Cardiac pacer lead system for interim pacing during pacer changeover

Claim 1

A pacer interconnection and lead system for use with an implantable cardiac pacer, which system facilitates interim pacing of a patient''s heart during pacer replacement, the pacer having a connector terminal through which signals are coupled for pacing the heart of a patient, said pacer interconnection and lead system comprising: a flexible, electrical lead; over said lead, for a majority of its length, an insulating sheath; at one end of said lead, an electrode adapted to contact cardiac tissue for applying stimulating pulses thereto; at the other end of said lead, a connector adapted to engage said pacer terminal for coupling stimulating signals generated by said pacer to said electrode; in the region of the juncture of said lead and said connector, a mass of conductive, rubbery material electrically interconnected with said lead; an insulating rubbery jacket extending over said conductive mass from said insulating sheath; auxiliary connection means including a needle-like conductive element insertable through said jacket to establish electrical contact with said conductive rubbery mass to permit interim pacing of a patient''s heart during replacement of a pacer; and guide means for directing said needle-like element into said conductive rubbery mass without directly contacting said lead.