Inventions

Abstract: Temporary touch-proof connectors are disclosed that include an insulating body defining a passageway having an open leading end configured to receive a connector element of a medical lead and an enclosed trailing end shielding the connector element.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a medical lead with a retrieval wire that extends from the proximal end of the lead. The retrieval wire allows a physician to insert the medical lead into a patient and grab the retrieval wire to pull the proximal end of the lead away from the implant site. Upon gaining access to a lead connector on the proximal end of the medical lead, the physician may remove the retrieval wire and couple the lead connector to an implantable medical device that provides stimulation therapy. In this manner the physician may avoid damaging the lead connector when retrieving the medical lead. In addition, the retrieval wire may be used to provide test stimulation to verify correct electrode location. The medical lead may be used to stimulate tissue such as the stomach, small intestine, and the large intestine.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for stimulating a colon of a patient to relieve chronic constipation. Specifically, a colon stimulation system applies one or more electrical stimuli to the colon of the patient in order to induce peristaltic activity in the colon to relieve chronic constipation. In accordance with the invention, the colon stimulation system induces peristaltic activity in the colon by applying an electrical stimulus to the colon to cause a portion of the colon to contract to a contracted state and removing the electrical stimulus to cause the colon to relax. While in the contracted state, the colon is substantially fully contracted.

Abstract: Temporary touch-proof connectors are disclosed that include an insulating body defining a passageway having an open leading end configured to receive a connector element of a medical lead and an enclosed trailing end shielding the connector element.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a medical lead with a retrieval wire that extends from the proximal end of the lead. The retrieval wire allows a physician to insert the medical lead into a patient and grab the retrieval wire to pull the proximal end of the lead away from the implant site. Upon gaining access to a lead connector on the proximal end of the medical lead, the physician may remove the retrieval wire and couple the lead connector to an implantable medical device that provides stimulation therapy. In this manner the physician may avoid damaging the lead connector when retrieving the medical lead. In addition, the retrieval wire may be used to provide test stimulation to verify correct electrode location. The medical lead may be used to stimulate tissue such as the stomach, small intestine, and the large intestine.

Abstract: A medical delivery system includes an outer catheter extending between a proximal end and a distal end; a suction device positioned at the outer catheter distal end and coupled to a suction conduit; a delivery catheter extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the delivery catheter having an outer diameter adapted to be advanced through the outer catheter; a sealing member positioned at the outer catheter proximal end adapted to form an air-tight seal with the delivery catheter outer diameter; a puncture tool having a distal sharpened tip adapted to be advanced through the delivery catheter and into a targeted implant site a controlled distance to form a puncture.

Abstract: Temporary touch-proof connectors are disclosed that include an insulating body defining a passageway having an open leading end configured to receive a connector element of a medical lead and an enclosed trailing end shielding the connector element.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead, a system for providing electrical stimulation or sensing using such a lead, and methods of implanting, making and using same are described. The lead includes a rapidly connectable and/or interchangeable distal line that may be attached to a connector located distally from a distal end of a stimulating electrode. The rapidly connectable or interchangeable line may be sutured to a patient’s muscle or other tissue. A physician may select a distal suture line of the present invention on the basis of the desired characteristics of the line, and then connect, secure or attach same to the lead body just prior to the surgical operation in which the stimulating or sensing medical electrical lead of the present invention is to be employed. The desired characteristics of the suture line may relate to thickness or diameter, length, the material from which the line is made, biodegradability, and the like.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead, a system for providing electrical stimulation or sensing using such a lead, and methods of implanting, making and using same are described. The lead includes a rapidly connectable and/or interchangeable distal line that may be attached to a connector located distally from a distal end of a stimulating electrode. The rapidly connectable or interchangeable line may be sutured to a patient’s muscle or other tissue. A physician may select a distal suture line of the present invention on the basis of the desired characteristics of the line, and then connect, secure or attach same to the lead body just prior to the surgical operation in which the stimulating or sensing medical electrical lead of the present invention is to be employed. The desired characteristics of the suture line may relate to thickness or diameter, length, the material from which the line is made, biodegradability, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intramuscular medical electrical lead, a system for providing electrical stimulation or sensing using such a lead, and methods of implanting, making and using same. The lead includes at least a first fixation member disposed distally or proximally from a sensing or stimulating electrode, and may further include a second fixation member disposed at the opposite end of the electrode form the first fixation member. The fixation members permit the electrode to be reliably and fixedly secured within a patient’s muscle tissue at a desired site, and to remain so secured for a predetermined suitable period of time.

Abstract: The present invention includes within its scope a low-cost temporary lead for pacing, sensing, monitoring, or defibrillating at least a portion of a human or animal organ, and methods for implanting and making same. The lead has at least two electrodes and distal and proximal ends, and a novel weakened zone disposed between the blunt end of a needle and at least two electrical connectors attached to the proximal end of the lead body. The novel weakened zone permits the needle to be separated from the connectors by application of a sufficiently large bending moment or pulling force thereto. Following separation of the connectors from the needle, the connectors may be attached directly and quickly to an external electrical apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the optimum location for implanting a muscle stimulating electrode. A test probe is provided for producing an electric current at various muscle tissue locations to determine comparative threshold measurements of the selected muscle tissue locations and determine the optimum location for implanting the muscle stimulating electrode.

Abstract: An implantable pulse generator particularly adapted for implantation in the abdomen. The pulse generator displays a generally flattened configuration having two generally opposed major surfaces and a smaller, circumferential edge surface, and includes a plurality of electrical connectors located in a connector module mounted to one of the major surfaces of the pulse generator. The housing of the pulse generator contains a hybrid circuit mounted generally parallel to the major surfaces of the pulse generator, connected to the electrical connectors by means of feedthroughs passing through one of the major surfaces of the pulse generator, located adjacent to the edges of the hybrid circuit and perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: A defibrillation electrode fabricated by molding an elongated electrode core taking the form of two parallel segments each defining several sigmoidal curves, sliding a conductor coil over and along the electrode core, coupling the electrode coil to an elongated conductor, molding bridging members to connect the two segments of the core at spaced locations along the segments and molding a transition member to the electrode assembly at the junction of the electrode coil and the elongated conductor. The resulting electrode is particularly adapted for use as an epicardial defibrillation electrode, and displays flexibility within the plane defined by the electrode body as well as for twisting and other deformation to follow the changing surface of the heart during contractions.