Medtronic, Inc.

Corinne A G Poor

Kenneth C Gardeski

William J Clemens

Jeremy J Odegard

A deflectable stylet system optimized for use in conjunction with a lead of the type having a fixation helix that is screwed into body tissue by rotation of the lead's connector pin is disclosed. The system includes an attachment that is rotatable and longitudinally slidable with respect to the handle of a deflectable stylet. A lead coupled to the attachment may be moved longitudinally with respect to a stylet to account for slight variances in the lead length. In one embodiment, the attachment couples to the lead via a pushbutton mechanism that can be locked to the lead using one hand. The attachment may be rotated to thereby rotate the lead connector. This allows for retraction and extension of a retractable fixation helix, and for further attachment or detachment of a fixation helix to adjacent tissue. In one embodiment, the attachment may be longitudinally rigidly positioned in predetermined locations with respect to the handle. According to another aspect of the system, a deflection device is coupled to the handle to facilitate deflection of the stylet. In one embodiment, this deflection device may be rotatably and/or slidably activated to accomplish the stylet deflection. The system allows a user to adjust lead length with respect to the stylet length, and to further perform stylet deflection and lead rotation all with one hand.

Method and apparatus for deflecting a screw-in lead

A steerable guidewire or stylet that has increased torsional strength is disclosed. A braided structure located in the vicinity of at least the distal end of the guidewire or stylet provides for a more efficient transfer of rotational force over the length of the guidewire or stylet. The braided structure may be comprised of a flat metal ribbon wire that may optionally be reinforced with a polyimide. According to one aspect of the invention, the stylet includes an outer member, and a pull-wire located within the outer member. The pull-wire is coupled to the distal tip of the outer member such that when tension is applied to the pull-wire, the distal tip of the outer member is deflected. The distal tip of the outer member may be formed of a material having superelastic properties such as a nickel titanium alloy, whereas the proximal portion of the stylet may be formed of a material having more torsional strength. The distal tip of the outer member may further include at least one aperture to provide a preferred bending direction when tension is applied to the pull-wire. Pull-wire is retained within the at least one aperture by the braided structure. According to another aspect of the invention, a handle is provided that includes both rotatable and slidable mechanisms to facilitate deflection of the distal tip portion of the outer member. In one embodiment, the handle may be adapted for use with a lead extension tool.

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Roseville, MN, United States of America

Corinne A G Poor