Abstract: A fixation member of an electrode assembly for an implantable medical device includes a tissue engaging portion extending along a circular path, between a piercing distal tip thereof and a fixed end of the member. The circular path extends around a longitudinal axis of the assembly. A helical structure of the assembly, which includes an electrode surface formed thereon and a piercing distal tip, also extends around the longitudinal axis and is located within a perimeter of the circular path. The tissue engaging portion of the fixation member extends from the distal tip thereof in a direction along the circular path that is the same as that in which the helical structure extends from the distal tip thereof. The electrode assembly may include a pair of the fixation members, wherein each tissue engaging portion may extend approximately one half turn along the circular path.

Abstract: An implantable passive fixation lead is disclosed. The passive fixation lead comprises an elongate lead body having at least one elongate conductive element. The lead body includes a proximal end and a distal end. A support member has a first surface and a second surface. The second surface is coupled to the distal end of the lead body. A linking material is coupled to the first surface of the support member. A bioadhesive material is coupled to the linking material. A removable cover is placed over the bioadhesive material.

Abstract: A method of placing an electrical lead of an implantable cardiac device inside a heart of a patient. The method includes securing a tool to an atrial appendage of the heart to hold onto the atrial appendage, piercing the atrial appendage, and creating an aperture in the atrial appendage while holding the atrial appendage with the tool. The method also includes moving a distal end of the electrical lead into the heart through the aperture in the atrial appendage and into a ventricle of the heart. Furthermore, the method includes coupling the distal end of the electrical lead to cardiac tissue in the ventricle and delivering an electrical signal to the cardiac tissue in the ventricle of the heart to maintain a predetermined heartbeat of the heart.

Abstract: The present invention is a molecular nano film formed on a surface of an implantable medical device to provide a barrier to tissue attachment. The film comprises self-assembling cross-linking molecules.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods for using compositions to inhibit microbial growth on a surface of a medical device having the composition applied thereto, to medical devices having the composition applied to a surface thereof and to methods for using the compositions to coat medical devices.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead may include components or mechanisms that can reduce the amount of induced current that is conducted to electrodes of the lead. A medical lead may, for example, have an energy dissipating structure that is connected to an electrode of the lead. This disclosure provides for coupling mechanisms to couple current induced on the lead to the energy dissipating structure. The coupling mechanisms described herein provide continuous contact with both electrode shaft and the energy dissipating structure while producing forces on the electrode shaft that is small enough to permit extension and retraction of the electrode from the lead.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead may include components or mechanisms that can reduce the amount of induced current that is conducted to electrodes of the lead. A medical lead may, for example, have an energy dissipating structure that is connected to an electrode of the lead. This disclosure provides for coupling mechanisms to couple current induced on the lead to the energy dissipating structure. The coupling mechanisms described herein provide continuous contact with both electrode shaft and the energy dissipating structure while producing forces on the electrode shaft that is small enough to permit extension and retraction of the electrode from the lead.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead may include components or mechanisms that can reduce the amount of induced current that is conducted to electrodes of the lead. A medical lead may, for example, have an energy dissipating structure that is connected to an electrode of the lead. This disclosure provides for coupling mechanisms to couple current induced on the lead to the energy dissipating structure. The coupling mechanisms described herein provide continuous contact with both electrode shaft and the energy dissipating structure while producing forces on the electrode shaft that is small enough to permit extension and retraction of the electrode from the lead.

Abstract: A transseptal catheter delivery system includes an elongate first tubular member and an elongate second tubular member receivable within the first tubular member. The first tubular member includes an adjustable portion adjacent a distal end. The second tubular member is adapted to receive an instrument to be placed in the left ventricle, and includes a curved portion adjacent its distal end in a relaxed state. The adjustable portion is deflectable toward the atrial septum to guide a puncturing tool and/or guide insertion of the second tubular member through a septal puncture into the left atrium. Within the left atrium, the curved portion is oriented toward the left ventricle to guide insertion of a guide wire, and subsequently the second tubular member, into the left ventricle. Methods of transvenously accessing a left ventricle are also provided.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a housing and a coating disposed on the housing. The coating includes a conductive carrier and a therapeutic agent, e.g. an anti-infective agent such as silver particles. The conductive carrier can be any suitable conductive material, such as iridium oxide, titanium nitride, diamond-like carbon, graphite, polyaniline, platinum, carbon nanotubes, carbon black, platinum black, or poly 3,4,-ethylenedioxythiophene. Coatings containing iridium oxide and metallic silver particles are effective in inhibiting bacterial growth in vitro.

Abstract: Methods of attaching a ligand to a surface are described that include contacting a surface with a substrate containing an amphiphilic comb polymer. The substrate is configured to provide a pattern of the amphiphilic comb polymer on a selected region of the surface. The substrate can be separated from the surface leaving the amphiphilic comb polymer on the selected region of the surface, thus providing a selected region of the surface having amphiphilic comb polymer on it. A ligand can then be deposited on the surface such that the selected region of the surface having the amphiphilic comb polymer is substantially free of the ligand.

Abstract: Methods of attaching a ligand to a surface are described that include contacting a surface with a substrate containing an amphiphilic comb polymer. The substrate is configured to provide a pattern of the amphiphilic comb polymer on a selected region of the surface. The substrate can be separated from the surface leaving the amphiphilic comb polymer on the selected region of the surface, thus providing a selected region of the surface having amphiphilic comb polymer on it. A ligand can then be deposited on the surface such that the selected region of the surface having the amphiphilic comb polymer is substantially free of the ligand.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical implant may include a pharmaceutical and at least one excipient, and may be configured to be implanted in a body of a patient. The at least one excipient may dissolve after implantation of the pharmaceutical implant in the body of the patient and release the pharmaceutical. In some examples, the pharmaceutical implant includes at least two pharmaceuticals. The at least one excipient may be selected to provide a desired release profile of the pharmaceutical. For example, the pharmaceutical implant may be configured to dissolve and release the pharmaceutical over a length of time between about one day and about 30 days. In some examples, the pharmaceutical implant may be implanted in the body of the patient proximate to an implantable medical device.

Abstract: An implantable electrical medical device and method for manufacturing the same are provided. The method includes forming a conductive substrate, placing the conductive substrate in a deposition chamber; and forming a conformal coating over the conductive substrate using atomic layer deposition. In various embodiments, the conformal coating is a conductive coating and in other embodiments the conformal coating is a dielectric coating.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods for using compositions to inhibit microbial growth on a surface of a medical device having the composition applied thereto, to medical devices having the composition applied to a surface thereof and to methods for using the compositions to coat medical devices.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an implantable electrical medical device includes forming a conductive substrate, placing the conductive substrate in a deposition chamber; and forming a conformal coating over the conductive substrate using atomic layer deposition. In various embodiments, the conformal coating is a conductive coating and in other embodiments the conformal coating is a dielectric coating.

Abstract: An antimicrobial accessory may include a pressure sensitive adhesive and an antimicrobial mixed in the pressure sensitive adhesive. In some examples, an antimicrobial accessory may include at least one first domain comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive and a first antimicrobial and at least one second domain including a second polymer and a second antimicrobial. The antimicrobial accessory may be configured to be attached to a housing of an implantable medical device (IMD).

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for optimizing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may include one or more of the following steps: (a) conducting a baseline measurement of a physical parameter of a patient before initiating CRT, (b) performing an implantation process including implanting a pacing device and pacing leads in the patient, the pacing device and pacing leads for providing the CRT, (c) initiating CRT on the patient, (d) measuring the physical parameter of the patient after initiation of the CRT, (e) comparing the measured physical parameter after initiation of the CRT to the baseline measure of the physical parameter to analyze the patient's response to the CRT, (f) adjusting the CRT during the implantation process to try and improve the patient's response to the CRT, and (g) repositioning at least one of the patient leads during the implantation process to try and improve the patient's response to the CRT.

Abstract: An implantable biosensor system is disclosed for determining levels of cardiac markers in a patient to aid in the diagnosis, determination of the severity and management of cardiovascular diseases. The sensor includes nanowire sensor elements having a biological recognition element attached to a nanowire transducer that specifically binds to the cardiac marker being measured. Each of the sensor elements is associated with a protective member that prevents the sensor element from interacting with the surrounding environment. At a selected time, the protective member may be disabled, thereby allowing the sensor element to begin sensing signals within a living body.

Abstract: An implantable biosensor system is disclosed for determining levels of cardiac markers in a patient to aid in the diagnosis, determination of the severity and management of cardiovascular diseases. The sensor includes nanowire sensor elements having a biological recognition element attached to a nanowire transducer that specifically binds to the cardiac marker being measured. Each of the sensor elements is associated with a protective member that prevents the sensor element from interacting with the surrounding environment. At a selected time, the protective member may be disabled, thereby allowing the sensor element to begin sensing signals within a living body.