Patent ID: 6718211
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
An elongated implantable medical electrical lead for electrically stimulating a human heart or sensing electrical signals originating therefrom, comprising:(a) a lead body having proximal and distal sections; (b) at least one electrode for sensing or electrically stimulating the heart; (c) a proximal end comprising an electrical connector, the electrical connector being contiguous with the proximal section of the lead body; (d) a distal end contiguous with the distal section of the lead body; (e) at least one electrical conductor having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the conductor being operatively connected to the at least one electrode, the proximal end of the conductor being operatively connected to the electrical connector; wherein the distal section of the lead body comprises at least first and second segments, the first segment having a bending stiffness Sbs which exceeds the bending stiffness Sbf of the second segment, the first and second segments being configured and dimensioned to impart a distally directed force to the distal end of the lead when the first and second segments are subjected to a bending moment resulting in a sufficient curvature of the distal section of the lead body and the lead body further comprises a first asymmetric cross-section configured for implantation in a first referred orientation in pre-determined distal-most portions of the heart's venous anatomy where bending radii are small, a second asymmetric cross-section configured for implantation in a second preferred orientation different from the first orientation in pre-determined portions of the heart's venous anatomy located proximal from the distal-most portions thereof.