Abstract:
A steerable catheter (10) is disclosed, having an elongated, tubular catheter body (14) with at least one deflection member (30) slidably disposed within a lumen (26, 28), secured at a distal end to a tip section (16) and terminating in an interconnect (46) at a proximal end and a handle (12) releasably attached to the proximal end of the catheter body. The handle has at least one sliding member (54) coupled to an actuator (18), such that manipulation of the actuator causes relative longitudinal movement with respect to the handle, wherein the interconnect and the sliding member engage when the handle is attached to the catheter body so that the relative longitudinal movement of the sliding member is transmitted to the deflection member and wherein the interconnect and the sliding member disengage when the handle is released from the catheter body.
Abstract:
A lead wire associated with a pacemaker, implantable cardiac defibrillator or other cardiac electric signal source is provided with a protector tube overlying at least a portion of the lead wire. In one embodiment, this protector tube is provided as a sheath tube portion of a sheath assembly along with a valve body. The valve body of the sheath assembly is fracturable and removable away from the sheath tube, leaving the sheath tube upon the lead wire as a protector tube. In other embodiments, a separate protector tube is provided and fed over the lead wire and through a sheath assembly until placed where desired. A grommet and/or plug can be provided at a proximal end of the protector tube for anchoring of the protector tube in a desired location and for plugging the protector tube, while also accommodating the lead wire passing therethrough.
Abstract:
A delivery tool of a system for deploying medical diagnostics and/or therapy includes a deployment member and a sheath. An elastic cantilever element secured to a tubular sidewall of the deployment member, in proximity to a distal opening of a lumen formed by the sidewall, is spring biased to extend outward from the sidewall. When the cantilever element is received within the sheath, a sheath sidewall pushes the cantilever element inward, against the spring bias thereof, and a radius of curvature of the cantilever element approximately conforms to that of an outer surface of the deployment member sidewall. A helical track for receiving passage of a medical device helix fixation element therein may extend around a perimeter of the deployment member lumen, wherein a distal terminal end of the track is located in close proximity to the distal opening and generally opposite a free end of the cantilever element.
Abstract:
Beschrieben wird eine implantierbare Elektrodenanordnung mit einem zumindest bereichsweise aus biokompatiblen Polymer bestehenden Trägersubstrat, auf dessen Trägersubstratoberfläche zumindest bereichsweise eine frei zugängliche Elektrodenoberfläche einer auf dem Trägersubstrat aufgebrachten oder in das Trägersubstrat integrierten Elektrode vorhanden ist. Ferner wird ein Verfahren zur Herstellung der implantierbaren Elektrodenanordnung erläutert. Die Erfindung zeichnet sich dadurch aus, dass die Elektrode eine metallische Basisplatte mit einer ebenen Ober- und Unterseite aufweist, mit wenigstens einem die Oberseite orthogonal, lokal überragenden Strukturelement, dass die ebene Oberfläche der metallischen Basisplatte parallel zur Trägersubstratoberfläche orientiert ist, und dass die metallische Basisplatte vollständig von dem biokompatiblen Polymer mittel- und/oder unmittelbar umschlossen ist mit Ausnahme eines ersten Oberflächenbereiches des wenigstens einen Strukturelements, der der Trägersubstratoberfläche zugewandt orientiert ist und der frei zugänglichen Elektrodenoberfläche entspricht.
Abstract:
A fixation member component, for example, employed by a relatively compact implantable medical device, includes a plurality of fingers; each finger includes a first segment extending from a fixed end of the corresponding finger, and a second segment extending from the corresponding first segment to a free end of the corresponding finger. Each first segment is elastically deformable from a relaxed to an extended condition, and from the relaxed to a compressed condition, and includes a peripheral portion and a central cut-out portion, framed by the peripheral portion. In the compressed condition, a free tip of the cut-out portion of some or all of the fingers may lodge against opposing tissue surfaces, via a spring force of the compressed fingers. Each second segment and cut-out portion is preferably configured to prevent penetration thereof within tissue at the implant site.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a blood vessel of a subject, including a stent (20) configured to be placed in the blood vessel. The stent includes at least first (32), second (34), and third (36) strut portions disposed along the stent. The first and second strut portions are coupled to one another at a first junction (37A) that facilitates bending of the first and second strut portions with respect to one another. The second and third strut portions are coupled to one another at a second junction (37B) that facilitates bending of the second and third strut portions with respect to one another. At least one electrode (22) is disposed on at least an outer surface of the stent. Other applications are also described.
Abstract:
An introducer assembly that may be employed to implant a medical device includes an introducer shaft, and an anchor sleeve and a deployment tool mounted on the shaft. According to some methods, the sleeve is deployed onto an elongate body of the medical device, after the body has been advanced through a lumen of the introducer shaft and to an implant site within a body of a patient, by pulling the introducer shaft proximally, out from the body of the patient, while holding the deployment tool in place, relative to the advanced body of the device.
Abstract:
A lead fixation and stability feedback assembly for testing stability and anchoring of a fixation tip of a distal end of an implantable lead to a tissue is disclosed. The assembly includes a first member including a first coupling arrangement configured to couple to a proximal end of an implantable lead, wherein the proximal end of the implantable lead is coupled to a distal end of the implantable lead configured to be anchored to a tissue, and a second member including a second coupling arrangement configured to couple the first member to the second member, the second coupling arrangement configured to decouple the second member from the first member when a predetermined force is applied to pull the second member away from the first member to thereby test the anchoring of the distal end of the implantable lead to the tissue.
Abstract:
A lead for in vivo procedures for stimulation of a tissue is provided that has stimulating electrodes and a fixation mechanism disposed at a distal end of the lead. The fixation mechanism includes a fixation component disposed on an opposite side with respect to an active surface of the stimulation electrodes. The lead fixation mechanism when deployed disposes the active surface of stimulation electrodes onto a tissue region opposite to the fixation component. A system and a method for optimally positioning the lead for stimulation of the tissue are also provided.
Abstract:
A lead anchor includes a body having an outer surface, a top end, a front side, a first end, and a second end opposite to the first end. The body defines a lead slot configured and arranged to receive a lead. The lead slot defines an elongated opening extending along the front side of the body from the first end to the second end. A transverse lumen extends from the top end of the body and intersects the lead slot. An exterior member is disposed around at least a portion of the body. The exterior member is formed of a biocompatible material. A fastener is disposed in the transverse lumen. The fastener is configured and arranged for fastening the received lead to the lead anchor by deforming a portion of the lead.