Patent ID: 7212871
Filing Date: 2007-05-01
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. An implantable, epicardial lead adapted to conduct electrical stimulation from an electrical stimulator to an epicardial site of the heart and to conduct electrical signals of the heart from the epicardial site to the electrical stimulator, the implantable epicardial lead comprising: an elongated lead body defining a lead body distal end and a lead body proximal end, and comprising a connector at the lead body proximal end for mechanical and electrical attachment to the electrical stimulator, and further comprising a conductor extending between the lead body distal end and lead body proximal end; and an electrode head provided at the lead body distal end including an electrode tip member adapted to be fixated to the outside of the heart and an electrode backing member fixed to the distal end of the lead body and releasably attachable to the electrode tip member to establish electrical contact between the electrode tip member and the lead body, a planar surface at a distal end of the electrode tip member to establish contact with the outside of the heart; a tip electrode disposed at the planar surface of the electrode tip member, the elongated lead body being coupled to the electrode head such that the lead body distal end is moveable from a first position wherein a longitudinal axis of the lead body distal end is substantially perpendicular to the planar surface to a second position wherein the longitudinal axis of the lead body distal end is substantially parallel to the planar surface when the tip electrode is in electrical contact with the outside of the heart; wherein the electrode tip member comprises: wherein the electrode backing member comprises: