Screw-in pacing lead assembly

Abstract

The screw-in lead assembly can be connected at its proximal end to an electrical power source and can be connected at its distal end to tissue of a living body. The assembly comprises at least one wire conductor extending within a sheath of material inert to body materials. A proximal end of the wire conductor can be electrically connected to the power source and a distal end of the wire conductor can be electrically connected to a tubular electrode body in an electrode assembly at the distal end of the lead. A corkscrew shaped securing device is received within the tubular body and has a proximal end fixed to a movable mounting member in the tubular body. A drive mechanism in the form of a helical metal ribbon is received within the sheath, extends from the proximal end of the lead to the distal end of the lead, is fixed to the other end of the mounting member and defines a lumen through and in which a stylet can be received. A terminal pin/drive member at the proximal end of the lead has one end thereof connected to a proximal end of the ribbon and the other end thereof extending from the lead assembly. The terminal pin/drive member can be rotated to screw the securing device into living tissue and has a passageway therethrough opening into the lumen at one end and to the ambient environment at the other end.