Importance

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Abstract

A lead adapted to be located within the cardiac vasculature is disclosed. The lead may be readily steered to a desired location within the cardiac vasculature to thereafter be securely located at a desired pacing site. The lead is provided with an improved electrode assembly located at its distal tip. The electrode assembly includes a fixation helix and a guidewire-like projection, both extending from the distal end of the lead body. The fixation helix, which may serve as all or part of the active electrode surrounds a structure corresponding to the distal end of a conventional guidewire. The fixation helix is mounted around the guidewire tip so that the sharpened tip of the helix lies closely adjacent to the guidewire tip, in a region of the guidewire tip which is sufficiently flexible to allow it to be moved away from the sharpened tip of the helix. The guidewire tip, which may be provided with a preformed curve at its distal end, is employed to navigate the lead through the cardiac vasculature in a fashion similar to the navigation of a catheter and guidewire in combination or a guidewire alone. Upon reaching the desired location within the cardiac vasculature, the lead may be rotated to screw one or more turns of the fixation helix into heart tissue, the flexibility of the guidewire tip allowing it to move away from the sharpened tip of the helix during the process of affixing the lead to the tissue.

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First Claim