Medtronic, Inc.

Jean J G Rutten

Karel F A A Smits

Markus J C Lazeroms

William John Havel

Paulus Cornelis Van Venrooij

Karel F Smits

Nicolaas M Lokhoff

Paulus G Adams

Ron Van Der Kruk

Paul Adams

Antoine N J M Camps

Leonardus J C Kretzers

An implantable medical device is provided for sensing cardiac activity within a patient's body. The device comprises a canister, control circuitry disposed within the canister, and a lead assembly extending from the canister. At least one sense electrode is coupled to the circuitry and disposed on the lead assembly for sensing cardiac activity. At least one spacer is coupled between the lead assembly and the canister for maintaining a minimum predetermined distance between the at least one sense electrode and the canister.

Implantable medical device

A medical device that includes a lead having a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and a housing having a connector block for receiving the proximal end of the lead body. A fixation mechanism is positioned proximal to an electrode coil located at the distal end of the lead body, and a fixation member or a plurality of fixation members extend from the fixation mechanism from a fixation member proximal end to a fixation member distal end. The fixation members are advanceable from a first position corresponding to the fixation member distal end being positioned along the lead during subcutaneous placement of the lead, to a second position corresponding to the fixation member distal end being positioned away from the lead to fixedly engage the lead at a target site.

Subcutaneous lead fixation mechanisms

A subcutaneous implantable device is provided that includes a defibrillation electrode disposed along a portion of a lead, and a lead tip connected to the lead. The lead tip includes a trailing end coupled to a distal end of the lead, and first and second non-parallel sides extending from the trailing end that converge to a leading end that is configured to wedge between tissue layers as the lead is advanced subcutaneously.

Subcutaneous implantable lead

The invention is directed to medical leads for use with implantable medical devices. Various features of medical leads are described, many of which may be useful in a variety of different leads, e.g., used in a variety of different applications. In one embodiment, the invention provides a medical lead of varying stiffness characteristics. In another embodiment, the invention provides a medical lead having a semi-conical shaped distal tip that becomes wider at more distal tip locations. In either case, described lead features may be particularly useful for J-shaped lead configurations used for implantation in a patient's right atrium. Many other types of leads, however, could also benefit from various aspects of the invention.

Implantable medical lead designs

A subcutaneously implantable lead includes a coil disposed along a portion of the lead, and a lead tip coupled to a distal end of the lead. The lead tip includes at least one component that is movable relative to the distal end of the lead and configured to anchor the lead tip in subcutaneous tissue.

Subcutaneously implantable lead including distal fixation mechanism

A fixation device for a subcutaneous implantable medical device includes a deformable tip portion that reduces in width when coupled with a fixation tool such that implantation of the implantable medical device through tissue is facilitated. Upon release from the fixation tool, the fixation device returns to its initial shape and stably secures the position of the implantable medical device.

Implantable medical device system with fixation member

A medical electrical lead having an elongated lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a first electrode positioned at the distal end of the lead body, a second electrode spaced proximally from the first electrode, the second electrode being a flexible conductive coil and having a distal end. A first electrode sleeve is coupled to the first electrode, and a second electrode sleeve is coupled to the second electrode and positioned within the proximal end of the lead body and proximal the distal end of the second electrode to provide flexibility in a distal lead body portion.

Medical electrical lead and delivery system

Elongated medical instruments adapted to be permanently or temporarily implanted in the mammalian body or used to access a site in the body to facilitate introduction of a further medical device, and methods and apparatus for deflecting the distal end and imparting curves in distal segments of such medical instruments within the body by manipulation of a proximal segment of the instrument outside the body are disclosed. Multiple portions of distal segments of a single one or distal segments of coaxially arranged distal segments of deflectable coiled wires are formed each having a line of spacers each functioning as a backbone along a side of the wire coil and formed in a variety of ways. One or more elongated movable wire extends through a coil lumen to one or more attachment point distal to each portion that can be pushed to widen and/or pulled to narrow the spacing of coil turns across the coil diameter from the line to induce a bend in all more proximal portions.

Method and apparatus for imparting curves in implantable elongated medical instruments

A medical instrument including a body extending between proximal and distal ends and enclosing an elongated, inelastic, pull wire extending between a pull wire proximal end affixed at a point at or near the proximal end and a pull wire distal end affixed at or near the distal end. The wire extends through a lumen off-set from the instrument axis and through a distal segment of the body that is to be curved for deflection at the distal end. A proximal segment of the instrument axially stretches when tension is applied to increase the length of the proximal segment from a relaxed length. A hand-held tool engages the proximal and distal ends of the proximal segment and manually applies a selective amount of tension that stretches the proximal segment from its relaxed length.

Method and apparatus for imparting curves in elongated implantable medical instruments

A medical electrical lead and introducer system. The lead is a single pass, dual chamber lead, which features in one embodiment an atrial tine. The introducer system is particularly designed for introduction of single pass, dual chamber lead which has an atrial tine. The introducer system facilitates the introduction of a such lead into a patient's heart while safeguarding the tine from damage due to kinking during lead positioning. The lead is a single pass lead which features an atrial tine while the introducer system is particularly designed for introduction of a such lead into a patient's heart so as to safeguard the tine from damage due to kinking during lead positioning. The lead is designed so as to electrically couple both the atrium and the ventricular chambers of the heart. The lead generally features several lengths each having differing stiffness as well as a pre-formed bend. The lead also features a atrial tine having an electrode at the tip. Due to the relatively fragile as well as difficult to maneuver lead, an introducer system is also disclosed. The introducer system is particularly designed to introduce such a lead. In use a removable tubing split element surrounds the atrial tine area of the lead while it is disposed through the introducer sheath, the split element both blocks the tine from lateral movement and fills up the space between the lead body and the introducer, thereby preventing blood leakage through the introducer. The element also has a longitudinal split for receiving the atrial tine while holding it against transverse movement when the lead is being repositioned. After optimal positioning of the lead, the tubing split element is withdrawn, and then the introducer is withdrawn. The tubing split element is a generally cylindrical piece of TEFLON, here called a tube split element, or just a &ldquo;tube split&rdquo;, is positioned around the lead body in the atrial tine area. The tube split element has a thickness which substantially fills the radial gap between the smaller diameter lead body and the introducer inner cylindrical wall, and has a longitudinal separation, or split, which accommodates the atrial tine, thereby permitting the tine to extend longitudinally but not transversely. The tubing split element is preferably mounted on the lead at the time of lead assembly. It has a length sufficient to extend proximally out of the introducer so that it can be withdrawn, and has a longitudinal tear line whereby the element can be separated and removed from the lead after final positioning of the lead.

Growing community of inventors

Bocholtz, Netherlands

Jean J G Rutten