Patent ID: 7496410
Filing Date: 2009-02-24
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A lead for insertion into a myocardium of a heart, the lead comprising: a lead body defining a lumen extending therethrough, the lead body having a proximal end, a distal end and one or more conductors disposed therein, the lead body distal end having an exit port for the lumen; a stylet slidably disposed in the lumen and having a sharpened distal end, the stylet having a size and length sufficient to pass through the lumen and exit the lumen through the distal port such that the sharpened distal end can be extended from the lead body distal end to pierce the myocardium, providing a pilot hole for the lead body; an electrode coupled near the distal end of the lead body; and a spring fixation mechanism including a spring member and a stop, the spring member formed about the lead body and extending from a spring proximal end slidable relative to the lead body to a spring distal end fixed to the lead body, the stop coupled to the spring proximal end and sized to be retained outside of an epicardium of the heart such that as the lead body is advanced into the epicardium using a distally directed axial force, the spring is stretched between the stop and the distal end of the spring, and, upon removal of the axial force, the spring retracts, capturing epicardial tissue between coils of the spring.