Importance

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Abstract

A medical electrical lead having active fixation which readily flexes within the cardiac tissue through a fixation mechanism which is temporarily rigid. In a preferred embodiment, the medical electrical lead features a fixation helix constructed from an absorbable material, such as mannitol. In an alternate embodiment a medical electrical lead is disclosed which features a fixation mechanism having a multi-layer construction. In that embodiment the fixation mechanism is fashioned of a first, rigid and absorbable, material and a second, readily pliable and nonabsorbable, material. Through such a construction the lead may be fixed in the tissue such that over time the first material is absorbed by the body and the second material is left in position to flexibly fix the lead in place. In one embodiment the second material is conductive and is used to achieve an electrical coupling to the body tissue.

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First Claim