"J" Stylet wire

Claim 2

A body implantable lead comprising: a conductor having a proximal end and a distal end and having a lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end; an insulating sheath covering said conductor; fixation means for securing said distal end of said conductor to body tissue; electrical connector attached to said proximal end of said conductor for electrically coupling said conductor to an electrical generator; stylet means removably located within said lumen of said conductor for imparting a curve to a portion of the distal end of the conductor for guiding placement of said distal end of said conductor; and flexible means, having a proximal end, rotatably and removably located within said lumen of said conductor coaxial to said stylet means for transferring torque induced at said proximal end of said flexible means to said fixation means while said stylet means imparts a curve to the distal end portion of said conductor.

Claim 3

A body implantable lead according to claim 1 wherein said stylet means is inserted coaxially within said flexible means.

Claim 4

A body implantable lead according to claim 2 wherein said fixation means is a helically wound fixation coil having a sharpened tip whereby said fixation means may be screwed into said body tissue.

Claim 5

A body implantable lead according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 wherein said stylet means is a solid stylet wire having a proximal end.

Claim 6

A body implantable lead according to claim 4 wherein said flexible means has a proximal end and a distal end and has a lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end.

Claim 7

A body implantable lead according to claim 5 wherein said flexible means further comprises a knob fixedly attached to said proximal end of said flexible means.

Claim 8

A body implantable lead according to claim 6 wherein said flexible means is of a coil of body compatible metal.

Claim 9

A body implantable lead according to claim 6 wherein said flexible means is of a body compatible plastic.

Claim 10

A body implantable lead according to claim 7 wherein said stylet means further comprises a knob fixedly attached to said proximal end of said stylet wire.

Claim 11

A body implantable lead according to claim 8 wherein said stylet means further comprises a knob fixedly attached to said proximal end of said stylet wire.

Claim 12

A body implantable lead comprising: a conductor having a proximal end and a distal end and having a lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end; an insulative sheath covering said conductor; an electrode coupled to the distal end of said conductor; electrical connector means attached to said proximal end of said conductor for electrically coupling said conductor to an electrical generator; stylet means removably located within said lumen of said conductor for imparting a curve to a portion of the distal end of the conductor to guide the electrode to a desired position in the heart; and flexible means, having a proximal end, rotatably and removably located within the lumen of said conductor coaxial to said stylet means for transferring torque induced at said proximal end of said flexible means to the distal end of said conductor while said stylet means imparts a curve to the distal end portion of said conductor.

Claim 13

A body implantable lead comprising: a conductor having a proximal end and a distal end and having a lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end; an insulative sheath covering said conductor; an electrode coupled to the distal end of said conductor; electrical connector means attached to said proximal end of said conductor for electrically coupling said conductor to an electrical generator; stylet means removably located within said lumen of said conductor for imparting a curve to a portion of the distal end of the conductor to guide the electrode to a desired position in the heart; and flexible means, having a proximal end, rotatably and removably located within the lumen of said conductor coaxial to said stylet means for transferring torque induced at said proximal end of said flexible means to the distal end of said conductor while said stylet means imparts a curve to the distal end portion of said conductor.

Claim 14

A body implantable lead according to claim 11 wherein said stylet means is inserted coaxially within said flexible means.

Claim 15

A body implantable lead according to claim 11 or 12 wherein said stylet means is a solid stylet wire having a proximal end.

Claim 16

A body implantable lead according to claim 13 wherein said flexible means has a proximal end and a distal end and has a lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end.

Claim 17

A body implantable lead according to claim 14 wherein said flexible means further comprises a knob fixedly attached to said proximal end of said flexible means.

Claim 18

A body implantable lead according to claim 15 wherein said flexible means is of a coil of body compatible metal.

Claim 19

A body implantable lead according to claim 15 wherein said flexible means is of a body compatible plastic.

Claim 20

A body implantable lead according to claim 16 wherein said stylet means further comprises a knob fixedly attached to said proximal end of said stylet wire.

Claim 21

A body implantable lead according to claim 17 wherein said stylet means further comprises a knob fixedly attached to said proximal end of said stylet wire. .Iadd.

Claim 22

A body implantable lead assembly comprising a lead having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end adapted to be connected to electrical means for supplying or receiving electrical pulses, said distal end being adapted to be connected to tissue of a living body, said lead comprising a sheath of material inert to body materials or fluids and at least one wire conductor having a proximal end and a distal end and extending from said proximal end of said lead within said sheath to said distal end of said lead, a terminal structure electrically coupled to said proximal end of said wire conductor and adapted to electrically couple said proximal end of said wire conductor to said electrical means, an electrode assembly including an electrode, said distal end of said wire conductor being electrically connected to said electrode, said electrode including a tubular body which has a proximal end and a distal end and said sheath being coupled to said proximal end of said tubular body and having a proximal end and a distal end, a corkscrew shaped securing device within said tubular body and having a proximal end and a distal end, a mounting member being received in said tubular body and having said proximal end of said securing device mounted on one end thereof, flexible drive means for rotation within said sheath, having a proximal end and a distal end extending from said proximal end of said lead to said distal end of said lead, being coupled at its distal end to the proximal end of said mounting member in said tubular body, said flexible drive means defining a lumen or cylindrical envelope about the central area of said lead through which and in which a stylet is adapted to be received, and a drive member at the proximal end of said lead fixed for rotation, said drive member having two ends and having one end thereof connected to the proximal end of said flexible drive means and the other end thereof extending from said lead assembly, said drive member further being adapted to be rotated to screw said securing device into living tissue and having a passageway therethrough opening into said lumen at one end and to the environment at the other end and into which passageway a stylet is adapted to be inserted for passage through said drive means for stiffening said lead, and said flexible drive means enabling one to rotate said corkscrew shaped securing device without twisting a curved distal portion of said lead. .Iaddend. .Iadd.

Claim 23

A body implantable lead assembly comprising a lead having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end adapted to be connected to electrical means for supplying or receiving electrical pulses, said distal end being adapted to be connected to tissue of a living body, said lead comprising a sheath of material inert to body materials or fluids and at least one wire conductor having a proximal end and a distal end and extending from said proximal end of said lead within said sheath to said distal end of said lead, a terminal structure electrically coupled to said proximal end of said wire conductor and adapted to electrically couple said proximal end of said wire conductor to said electrical means, an electrode assembly including an electrode, said distal end of said wire conductor being electrically connected to said electrode, said electrode including a tubular body which has a proximal end and a distal end and said sheath being coupled to said proximal end of said tubular body and having a proximal end and a distal end, a corkscrew shaped securing device within said tubular body and having a proximal end and a distal end, a mounting member being received in said tubular body and having said proximal end of said securing device mounted on one end thereof, flexible drive means for rotation within said sheath, having a proximal end and a distal end extending from said proximal end of said lead to said distal end of said lead, being coupled at its distal end to the proximal end of said mounting member in said tubular body, said flexible drive means defining a lumen or cylindrical envelope about the central area of said lead through which and in which a stylet is adapted to be received, and a drive member at the proximal end of said lead fixed for rotation, said drive member having two ends and having one end thereof connected to the proximal end of said flexible drive means and the other end thereof extending from said lead assembly, said drive member further being adapted to be rotated to screw said securing device into living tissue and having a passageway therethrough opening into said lumen at one end and to the environment at the other end and into which passageway a stylet is adapted to be inserted for passage through said drive means for stiffening said lead, and said flexible drive means enabling one to rotate said corkscrew shaped securing device without twisting a curved distal portion of said lead. .Iaddend. .Iadd.

Claim 24

A body implantable lead comprising: a conductor having a proximal end and a distal end and having a lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end; an insulating sheath covering said conductor; fixation means for securing said distal end of said conductor to body tissue; electrical connector means attached to said proximal end of said conductor for electrically coupling said conductor to an electrical generator; stylet means removably located within said lumen of said conductor for imparting a curve to a portion of the distal end of said conductor for guiding placement of said distal end of said conductor; and flexible means, having a proximal end and a distal end, rotatably located within said lumen of said conductor coaxial to said stylet means for transferring torque induced at said proximal end of said flexible means to said fixation means while said stylet means imparts a curve to the distal portion of said conductor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.

Claim 25

A body implantable lead comprising: a conductor having a proximal end and a distal end and having a lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end; an insulating sheath covering said conductor; fixation means for securing said distal end of said conductor to body tissue; electrical connector means attached to said proximal end of said conductor for electrically coupling said conductor to an electrical generator; stylet means removably located within said lumen of said conductor for imparting a curve to a portion of the distal end of said conductor for guiding placement of said distal end of said conductor; and flexible means, having a proximal end and a distal end, rotatably located within said lumen of said conductor coaxial to said stylet means for transferring torque induced at said proximal end of said flexible means to said fixation means while said stylet means imparts a curve to the distal portion of said conductor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.

Claim 26

A body implantable lead according to claim 21 wherein said stylet means is inserted coaxially within said flexible means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A body implantable lead according to claim 21 or claim 22 wherein said fixation means is a helically wound fixation coil having a sharpened tip whereby said fixation means may be screwed into body tissue. .Iaddend.