Medtronic, Inc.

Jon M Ocel

Scott Eric Jahns

David E Francischelli

David Lipson

Donald N Jensen

James R Keogh

Michael F Hoey

Timothy G Laske

Rahul Mehra

Paul V Trescony

Richard H Comben

Robert M Pearson

Gregory P Werness

Matthew David Bonner

Roderick E Briscoe

Gregory A Boser

Mark A Hjelle

Greg P Werness

Timothy W Holleman

Bret R Shoberg

Pedro A Meregotte

James T Gates

Sandra F Viktora

Katherine S Jolly

David G Schaenzer

Clare E Padgett

Randolph Ahnen

Mark Mabel

An instrument including an elongated shaft and a non-conductive handle is disclosed. The shaft defines a proximal section and a distal section. The distal section forms an electrically conductive tip. Further, the shaft is adapted to be transitionable from a straight state to a first bent state. The shaft is capable of independently maintaining the distinct shapes associated with the straight state and the first bent state. The handle is rigidly coupled to the proximal section of the shaft. The instrument is useful for epicardial pacing and/or mapping of the heart for temporary pacing on a beating heart, for optimizing the placement of ventricular leads for the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure and ventricular dysynchrony and/or for use in surgical ablation procedures.

Cardiac mapping instrument with shapeable electrode

An electrosurgical instrument including an elongated shaft and a non-conductive handle. The shaft defines a proximal section, a distal section, and an internal lumen extending from the proximal section. The distal section forms an electrically conductive tip and defines at least one passage for distributing fluid. Further, the shaft is adapted to be transitionable from a straight state to a first bent state. The shaft is capable of independently maintaining the distinct shapes associated with the straight state and the first bent state. The handle is rigidly coupled to the proximal section of the shaft. With this in mind, an exterior surface of the shaft distal the handle and proximal the distal section is electrically non-conductive. In one preferred embodiment, the shaft is comprised of an elongated electrode body surrounded by an electrical insulator.

Fluid-assisted electrosurgical instrument with shapeable electrode

A suction assisted ablation device having a support surface, suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface, at least one electrode and at least one suction conduit is provided. The device may further include fluid openings, which allow fluid to irrigate target tissue and aid in ablation. A method for ablating tissue using suction is also provided.

Suction stabilized epicardial ablation devices

A device for ablating tissue is provided. The device comprises a conductive element with a channel for irrigating fluid formed therein, which is in contact with a non-conductive microporous interface. All or a portion of the interface may be removable. When the interface is removed, a portion of the conductive element is exposed for use in ablating tissue. Methods of using the device and of removing the interface are also provided.

Method and apparatus for tissue ablation

Variable length electrodes for delivery of irrigated ablation

Spiral electrodes and similar structures are manufactured using a high-pressure fluid stream. Specifically, spiral electrodes are made from tubular structures by using a high-pressure water stream to precisely cut, or etch spirals of predetermined geometries to conform to a particular current distribution and conduction requirements. In an embodiment, the high-pressure water stream is tangentially and rotatably oriented against a rotating and translating tubular element. The tangential orientation enables limited cutting or etching of the tubular surface that is only in direct contact with the high pressure stream. Various geometries and spiral structures could be formed by managing the pressure and rotation of the high-pressure water stream source and the rotation and translation of the tubular element.

Alternative fabrication method for spiral electrodes

An implantable electrical lead of the type having a rigid, insulative electrode head carrying an advanceable helical electrode. The electrode head is mounted to an elongated insulative lead body less rigid than said electrode head and which carries an extensible conductor coupled to the helical electrode and an inextensible conductor mechanically coupled to the proximal end of the lead. A second electrode is mounted to said lead body adjacent the electrode head and is coupled to the inextensible conductor. The inextensible electrical conductor is mechanically coupled to the electrode head such that poximally directed traction forces applied to the proximal end of the lead body are applied to the head by the inextensible conductor and not by the second electrode.

Medical electrical lead

In an endocardial, active fixation, screw-in lead of the type having a fixation helix adapted to be rotated in a first, advancement direction out of an electrode head chamber and into cardiac tissue by rotation of a lead connector end and attached lead conductor with respect to an insulating sheath in the first direction and retracted into the chamber by rotation of the lead connector in the opposite, retraction direction, a retraction stop mechanism for preventing over rotation of the helix in the retraction direction. The rotational motion of the lead conductor is transmitted to the helix by a connecting assembly and is translated into axial advancement and retraction of the helix by a guide cooperating with the helix turns. A retraction stop mechanism stops rotation of the helix in the retraction direction upon full retraction of the helix into the chamber and allows rotation of helix in the advancement direction. The retraction stop mechanism includes a fixed stop formed of a plurality of fixed cam and axial stop surfaces surrounding a proximal end bore of the chamber through which the lead conductor passes and a movable stop formed in the connecting mechanism of a like plurality of rotatable cam and axial stop surfaces aligned to face the fixed cam and axial stop surfaces adapted to engage in a locked relation of the stop surfaces upon full retraction of the fixation device into the chamber.

Retraction stop for helical medical lead electrode

A cardioversion/defibrillation lead, and method of manufacture thereof, for location in a human heart. An elongated lead body having an insulating outer sheath extends between proximal and distal ends thereof, and an elongated defibrillation conductor within the lead body extends from a connector at the proximal end to a distal end at a predetermined location along the lead body length. A spiral band defibrillation electrode extends in spiral turns around the exterior of the insulating outer sheath for a pre-determined defibrillation electrode length. The defibrillation electrode is fabricated of a single tube of body compatible, electrically conductive material having first and second tube ends and an inside diameter selected to fit over the outer sheath and the internally disposed defibrillation lead conductor. At least one (and preferably a plurality) spiral slit is formed therein extending from first and second slit end points, spaced from the first and second ends, respectively, thereby forming at least one spiral band integrally attached to first and second end bands, respectively. At least one of the first and second end bands is attached to the defibrillation lead conductor at or near the distal end thereof. In other embodiments, intermediate connection bands are formed along the length of the spiral band, and electrical connections are made between such intermediate connection bands and the defibrillation lead conductor.

Integral spiral band electrode for transvenous defibrillation 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.

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New Birghton, MN, United States of America

Jon M Ocel