Patent ID: 8150535
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A cardiac lead, comprising: a lead body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen defined between the proximal end and the distal end, the lead body comprising one or more electrical conductors, and the proximal end being adapted for connection to an implantable cardiac monitoring and/or stimulation device; at least one cardiac electrode configured for cardiac implantation, for sensing electrical cardiac signals, and for delivering electrical cardiac therapy, the at least one cardiac electrode coupled to the lead body at or near the distal end of the lead body and coupled to the one or more electrical conductors, the at least one cardiac electrode including a tissue penetrating element engagable with epicardial and myocardial tissue; and a sensor displaceable within the lumen of the lead body and configured to sense a presence of a coronary vessel in an operational field proximate to but spaced apart from the lead body's distal end.