Siemens Elema Ab

Pacesetter Ab

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Per Nyman

Ulf Lindegren

Anders Lindgren

Kurt Hognelid

Paul Froberg

Per Frangnberg

Peter Magnusson

Fredrik Killander

Roy Ingram

A device for indicating that an electrode cable is correctly connected to a medical implant for emitting electrical pulses, the implant being equipped with a connection part for the electrode cable's proximal end, has a contact for making electrical connection with the proximal end of the electrode cable and an indicator, the contact electrically causing the indicator to emit at least one indication signal which is perceptible outside of the implant when the electrode cable is correctly attached to the implant.

Connection indicator for medical device

A device for shaping an electrode cable, such as a medical electrode cable for use with a pacemaker, includes a substantially tubular element or sleeve, having a length which is relatively short in comparison to the length of the electrode cable. The internal diameter of the tubular element is only slightly larger than the exterior diameter of electrode cable, so that the tubular element can be slid on and off the electrode cable. When the tubular element is on the electrode cable, it surrounds a portion of the electrode cable. The tubular element is curved in a desired manner, and is sufficiently stiff so that the portion of the electrode cable surrounded by the tubular element conforms to the shape of the tubular element. The device is extremely simple and inexpensive and simplifies adaptation of the electrode for placement in a patient's heart.

Permanently curved sleeve for shaping an electrode cable, and method for

An auxiliary body, for guiding a stylet into the stylet channel of an electrode cable in a medical electrode device whose proximal end is provided with a connector pin, has a first end provided with a cylindrical channel so the auxiliary body can be pushed onto the connector pin, a second end of the auxiliary body being provided with a cavity whose orifice is larger than the channel's opening. The cavity is connected to the channel and continuously narrows in such a way that the diameter of the channel end of the cavity is larger than the external diameter of the stylet and equal to or less than the diameter of the stylet channel. For drying off and/or lubricating the stylet in a safe and simple manner without any additional, disruptive step in the implantation procedure, a carrier which contains one or both of drying or lubricating agent is disposed in the cavity and/or in the channel of the auxiliary body so as to cause the agent contained in the carrier to interact with the stylet as the stylet is inserted through the auxiliary body.

Auxiliary body for guiding a stylet into the stylet channel of an

A device for affixing an electrode cable to an apparatus is disclosed, suitable for affixing an electrode cable for use in vivo to an implantable medical apparatus for emitting electrical pulses, such as a pacemaker or a defibrillator, wherein the electrode cable has a pin-like proximal end. The apparatus is provided with a connector part at which the affixing device is located to mate with the proximal end of the electrode cable. The affixing device includes a spring element which is disposed substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the proximal end of the electrode cable when the proximal end is contained in the connector part. The spring element carries clamping elements, and the spring element is movable between first and second positions. When the spring element is in the first position, the clamping elements are caused to be disposed so as to permit the proximal end of the electrode cable to pass the clamping elements, and when the spring element is in the second position, the clamping elements are caused to engage the proximal end of the electrode cable to affix the proximal end in the connector part. The affixing device has a simple structure, which is inexpensive to manufacture, and which is simple to handle during implantation while still providing good and reliable electrical contact between the electrode cable and the apparatus.

Device for affixing an electrode cable to an apparatus

An electrode device for intracorporeal stimulation of body tissue, particularly for intracardial stimulation of the heart, has an electrode cable containing an elongated, flexible conductor having an exterior covered with a layer of insulation, and an interior forming a channel for the introduction of an elongated member for transmitting a pushing force to the distal (i.e., treatment site) end of the electrode for controlling the configuration of the electrode device as it is inserted in a patient. An electrode head is disposed at the distal end of the conductor. For making the electrode device pliant and elastic to facilitate implantation, even using an inserted stylet which need not be retracted, the elongated member in the interior of the conductor is made longitudinally stiff but has relatively large lateral flexibility.

Controllable electrode device for in vivo tissue stimulation

A medical electrode device, implantable in a subject for electrically stimulating tissue, includes an electrode cable containing an elongated, flexible conductor having an interior channel and covered with electrical insulation, and terminating in an electrode head for engaging tissue of the subject. A stylet is insertable in the channel. The electrode device incorporates structure for assisting in explanting the device formed by an adhesive substance releasably storable within the cable and releasable by manipulation of the stylet or a stylet-like element. When the adhesive is released, the stylet is adhered to the electrode head and can be manipulated from the proximal end of the electrode device to twist the distal end of the electrode device away from ingrown tissue upon explantation.

Implantable medical electrode device including structure for explanting

A medical electrode for intracorporeal electrical stimulation of body tissue, particularly for intracardial stimulation of heart tissue, includes an electrode cable having an elongated, flexible conductor covered with insulation, and terminating at one end with an electrode head for contact with body tissue. An opposite end of the cable is connectable to a source of therapeutic electrical energy. The exterior surface of the insulation is provided with a helical element winding around a substantial portion of the length of the cable between the opposite ends. The helical element may be a thin-like projection, or a groove. A device for rotating the cable during implantation causes the cable, by virtue of the helical element, to be advanced through a vein.

Medical electrode and electrode implantation device

A method and apparatus facilitate movement of a catheter through a blood vessel in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the catheter, by mechanically oscillating the catheter to impart movement at least to the distal end of the catheter in a direction substantially transversely to the longitudinal extent of the catheter. The oscillatory movement transverse to the longitudinal extent of the catheter continuously repels the catheter from the walls of the vessel in which the catheter is disposed, thereby reducing friction between the catheter and the blood vessel and making movement of the catheter within the vessel easier for implantation and explantation of the catheter.

Method and arrangement for implanting or explanting an intravascular

A controllable electrode device for intracardial stimulation of the heart with an electrode cable includes an elongate, flexible conductor having an exterior covered with a layer of insulation and an interior forming a lumen for the introduction of an element for assisting in guiding the electrode device through a vein, and having an electrode head fitted at the conductor's distal end for stimulation of cardiac tissue. In order to achieve an electrode device with an electrode cable which is pliant and flexible, at least in its anterior section, to promote being guided through a vein, and which can be guided and shaped in the heart in a desired manner, a guide arrangement is provided which includes an elongate element having at least one groove running roughly perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the element and having a shape and depth enabling the element, and therefore the electrode cable, to bend at the groove when the element is subjected to pressure in its longitudinal direction.

Controllable intracardial electrode device

An electrode device for intracorporeal stimulation of body tissue, in particular for intracardial stimulation of heart tissue, has an electrode cable containing a coiled, flexible, insulated first wire running along substantially the entire length of the electrode cable and whose interior forms a channel, with at least one partially conductive electrode head provided on the distal end of the electrode cable. The cable also contains a second wire provided in the channel, this second wire running coaxially along the entire length of the electrode cable and being attached at or near the distal end of the electrode cable. The proximal end of the second wire extends beyond the proximal end of the electrode cable, a device for displacing the second wire in relation to the electrode cable in a selected way is provided so that by compressing the coiled first wire the electrode cable can be made stiff or pliant, as desired, with the need for a stylet.

Growing community of inventors

Djursholm, Sweden

Per Nyman