Importance

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Abstract

A cardiac pacing lead for attaching a pulse generating device, such as a pacemaker or defibrillator to the heart, and a method for attaching and using the same. The cardiac pacing lead includes a passive fixation, such as tines for engaging trabecular tissue; and an active fixation, such as a helical screw, for engaging myocardial tissue. The active fixation is selectively movable between a first position where it lies within the flexible tube, and a second position where it extends at least partially from the tube at one end of the flexible tube and can be screwed into the heart tissue. The active fixation is only engaged once heart tissue with suitable conductivity properties is located by tests conducted through the electrically active tip of the active fixation. The cardiac pacing lead is secured to the patient's heart by providing an incision in the patient's body, threading the pacing lead through the circulatory system, locating suitable heart tissue by conducting tests via the active fixation, securing the passive fixation to the suitable heart tissue; securing the active fixation to the suitable heart tissue; generating an electrical pulse from a pulse generating device and passing the same through the conductor and active fixation into the patient's heart.

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First Claim