Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongated tube and an elongated rod having a holding member on one end, the holding member is adapted to hold an end of a lead such that the end of the lead can be pulled through the elongated tube resulting in minimal forces on the lead.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for generating a cardiac pressure-volume loop, the implantable medical device comprising a pulse generator including control circuitry, a first cardiac lead including a proximal end and a distal end and coupled to the pulse generator at the proximal end, a first electrode located at the distal end of the cardiac lead and operatively coupled to the control circuitry, a sound sensor operatively coupled to the control circuitry, and a pressure sensor operatively coupled to the control circuitry, wherein the implantable medical device is adapted for measuring intracardiac impedance. A method of using the implantable medical device to optimize therapy delivered to the heart.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongated tube and an elongated rod having a holding member on one end, the holding member is adapted to hold an end of a lead such that the end of the lead can be pulled through the elongated tube resulting in minimal forces on the lead.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a lead body extending longitudinally along a lead axis, a driver axially displaceable relative to the lead body, and a driven member coupled to the lead body and displaceable away from the lead axis. The driven member at least partially defines an expandable passage having at least one internal dimension. The driver is displaceable into the expandable passage and has at least one outer dimension that is larger than the at least one internal dimension of the expandable passage. An example method includes disposing a first member having a first cross-section in a lead assembly having a lead axis, an expandable passage, and a displaceable member proximate the expandable passage. The method further includes urging the first member into the expandable passage in the lead assembly, and urging the displaceable member away from the lead axis to expand the expandable passage.

Abstract: A system to measure intracardiac impedance includes implantable electrodes and a medical device. The electrodes sense electrical signals of a heart of a subject. The medical device includes a cardiac signal sensing circuit coupled to the implantable electrodes, an impedance measurement circuit coupled to the same or different implantable electrodes, and a controller circuit coupled to the cardiac signal sensing circuit and the impedance measurement circuit. The cardiac signal sensing circuit provides a sensed cardiac signal. The impedance measurement circuit senses intracardiac impedance between the electrodes to obtain an intracardiac impedance signal. The controller circuit determines cardiac cycles of the subject using the sensed cardiac signal, and detects tachyarrhythmia using cardiac-cycle to cardiac-cycle changes in a plurality of intracardiac impedance parameters obtained from the intracardiac impedance signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present subject matter relate to a lead. Various lead embodiments comprise a lead body including a first portion, a first branch and a second branch. The first portion has an end adapted to connect to an implantable medical device. The first branch and the second branch is connected to the first portion at a bifurcated region. The first branch includes a distal end adapted to be fed into a right pulmonary artery and to securely position at least one electrode within the right pulmonary artery. The second branch includes a distal end adapted to be fed into a left pulmonary artery and to securely position at least one electrode within the left pulmonary artery. Other embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present subject matter relate to a method. According to various method embodiments, at least one lead is inserted through a pulmonary artery to securely position at least one electrode within the pulmonary artery. Neural stimulation is applied to a neural stimulation target using the at least one lead in the pulmonary artery. An atrial rhythm management activity, including at least one of capturing atrial tissue using the at least one lead and sensing an intrinsic atrial event, is performed using the at least one lead in the pulmonary artery. Other embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: A lead includes a lead body having an expandable section. A plurality of electrodes are disposed on the expandable section. The expandable section is adapted to expand against an inner surface of a heart so as to position at least one of the plurality of electrodes at or near an SA node of the heart.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a cardiac lead device including a fixation mechanism slidably attached to the lead such that when the fixation mechanism is expanded into contact with a body lumen, the lead may be moved relative to the fixation mechanism if desired. Such lead movement may be limited by complimentary structure on the lead body and the fixation mechanism that prevents the lead from moving unless sufficient force is applied to the lead.

Abstract: A medical device for use with an implantable lead includes a force monitoring system coupled with the device. The force monitoring system monitors force placed on the medical device and/or the lead. Optionally the system compares the force with a preset limit, and notifies a user once the preset limit has been reached.

Abstract: An implantable medical device senses a plurality of electrograms from substantially different atrial locations, detects regional depolarizations from the electrograms, and analyzes timing relationships among the regional depolarizations. The timing relationships provide a basis for effective therapy control and/or prognosis of certain cardiac disorders. In one embodiment, an atrial activation sequence is mapped to show the order of occurrences of the regional depolarizations during an atrial depolarization for classifying a detected tachyarrhythmia by its origin. In another embodiment, conduction time between two atrial locations is measured for monitoring the development of an abnormal atrial conditions and/or the effect of a therapy.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for delivering a pulmonary artery lead into a pulmonary artery includes a delivery device having an inflatable balloon at a distal end. The device is inserted into the venous system, the balloon is inflated and the device is floated along a blood flow path within the venous system through the heart and into the pulmonary artery. The lead is delivered into the pulmonary artery using the device. In one embodiment, the device is a catheter that facilitates placement of an implantation catheter and/or a guide wire into the pulmonary artery for delivery of the lead. In another embodiment, the lead is mounted over the catheter. In yet another embodiment, the delivery device is formed at the distal end of the lead.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for delivering a right ventricular lead into a right ventricle includes a delivery device having an inflatable balloon at a distal end. The device is inserted into the venous system, the balloon is inflated and the device is floated along a blood flow path within the venous system through the heart and into the pulmonary artery. The lead is delivered into the right ventricle using the device. In one embodiment, the device is a catheter that facilitates placement of a guide wire into the right ventricle for delivery of the lead. The catheter is then removed and the lead is inserted into the right ventricle over the guide wire.

Abstract: A lead includes a lead body and an electrode disposed proximate a distal end of the lead body. A retaining member is disposed proximate the distal end of the lead and adapted to retain the electrode proximate an interatrial septum when the retaining member is located on a left atrial side of the interatrial septum.

Abstract: A lead has a flexible lead body which extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The lead body has a conductor coupled with an electrode. At least a portion of the conductor includes a layer of echogenic material encapsulated by the lead body. Alternatively, the echogenic material includes a coating of material. Optionally, the layer of echogenic material is disposed on at least a portion of the conductor or on one or more portions of the conductor.

Abstract: An implantable lead assembly includes a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end having an intermediate portion therebetween, where the lead body includes an insulating layer. A conductor is disposed within the insulating layer and the insulating layer surrounds the conductor. An electrode is coupled to the lead body, and the electrode is in electrical communication with the conductor. At least one conductive sleeve is disposed within the insulating layer. The at least one conductive sleeve surrounds the conductor and is electrically isolated from the electrode. The at least one conductive sleeve has a first impedance value in a first condition.

Abstract: A lead comprising both a main lead and a transverse lead. The main lead includes a main lead body with a longitudinal axis and at least one electrode. The Transverse lead includes a transverse lead body and at least one electrode, where the transverse lead body extends laterally from the main lead body and curves around the longitudinal axis of the main lead body to partially encircle at least a portion of the main lead. In one embodiment, the transverse lead is adapted to press the at least one electrode on the transverse lead against endocardial tissue. At least a portion of the main lead and at least a portion of the transverse lead are both adapted to be housed within and pass through an implant catheter. In an alternative embodiment, there is a lead system which comprises a first lead and a second lead, where the second lead includes a sleeve, where the first lead is adapted to move through the sleeve to attach the first lead to the second lead.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongated tube and an elongated rod having a holding member on one end, the holding member is adapted to hold an end of a lead such that the end of the lead can be pulled through the elongated tube resulting in minimal forces on the lead.

Abstract: A lead includes a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having an intermediate portion. A shocking electrode is disposed proximate the distal end of the lead body, and a pacing electrode is disposed along the intermediate portion of the lead body. The distal end of the lead body includes a pre-formed biased shape.

Abstract: A lead body extends from a proximal end to a distal end and includes an intermediate portion and an electrode disposed along the intermediate portion. The distal end of the lead includes a pre-formed, biased shape adapted to passively fixate the distal end of the lead within a pulmonary artery with the electrode positioned against the ventricular septum or ventricular outflow tract. The lead body can include a curved portion and a second electrode disposed along the curved portion, wherein the second electrode is positioned a distance from the first electrode such that the second electrode is within the right atrium when the first electrode is positioned against the ventricular septum or ventricular outflow tract.