Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.

Susan M Walgren

David W Mayer

Byron L Gilman

June M Berglund

Colleen M Hoffmann

Donald L Sandford

An adapter for extending a sensing and stimulation delivery lead in a body stimulation system, such as a cardiac pacer or cardioverter defibrillator, includes a resilient, electrically insulative housing with a longitudinal barrel extended through the majority of the housing length for the insertion of a lead terminal connector. Two spaced apart transverse bores are formed in the housing, open to barrel and to the housing exterior. Two connector assemblies are mounted in the housing and positioned to receive respective pin and ring terminals of the lead when inserted into the barrel. Each connector assembly can be adjusted to secure the lead in the housing, by a tool inserted through one of the transverse bores. Each connector assembly is isolated from the housing exterior by a seal means mounted in the associated bore. Each seal means includes a seal member elastically deformable to admit a tool to the associated connector assembly via a passage through the seal member. A rigid retaining sleeve, secured within the associated bore, surrounds and slightly compresses its associated seal member to ensure that the passage remains closed when not admitting the tool.

Bipolar lead adapter with resilient housing and rigid retainers for plug

A biocompatible covering, soluble in body fluids, surrounds the fixation helix of an implantable cardiac electrode as the electrode, and its adjoining lead, are inserted intravenously to a selected cardiac chamber. The covering size and shape are selected for protection of blood vessels and other body tissues during insertion, and for exposure of the fixation element shortly after its proper positioning. The covering may be applied to the fixation element by a dip coating process, or formed separately by casting or injection molding, for later attachment to the lead distal end using an adhesive.

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Shoreview, MN, United States of America

Susan M Walgren