Siemens-pacesetter, Inc.

Other

Paul E Kreyenhagen

John R Helland

Thomas M Soukup

Jeffrey C Kristiansen

Clifton A Alferness

Ronald V Forino

A lead is provided which assists in the implantation of the lead within an artery or vein of a human heart. The lead includes a lead body having a distal end and a proximal end and at least one electrode carried by the lead body intermediate the distal end and the proximal end. The lead includes a guide tip carried by the lead body which extends distally from the lead body distal end. The guide tip includes a distal tip end and a tapered portion forming the distal tip end. The tapered portion is curved in a direction of curvature to offset the distal tip end in a direction from the longitudinal center axis of the lead body. The guide tip may further include tines or fibrotic tissue ingrowth sites for retaining the lead in place after implantation.

Implantable lead having a steering distal guide tip

A porous electrode for pacemakers is comprised of a plurality of platinum globules sintered together to form a porous mass of semi-hemispherical shape at the end of a platinum electrode stem. The globules, which are themselves made by sintering together spherically-shaped particles of approximately one micron diameter, provide the globules with an irregular outer surface of high total surface area. The globules have diameters within a critical range of 40-200 microns. The large total surface area of the globules improves the sensing function of an electrode configuration of given size and surface area, while the globule diameters of 40-200 microns have been found to beneficially accommodate tissue ingrowth within the electrode. In a preferred method of making the electrode, the platinum globules, which are formed by sintering together platinum particles of much smaller size, are mixed with organic solvent and organic binder to form a paste. After application of the paste to the base of an electrode stem and pressing of the paste using a mold so as to form the paste into the desired semi-hemispherical shape, the electrode is heated to evaporate the organic solvent, and the electrode is then placed in a sintering furnace to sinter together the platinum globules and form the completed electrode.

Porous electrode for a pacemaker and method of making same

An implantable pacing lead for use with a cardiac pacemaker having a multilumen tubing for the lead body and at least one ring electrode or electrical contact located between the distal and proximal ends of the pacing lead. The ring electrode includes axially aligned bores therethrough, the bores corresponding to the locations of the lumens within the multilumen tubing. A stabilizing element assures that the interconnection between the multilumen tubing and the cylindrical electrode is secure.

Ring electrode for a multilumen lead and method of constructing a

A bipolar electrode assembly for attachment to heart tissue for use with a pacemaker. The assembly has a hub member with a helical screw-in coil that acts as a first electrode and is used to attach the assembly to the heart tissue. The assembly further comprises a plurality of appendages that extend from the hub member and each have an electrode segment of electrically conductive material. The electrode segment of the appendages can act together as a single second electrode, or alternatively as a separate, independent electrodes, which may selectively be used for pacing or sensing. The electrode segments not only act as electrodes, but also allows heart tissue to grow directly into the conductive material to help secure the assembly to the heart. The assembly also has apertures and grooves for suture connection of the assembly to the heart. Methods of manufacturing the assembly and connecting the assembly to a heart are also described.

Bipolar myocardial electrode assembly

A suture sleeve for anchoring the lead body of an implantable medical device, such as a cardiac pacemaker, includes an elongated tubular member having a lumen for receiving the lead body. The tubular member has external threads for receiving a threaded collar. The tubular member and collar have engaging, tapered surfaces whereby tightening of the collar on the tubular member compresses a portion of the tubular member into gripping engagement with the lead body. The tubular member and collar have surfaces which come into contact upon tightening of the collar so as to limit compression of the lead body and thereby prevent damage thereto.

Threaded suture sleeve

A suture sleeve for securing the leads of a multiple lead implantable medical device includes lead gripping and anchoring portions. The sleeve has a pair of flexible side walls and longitudinally extending channels for receiving the leads. The side walls of at least the gripping portion have longitudinally extending, confronting, spaced apart edges and comprises two layers one of which is formed of a soft plastic such as silicone and the other of which is formed of a harder but flexible material such as polysulfone. Sutures placed and tied about the gripping portion compress the sleeve about the leads. Tightening of the sutures brings the confronting edges of the gripping portion of the sleeve into engagement thereby precluding further compression of the sleeve and preventing damage to the leads.

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Castaic, CA, United States of America

Paul E Kreyenhagen