Medtronic, Inc.

David G Schaenzer

Bret R Shoberg

Wayne M Hector

Mike R Klardie

Amy K Kessler

Thomas J Majewski

David W Scott

Andrew J Ries

Timothy G Laske

Gregory A Boser

Jay K Lahti

Jon M Ocel

Mark A Hjelle

Pedro A Meregotte

Sandra F Viktora

Hui Jin

Clare E Padgett

Mark Mabel

An implantable medical device system that includes a housing containing an electrical circuit and a connector header mounted on the housing. A first inner surface of the connector header forms a connector bore adapted for receiving a lead connector assembly for electrically coupling a medical lead to the circuitry contained in the housing, and one of the connector header and the lead connector includes a visibly modified surface for facilitating visual verification of full insertion of the medical lead connector assembly in the connector bore.

Lead insertion visibility

IPG connector headers for implantable medical devices are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, an IPG connector header having a header bore for receiving and making electrical connection to a lead connector assembly of an implantable medical device comprises a non-conductive header base and a plurality of electrically conductive header connector elements disposed within the header base. A plurality of electrically insulative fluid seals are interposed between the header connector elements. Each fluid seal has a fluid seal bore and is formed from an elastomeric material and an additive. The additive is formulated to reduce the frictional forces required to insert the lead connector assembly through the fluid seal bores of the fluid seals.

IPG connector headers for implantable medical devices

Methods for sensing or electrical stimulation of body organs or tissues are disclosed wherein a lead conductor wire or filament of a stranded lead conductor generates a radioactive emission when it is fractured sufficiently or is completely broken. The conductor wire or filament is formed of an inner core and an outer sheath surrounding the inner core, wherein the inner core is irradiated or is formed of a radioactive isotope in an alloy that provides an enhanced radiopaque aura when the sheath is fractured and the inner core is exposed. When the conductor wire or filament is intact, the radioactive inner core is fully encased within the outer sheath, and the outer sheath blocks or reduces radioactive emission along its length to a constant, relatively low level. In use, the emission is detected externally to the body, and the detection signifies that a fracture or break has occurred. Such leads preferably comprise cardiac leads for delivering electrical stimulation to the heart, e.g., pacing pulses and cardioversion/defibrillation shocks, and/or sensing the cardiac electrogram, having multiple lead conductors encased in a lead body subject to fracture under stress. The lead conductors can comprise mono-filar or multi-filar, parallel wound, coiled wires that arranged in a co-axial manner or in a side-by-side arrangement within the lead body. Or the straight or coiled lead conductors can be formed of a strand comprising a plurality of outer filaments wound helically about a central core filament or of a cable comprising a plurality of such peripheral strands wound helically about a central core strand. At least the outer filaments of a stranded conductor and peripheral strands of a conductor cable are formed with the radioactive core.

Medical lead conductor fracture visualization method and apparatus

An implantable medical electrical lead having a lead body including a stranded or cabled conductor extending therein and an electrical connector mounted to a proximal end of the lead body and coupled to the stranded or cabled conductor and having a fabric tube molded into a proximal portion of the lead body adjacent the electrical connector. The fabric may be a polyester mesh formed or rolled into a tube and is preferably molded into the proximal portion of said lead body adjacent its exterior surface. The proximal portion of the lead body may be fabricated of silicone rubber or polyurethane.

Method to stiffen and provide abrasion to connector end of leads

A medical electrical lead having an elongated lead body provided with an internal longitudinally extending lumen carrying an elongated stranded or cabled conductor and an electrode coil, located on said lead body. The coil is coupled to the conductor by a conductive sleeve having a tubular portion which has an internal lumen through which the conductor passes and a groove or bore which engages only a portion of a turn or turns of the electrode coil, such that the coil is oriented generally perpendicular to the internal lumen of said sleeve and to the conductor.

Medical electrical lead

Growing community of inventors

Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

David G Schaenzer