Medtronic, Inc.

Mark J. Paulsen

Jennifer P. Miller

Michael J. Ebert

Jennifer P Miller

Michael Jay Ebert

Joseph F Lessar

Mark D Breyen

Robert E Kraska

Naim S Istephanous

Mark J Paulsen

Bruce D Gunderson

Walter H Olson

ShaileshKumar V Musley

Kenneth B Stokes

William John Taylor

Douglas J Weiss

James E Upton

Richard Dean Ries

Joseph J Klein

James H Vaughan

Michael J Ebert

A technique for identifying lead-related conditions, such as insulation breaches and/or externalization of lead conductors, includes analyzing characteristics of electrical signals generated on one or more electrode sensing vectors of the lead by a test signal to determine whether a lead-related condition exists. The characteristics of the electrical signals induced on the lead by the test signal may be significantly different on a lead having an insulation breach or externalized conductor than on a lead not having such lead-related conditions. As such, the implantable medical device may be subject to a known test signal and analyze the signals on the lead to detect lead-related conditions.

Identifying lead insulation breaches and externalization of lead conductors

An implantable lead having a silicone rubber lead body which has a reduced coefficient of friction on an internal or external surface. The reduction in coefficient of friction is accomplished by extruding a tubular lead body to define a plurality of small parallel longitudinally extending grooves on the inner or outer surface of the lead body. The grooves may be formed by means of a die having inwardly or outwardly directed projections that form the grooves during the extrusion process. The formation of the grooves during extrusion provides a lead body having a lower coefficient of friction without the necessity of additional manufacturing process steps and without additional manufacturing costs.

Textured silicone tubing for electrical pacing leads

A medical electrical lead and a reinforced silicone elastomer used therein. The silicone elastomer used therein is preferably made from a novel silica reinforced polysiloxane material, which after vulcanization by cross-linking exhibits improved mechanical properties. The medical electrical lead features a an electrode at a distal end thereof, a connector at a proximal end thereof and an elongated electrical conductor extending between the electrode and the connector, the conductor in electrical contact with the electrode at a distal end and in electrical contact with the connector at a proximal end, the conductor comprised of a plurality of wires or wire bundles wound in a multifilar coil configuration.

Medical electrical lead and reinforced silicone elastomer compositions

A lead insulator which provides resistance to tearing and/or abrasion for implantable flexible electrical lead insulators having a body of silicone elastomer material. A relatively thin layer of a second silicone is applied as an overcoat to a more substantial primary or first insulator body. The second silicone is more resistant to tearing and/or abrasion than the elastomer comprising the body of the insulator. Because tearing and/or abrasion are surface phenomena, only a relatively thin layer of the second material is particularly required and the mechanical properties of the primary material will determine the overall mechanical properties of the lead insulatior per se.

Electrical lead insulator

A medical electrical lead of the type which includes an electrode at a distal end of the lead a connector at a proximal end of the lead and an elongated electrical conductor extending between the electrode and the connector. The conductor is comprised of a wire wound in a coil configuration with the wire comprised of a super austenitic stainless steel having a composition of at least 22% nickel and 2% molybdenum. Material of such composition has been found to have suitable conductivity for use with implantable pulse generators and suitable fatigue strength when used in endocardial lead placement. Moreover, such material has been found to pass tests intended to detect metal ion oxidation (MIO) in polymeric materials.

Medical electrical lead with super austentic stainless steel conductor

A medical electrical lead of the type which includes an electrode at a distal end of the lead a connector at a proximal end of the lead and an elongated electrical conductor extending between the electrode and the connector. The conductor is comprised of a wire wound in a coil configuration with the wire comprised of a duplex titanium alloy. Materials of such composition have been found to have suitable conductivity for use with implantable pulse generators and suitable fatigue strength when used in endocardial lead placement. Moreover, such materials have been found to pass tests intended to detect metal ion oxidation (MIO) in susceptible polymeric materials.

Medical electrical lead

A medical electrical lead of the type which includes an electrode at a distal end of the lead a connector at a proximal end of the lead and an elongated electrical conductor extending between the electrode and the connector. The conductor is comprised of a wire wound in a coil configuration with the wire comprised of a duplex stainless steel having a composition of at least 22% chromium, 3% molybdenum and 5% nickel. Material of such composition has been found to have suitable conductivity for use with implantable pulse generators and suitable fatigue strength when used in endocardial lead placement. Moreover, such material has been found to pass tests intended to detect metal ion oxidation (MIO) in polymeric materials.

A lithium battery having a weldable feedthrough which is compatible with liquid electrolytes containing organic solvents and lithium salts under long term use conditions. The feedthrough comprises a pin of niobium or tantalum and ductile alloys thereof and a low silica insulating glass positioned around a portion of the pin in sealing engagement with the pin. The feedthrough is assembled into an aperture of the battery case where it provides an electrically conductive pathway from the anode or cathode to the exterior of the case and provides a hermetic seal.

Growing community of inventors

Elk River, MN, United States of America

Jennifer P Miller