spacer is positioned between and electrically isolates the ring electrode and the fixation device.

Abstract: A device for delivering an implantable medical device to a target site in a heart along a predetermined pathway that includes a generally straight first portion extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a curved second portion extending from the distal end of the first portion to a distal end of the device.

Abstract: Medical electrical leads adapted to be implanted within the body, and particularly such leads having at least one distal electrode affixed at a site of a body organ, particularly the epicardium of the heart, employing a light-activated adhesive fixation, and methods and systems for accessing the site, applying the distal electrode to the site, and activating the light-activated adhesive. The lead is preferably implanted by performing a thoracoscopy of the thorax of the patient to visualize the site of the epicardium through a thoracoscope and to provide a pathway to the site of the epicardium. While viewing the site of the epicardium through the thoracoscope, the electrode head is inserted through the provided pathway to apply the plate against the site of the epicardium, and the light-activated adhesive is exposed to a predetermined bandwidth of light to adhere the plate to the epicardium.

Abstract: An electrical lead equipped with cathode and anode active succession electrodes for positioning in the vicinity of the His bundle tissue. The lead includes a lead body for carrying conductors coupled between electrodes located at or near the distal lead end and a connector assembly located at the proximal lead end for connecting to an implantable pacemaker. The electrode is shaped, at the distal end, for positioning and attachment in the His bundle and branches thereof, cathode and anode electrodes co-extensive with the lead body. The cathode and anode electrodes may be helical screw-in type or equivalent electrodes adapted for secure fixation deep within the His bundle tissue or the tissue in the vicinity of the His bundle.

Abstract: This invention is an electrical stimulation apparatus for delivering an electrical field or electrical current over a predetermined period of time to a vascular tissue (150) in order to stimulate a cell initiated thrombolytic peptide response in cells within the vascular tissue. The electrical stimulation apparatus includes an electrical field or electrical current generating unit including a power support, a control mechanism interconnected with the power supply, and a plurality of electrodes designed to generate an electrical field or electrical current proximal to, or within to the vascular tissue. The amplitude of the electrical field or electrical current delivered to or generated proximal to, or within the vascular tissue, and the duration of the period of delivery are sufficient to stimulate production of thrombolytic peptides in the vascular tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus providing pacing to improve the hemodynamics of the heart for patients with AV nodal block, right/left bundle branch block, and heart failure. A lead body having at least one conductor with an insulative sleeve is introduced into the right atrium of a heart. A partially masked helical electrode connected to the conductor is then secured preferably into the atrial aspect of the atrioventricular septum. The electrical conductor is then rotated such that an unmasked portion of the electrode is moved to a depth within the heart tissue substantially near the heart's intrinsic conduction system. This method and apparatus allow pacing in a natural manner via low power stimulation of the heart's intrinsic conduction system.

Abstract: A system for implanting a medical electrical lead includes an elongated lead body and a relatively non-compliant lead extension joined to a proximal end of the proximal portion of the lead body. The lead body includes a plurality of connector rings positioned about a proximal portion of the lead body. The lead extension includes a plurality of temporary contact surfaces and a plurality of conductors wherein each conductor joins a temporary contact surface to a corresponding connector ring.