Medtronic, Inc.

Other

Alza Corporation

Kenneth R Brennen

Peter J Pohndorf

John Louis Sommer

Michael Jay Ebert

Pedro A Meregotte

Scott J Brabec

Richard Dean Ries

William J Schindeldecker

Jordan D Honeck

John Matthew Swoyer

Terrell M Williams

Kenneth B Stokes

Stanten C Spear

Patrick T Cahalan

Joseph B Phipps

Darrel F Untereker

Timothy W Holleman

James Strom

Phong D Doan

Roger E Rugland

Wayne R Bass

Bruce C Johnson

Robert A Gabler

Douglas M Hess

An elongate medical electrical lead conductor includes a layer of hydrolytically stable polyimide formed thereover.

Implantable medical device conductor insulation and process for forming

An improved system and method to provide visualization of implantable leads, catheters, or other implantable devices is disclosed. According to the invention, an unmodified guiding device such as a stylet or guidewire is frictionally coupled to a vibration device. This guiding device is further inserted into the device to be visualized. When activated, the vibration device transfers longitudinal waves to the guiding device, which, in turn, transfers the waves to the device that is to be visualized. These waves are detected by an imaging device, which then generates a Doppler image of the implantable device. According to one aspect of the invention, the vibration device includes a piezoelectric actuator. According to another aspect of the invention, the frequency of the waves that are transferred by the vibration device is selectable.

Ultrasound imaging system and method for implantable and invasive devices

An implantable pacemaker is provided with subcutaneous spiral electrodes for sensing electrical signals of the heart. Subcutaneous spirals or spiral electrodes are embedded individually into three or four recessed casings placed in a compliant surround that is attached to the perimeter of the implanted medical device. The electrodes are electrically connected to the circuitry of the implanted pacemaker and detect cardiac depolarization waveforms displayable as electrocardiographic tracings on an external instrument such as a programmer. The spiral electrode constitutes the proximal end of a continuous wire that upon egress from the recessed casing is insulated using insulative material.

Subcutaneous spiral electrode for sensing electrical signals of the heart

A method of fabricating a stimulation electrode for use on an implantable lead, the lead and electrode so fabricated and a method of their use. The electrode is made by coating a conductive electrode member with a coating of a high surface area coating having micron or sub-micron surface features and after coating, plasma cleaning the electrode member. The electrode is coupled to an insulated conductor of an implantable lead and is employed to stimulate body tissue. The high surface area coating may be platinum black, ruthenium oxide, another metal oxide, a metal nitride or the like. Steroid may be applied to the electrode member after coating.

Method for tissue stimulation and fabrication of low polarization implantable stimulation electrode

A steerable stylet and manipulative handle assembly especially adapted for guiding the introduction of an endocardial pacing or cardioversion/defibrillation lead or a catheter to a desired location in a patient's cardiovascular system. The steerable stylet or catheter designed to be introduced into the lumen of a lead comprises an outer, elongated tubular member of a length sufficient to extend through the length of the lead or catheter from its proximal opening to the distal end thereof, a traction element or pull wire extending generally through the length of the tubular member and within its lumen except for a predetermined distance in the distal portion thereof, and a manipulative handle coupled to the proximal ends of the tubular member and wire which may be employed with one hand to both rotate the tubular member and impart a continuously variable curve in the distal portion thereof. The distal portion of the tubular member is especially configured to be either attached to or cooperate with the distal end of the pull wire so that proximally-directed traction applied by the handle to the wire causes the distal portion of the tubular member to bend. The distal portion of the tubular member is provided with openings to allow the wire to exit and re-enter the lumen of the tubular member in the distal portion so that traction applied to the wire bows the tubular member into a curve of desired radius. In use, the distal portion of the wire residing outside the lumen of the tubular member is constrained within the lumen of the lead or catheter. Traction applied by the manipulative handle to the wire is sufficient to cause the distal portion of the pacing lead to assume various angles of curvature from straight to approximately one hundred eighty degrees. The distal portion of the tubular member which bows in response to the applied traction is preferably cut out or flattened to avoid kinking. The manipulative handle may be employed with one hand to impart the desired degree of curvature while rotating the lead or catheter to direct its distal end through the venus system and into the desired site within a chamber of the heart or the coronary sinus. The ability to dynamically change the degree of curvature during advancement avoids the necessity of removing and recurving the stylet during the introduction of the lead or catheter.

Steerable stylet and manipulative handle assembly

An active-fixation medical electrical lead having an improved turning tool. In particular, the lead has a fixation helix attached to a coiled conductor, the coiled conductor is attached at the opposite end to a connector assembly. The coiled conductor is covered by an insulative sheath between the fixation helix and the connector assembly. Mating with the connector assembly is the improved turning tool. The turning tool features essentially three components: housing, roller assembly and header. Housing is shaped so as to frictionally couple with a sealing ring of the connector assembly while permitting a connector pin to of the connector assembly to extend therethrough and into roller assembly. Through such a combination the roller assembly may be rotated relative to housing thereby causing connector pin to rotate relative to sealing ring and thus extend or retract a fixation helix. Header further permits a stylet to be guided through turning tool and remain within lead while in use. Ultimately such a device permits a physician to extend as well as retract a helix with only one hand.

Active fixation medical electrical lead having improved turning tool

A steerable stylet and manipulative handle assembly especially adapted for guiding the introduction of an endocardial pacing or cardioversion/defibrillation lead or a catheter to a desired location in a patient's cardiovascular system. The steerable stylet or catheter designed to be introduced into the lumen of a lead comprises an outer, elongated tubular member of a length sufficient to extend through the length of the lead or catheter from its proximal opening to the distal end thereof, a traction element or pull wire extending generally through the length of the tubular member and within its lumen except for a predetermined distance in the distal portion thereof, and a manipulative handle coupled to the proximal ends of the tubular member and wire which may be employed with one hand to both rotate the tubular member and impart a continuously variable curve in the distal portion thereof. The distal portion of the tubular member is especially configured to be either attached to or cooperate with the distal end of the pull wire so that proximally-directed traction applied by the handle to the wire causes the distal portion of the tubular member to bend. The distal portion of the tubular member is provided with openings to allow the wire to exit and re-enter the lumen of the tubular member in the distal portion so that traction applied to the wire bows the tubular member into a curve of desired radius.

A steerable stylet and manipulative handle assembly for guiding a lead or a catheter to a desired location in a patient. The steerable stylet comprises an outer, elongated tubular member of a length sufficient to extend through the length of the lead or catheter from its proximal opening to the distal end thereof, a traction element or pull wire extending generally through the length of the tubular member and within its lumen except for a span in the distal portion thereof, and a manipulative handle coupled to the proximal ends of the tubular member and wire. Traction applied with one hand to the pull wire via the handle causes the distal portion of the tubular member to bend. Distal portion of the tubular member is provided with openings to allow the wire to exit and re-enter the lumen and facilitate bending of the tubular member. Distal portion of the tubular member which bends is preferably deformed, such as cut out or flattened or indented, to avoid kinking. A retainer surrounds the area proximate the openings and protects the exposed pull wire.

An improved iontophoresis electrode employing a current distributing member and a drug reservoir containing an ionic drug. The drug reservoir is applied to the skin of a patient, and includes a charge selective ion permeable membrane adapted to contact the skin, through which the ionic drug is delivered.

Iontophoresis electrode

An implantable cardioversion or defibrillation lead provided with a large surface, carbon fiber electrode. The lead takes the form of an elongated tubular braid of carbon fiber, provided with a central core of insulating plastic. Over the majority of the braid's length, it is covered by an outer sheath of insulating plastic as well, serving as a lead conductor. At its distal end, the braid is not covered, and the exposed portion of the braid serves as the electrode.

Defibrillation lead employing electrodes fabricated from woven carbon

A cardiac pacing lead for endocardial use, having a pacing electrode which takes the form of a tapered, conical helix extending from the distal end of the lead. The helix is used to attach the distal end of the lead to heart tissues. The tapered shape of the helix facilitates passage of the lead through the venous system and through the tricuspid valve. Rotation of the fixation helix is accomplished by means of rotation of a coiled conductor extending the length of the lead, in conjunction with rotation of a stylet, passing down the conductor. The stylet is fixedly mounted with respect to the coiled conductor at both the proximal and distal ends of the lead.

Screw-in lead

An electrical stimulation lead incorporating an electrode assembly which dispenses a drug adjacent the stimulation site. The lead is provided with a fixation helix located at the distal end of the lead. An electrode may be extended distally within the helix. When extended, the electrode serves as a guard against perforation or other damage to tissue by the helix. In its retracted position, the electrode is located roughly adjacent the distal end of the lead body, and lies against the tissue to be stimulated. Advancing and retraction of the electrode is accomplished by means of a stylet which is removably engageable with the proximal end of the electrode. In one embodiment, the stylet functions to both advance and retract the electrode. In an alternative embodiment, the stylet is used only to advance the electrode, and retraction of the electrode is accomplished by a resilient conductor.

Atraumatic screw-in lead

A stimulating electrode for introducing of electrical signals into animal tissues and in particular into human beings is provided wherein the tissue contacting portion of the electrode is an ion-exchange resin.

Growing community of inventors

Fridley, MN, United States of America

Kenneth R Brennen