Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090099635 | STIMULATION AND SENSING LEAD WITH NON-COILED WIRE CONSTRUCTION - A cardiac rhythm management device that can comprise a lead and a pulse generator. The lead can comprise lead body, a composite conductor, a stylet guide, two or more electrodes and a proximal connector. The composite conductor can comprise two or more conductors which can electrically couple the electrodes to the proximal connector. The electrodes can be disposed on a distal portion of the lead body and can be longitudinally spaced from one another. The proximal connector can be configured to couple to the pulse generator. | 04-16-2009 |
20090149934 | IMPLANTABLE LEAD WITH SHIELDING - Medical device leads with magnetic shielding and methods of shielding medical device leads from magnetic fields during medical procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are described. An illustrative implantable medical device includes a lead including a lead conductor having a length and a helically coiled ribbon shield radially surrounding the lead conductor along at least a portion of the length of the lead. The ribbon shield can include one or more inner ribbon conductors and/or one or more outer ribbon conductors. The outer ribbon conductor can have a variable width (e.g., a necked-down configuration, an arrowhead configuration, or an undulating configuration) along the length of the lead. In some cases, the helically coiled ribbon has a variable pitch along the length of the lead that may be the same as or different from that of the lead conductor pitch. | 06-11-2009 |
20090157156 | FIXATION HELIX AND MULTIPOLAR MEDICAL ELECTRODE - A cardiac rhythm management device that includes a lead and a pulse generator. The lead can comprise a lead body, a helical composite electrode, a composite conductor and a proximal connector. The helical composite electrode can have first and second electrodes in a co-axial configuration. The composite connector can electrically connect the first and second electrodes to the proximal connector. The proximal connector can be configured to couple to the pulse generator. | 06-18-2009 |
20090198314 | LEAD WITH MRI COMPATIBLE DESIGN FEATURES - Implantable medical leads with magnetic shielding and methods of shielding implantable leads from magnetic fields during medical procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are disclosed. An exemplary implantable medical lead includes a helically coiled inner electrode conductor wire, a helically coiled outer electrode conductor wire disposed radially about the inner electrode conductor wire, and at least one layer of insulation that electrically isolates the inner and outer electrode conductor wires. The inner electrode conductor wire can have a hollowed, multifilar configuration including six or more co-radially wound wire filars. The outer electrode conductor wire is electrically isolated from the inner electrode conductor wire, and may have either a single or double filar configuration. | 08-06-2009 |
20090281608 | MEDICAL LEAD COIL CONDUCTOR WITH SPACER ELEMENT - Medical electrical leads equipped with spacer elements and configured for use during medical procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are disclosed. An illustrative medical electrical lead includes a proximal connector, an insulated lead body including at least one electrode, a helically coiled conductor wire, and a helically coiled spacer element interstitially disposed between adjacent turns of the conductor wire. | 11-12-2009 |
20100004723 | HELICAL FIXATION MEMBER WITH CHEMICAL ELUTION CAPABILITIES - The lead includes a helical fixation member coupled to the distal end of the lead body. The helical fixation member has at least one internal reservoir and a plurality of elution ports in fluid communication with the internal reservoir. A therapeutic agent composition is disposed within the internal reservoir. Additionally, the helical fixation member includes a sealed distal end to prevent coring of the cardiac tissue. | 01-07-2010 |
20100331936 | MEDICAL DEVICE LEAD INCLUDING A UNIFILAR COIL WITH IMPROVED TORQUE TRANSMISSION CAPACITY AND REDUCED MRI HEATING - A conductor assembly for a medical device lead includes a helically coiled conductor including a plurality of turns having a coil pitch and an outer diameter and consisting of one filar having a filar diameter. The coil pitch and outer diameter are selected based on the filar diameter to minimize heating of the helically coiled conductor in the presence of an MRI field. A polymer sheath is formed about the helically coiled conductor such that the coil pitch of the unifilar helically coiled conductor is maintained. The polymer sheath is configured to increase a torque transmitting capacity of the helically coiled conductor. | 12-30-2010 |
20100331937 | ACTIVE FIXATION LEAD WITH HELIX SECUREMENT MECHANISM - An implantable lead may have a distal assembly including a coupler and a fixation helix secured to the coupler. The coupler may include a helical groove that is configured to accommodate the fixation helix. The helical groove may facilitate attaching the fixation helix to the coupler by threading the fixation helix into the helical groove. A weld may provide a secondary attachment between the fixation helix and the coupler. | 12-30-2010 |
20100331943 | EXTENDABLE/RETRACTABLE LEAD WITH IMPROVED DISTAL SEAL - An implantable lead may have a distal assembly including a coupler, a fixation helix secured to the coupler and a housing in which the fixation helix and the coupler are disposed. The distal assembly may include an annular seal that is disposed between the coupler and the housing and that provides an at least substantially fluid-tight seal between the coupler and the housing. | 12-30-2010 |
20110009939 | LAMINATE DISTAL LEAD SEAL WITH TISSUE INGROWTH FEATURE - An implantable lead may include a housing and a laminate distal seal disposed across a distal end of the housing. A coupler and a fixation helix secured to the coupler may be disposed within the housing. The fixation helix may have a retracted position in which the fixation helix does not penetrate the laminate distal seal and an extended position in which the fixation helix has pierced the laminate distal seal and extends therethrough. | 01-13-2011 |
20110034980 | POLYMER COMPRESSION JOINING IN IMPLANTABLE LEAD - Implantable medical leads and methods of forming such leads are disclosed. An implantable medical lead includes a lead body, a swage base coupled to the lead body, and a polymeric member interposed at least in part between the swage base and at least one rigid component of the lead such as an electrode or annular ring. The swage base includes an annular-shaped body including a flange having a number of protrusions that extend radially outward from the flange. During a swaging process, the protrusions on the flange are compressed against the polymeric member, forming a number of channels in the member that mechanically bond the member to the swage base. | 02-10-2011 |
20110054580 | POLYISOBUTYLENE URETHANE, UREA AND URETHANE/UREA COPOLYMERS AND MEDICAL LEADS CONTAINING THE SAME - The present invention provides medical devices that contain polyisobutylene urethane copolymers, polyisobutylene urea copolymers and polyisobutylene urethane/urea copolymers. More particularly, the present invention provides medical leads that contain such copolymers. | 03-03-2011 |
20110112619 | HELIX FIXATION MECHANISM - An implantable lead may have a distal assembly including a coupler and a fixation helix secured to the coupler. The fixation helix may be formed of a filar having a non-circular cross-sectional profile having a major dimension and a minor dimension. The major dimension may be disposed transversely to a longitudinal axis of the helical electrode. | 05-12-2011 |
20110160816 | APPARATUS TO SELECTIVELY INCREASE MEDICAL DEVICE LEAD INNER CONDUCTOR INDUCTANCE - A medical device lead includes an insulative lead body, outer and inner conductive coils, and a flexible core assembly. The outer conductive coil extends through the lead body and is coupled to a first electrode at a distal end of the outer conductive coil. The inner conductive coil extends coaxially with the outer conductive coil, is coupled to a second electrode at a distal end of the inner conductive coil, and includes a central lumen. The flexible core assembly is disposed in the central lumen and is comprised of a material that has a saturation magnetization of at least about 1.5 T and a relative permeability of greater than one. The flexible core assembly includes a positioning interface configured for manipulation of the flexible core assembly such that the flexible core assembly translates through the central lumen during insertion and extraction of the flexible core assembly. | 06-30-2011 |
20110160817 | MRI SAFE, MULTIPOLAR ACTIVE FIXATION STIMULATION LEAD WITH CO-RADIAL CONSTRUCTION - Various embodiments relating to MRI safe, multi-polar active fixation stimulation leads with co-radial construction are disclosed. Some embodiments, allow the use of the generally smaller diameter co-radially constructed body (coated wires) to construct an active fixation lead, with an extendable/retractable fixation mechanism. Some embodiments use a connector assembly with an inner terminal ring, a terminal pin partially rotatably positioned within the annular inner terminal ring, and one or more resilient C-clips disposed within circumferential recesses. The resilient C-clips mechanically and electrically couple the inner terminal ring and the terminal ring while substantially limiting relative longitudinal translation of the terminal pin. In some embodiments, the connector assembly can be connected to an electrically inactive torque tube disposed longitudinally within the flexible body of the lead such that rotation of the terminal pin relative to the lead body causes rotation and longitudinal translation of a fixation helix relative to the body. | 06-30-2011 |
20110160828 | MRI CONDITIONALLY SAFE LEAD WITH LOW-PROFILE MULTI-LAYER CONDUCTOR FOR LONGITUDINAL EXPANSION - An implantable electrical lead having a flexible body and including a multi-layer coil conductor extending within the longitudinal body lumen from the connector assembly to at least the electrode, the multi-layer coil conductor including a first coil layer a second coil layer disposed about the first coil layer, wherein at least one parameter of the first and the second coil layer is configured such that the lead exhibits a predetermined axial stiffness or bending stiffness. | 06-30-2011 |
20110160829 | MRI CONDITIONALLY SAFE LEAD WITH MULTI-LAYER CONDUCTOR - An implantable medical lead exhibits reduced heating under MRI conditions. The lead includes a multi-layer coil conductor including an inner coil layer, a middle coil layer disposed around the inner coil layer, and an outer coil layer disposed around the middle coil layer. Each of the coil layers is characterized by one or more of a filar thickness, a coil pitch, or a coil diameter configured such that the coil conductor exhibits a high inductance when exposed to MRI radiation. Each of the coil layers is electrically connected to the other coil layers to provide parallel conductive paths resulting in a coil conductor resistance suitable for defibrillation lead applications. | 06-30-2011 |
20110208280 | LEAD INCLUDING CONDUCTORS CONFIGURED FOR REDUCED MRI-INDUCED CURRENTS - Systems and methods for improving response of implantable leads to magnetic fields during medical procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are described. In various embodiments, the lead includes an inner conductor that is helically shaped and radially surrounded, at least in part, by one or more high-voltage conductors. The high-voltage conductor can be mechanically and/or electrically coupled, via a coupler, to the shocking coil. The pitch of the inner and/or outer conductor can be varied (e.g., continuously or at certain points) along the length of the lead. In some embodiments, the filar thickness, the pitch, and the mean coil diameter of the inner coil, the high voltage conductor coil, and the shock coil can be configured such that these coils have a desired inductance value when subjected to externally applied electromagnetic energy at radio frequencies commonly generated by MRI scanners (e.g., 40 MHz to 300 MHz). | 08-25-2011 |
20120016451 | TORQUE ENHANCEMENT FOR MRI-CONDITIONALLY SAFE MEDICAL DEVICE LEAD - An implantable medical device lead includes an inner conductor assembly coupled to a first electrode at a distal end of the inner conductor assembly and an outer conductive coil extending coaxially with the inner conductor assembly and coupled to a second electrode. The inner conductor assembly includes one or more filars arranged in a plurality of serially connected current suppression modules. The inner conductor assembly is configured to improve torque transmission. | 01-19-2012 |
20120083865 | MEDICAL DEVICE LEAD INCLUDING A ROTATABLE COMPOSITE CONDUCTOR - A medical electrical lead includes a proximal connector including a rotatable portion and first and second co-radial conductors coupled to the rotatable portion and extending distally from the rotatable portion. An actuation member is coupled between an electrode and the first and second conductors such that rotating the rotatable portion of the proximal connector transmits torque through the co-radial first and second conductors to the actuation member and results in both rotational and linear motion of the electrode. | 04-05-2012 |
20120109270 | MEDICAL LEAD COIL CONDUCTOR WITH SPACER ELEMENT - Medical electrical leads equipped with spacer elements and configured for use during medical procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are disclosed. An illustrative medical electrical lead includes a proximal connector, an insulated lead body including at least one electrode, a helically coiled conductor wire, and a helically coiled spacer element interstitially disposed between adjacent turns of the conductor wire. | 05-03-2012 |
20120130453 | INSULATIVE STRUCTURE FOR MRI COMPATIBLE LEADS - A medical device lead includes a proximal connector, an insulative lead body extending distally from the proximal connector. The proximal connector is configured to couple the lead to a pulse generator. A first conductive coil is coupled to the proximal connector and extends through the lead body. The first conductive coil is coupled to a first electrode at a distal end of the first conductive coil. A first magnetically impregnated polymer layer is adjacent the first conductive coil. | 05-24-2012 |
20120143273 | IMPLANTABLE LEAD INCLUDING A SPARK GAP TO REDUCE HEATING IN MRI ENVIRONMENTS - A medical device lead includes a proximal connector configured to couple the lead to a pulse generator, and an insulative lead body extending distally from the proximal connector. The first lead conductor is coupled to the proximal connector and extends through the lead body. The medical device lead also includes a distal defibrillation electrode. A first spark gap is connected between the first lead conductor and the distal defibrillation electrode and has a breakdown voltage that prevents transmission of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) induced signals from the first lead conductor to the distal defibrillation electrode in an MRI environment and allows transmission of therapy signals to the distal defibrillation electrode. | 06-07-2012 |
20120271163 | ULTRASONIC MONITORING OF IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - Systems and methods for ultrasonically monitoring implantable medical devices are disclosed. An ultrasonic monitoring system includes an ultrasonic transmitter that transmits an ultrasonic wave into the body, an implantable medical device including at least one ultrasonic reflecting unit configured for reflecting a portion of the ultrasonic wave, and an ultrasonic imaging monitor configured to receive a reflected portion of the ultrasonic wave and produce an ultrasonic image of the implantable medical device within the body. The ultrasonic reflecting unit can include an echogenic fluid medium that reflects a portion of the ultrasonic wave received from the ultrasonic transmitter. The ultrasonic reflecting units can be positioned at various locations on the device to produce localized areas of increased echogenicity, which can be used by the implanting physician to gauge the location of the device within the body. | 10-25-2012 |
20120271394 | LEAD WITH MRI COMPATIBLE DESIGN FEATURES - Implantable medical leads with magnetic shielding and methods of shielding implantable leads from magnetic fields during medical procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are disclosed. An exemplary implantable medical lead includes a helically coiled inner electrode conductor wire, a helically coiled outer electrode conductor wire disposed radially about the inner electrode conductor wire, and at least one layer of insulation that electrically isolates the inner and outer electrode conductor wires. The inner electrode conductor wire can have a hollowed, multifilar configuration including six or more co-radially wound wire filars. The outer electrode conductor wire is electrically isolated from the inner electrode conductor wire, and may have either a single or double filar configuration. | 10-25-2012 |
20130041444 | MEDICAL DEVICE LEAD WITH CONDUCTOR FRACTURE PREDICTION - A medical device lead includes a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is configured for connection to a pulse generator. One or more electrodes are at a distal end of the lead body, and a lead conductor extends through the lead body and is electrically coupled to at least one of the one or more electrodes. The conductor is configured to deliver electrical signals between the proximal end and the at least one of the one or more electrodes. A sacrificial conductor extends through the lead body adjacent to lead conductor and is configured to fail at a lower stress than the lead conductor. | 02-14-2013 |