Systems and methods for epicardial pacing are provided. For example, this document provides epicardial pacing using a percutaneously delivered bifurcated pacing lead that has multiple electrodes that are directionally insulated to prevent extracardiac stimulation, including prevention of phrenic stimulation. In addition, the devices, systems, and methods provided can be used for ablation, defibrillation, and/or defibrillation in combination with pacing.

An epicardial stimulation lead includes a lead body having a connector at a proximal end for coupling the lead to a generator of an active implantable medical device. The lead also includes a distributor housing at a distal end of the lead body and means for anchoring the distal end of the lead body to the epicardium. The lead also includes an active part having a plurality of microcable conductors, the proximal ends being coupled to the distributor housing, the distal ends being free. Each microcable has a diameter of at most equal to 2 French. Each microcable includes at least one denuded area in the insulating coating forming a stimulation electrode adapted to contact or penetrate an epicardium wall. Each microcable also includes a transverse elongated member extending at an angle relative to the main direction of the microcable for penetrating into the epicardial wall.

A system for treating heart valve malfunction specifically including mitral regurgitation including a positioning structure operative to assume both expanded and contracted orientations and a retaining assembly positioned and structured to operatively dispose the positioning structure in moveably supporting lifting and/or positioning relation to the ventricular wall portion of the heart. The retaining assembly and the positioning structure are cooperatively disposed and structured to accomplish a shape variance of the heart upon a lifting or positioning force being exerted thereon substantially concurrent to the positioning structure being disposed in the expanded orientation. The force exerted on the heart at least partially defines a shape variance thereof to the extent of positioning of the leaflets of the mitral valve into a closed orientation which restricts mitral regurgitation.

Disclosed is a delivery system for a component, for example, a splitting lead. A splitting lead can have a proximal portion to engage a controller and a distal portion to split apart into sub-portions that travel in multiple directions during implantation into a patient. The delivery system can include a handle and a component advancer to advance and removably engage a portion of the component. The component advancer can be coupled to the handle and advance the component into the patient by applying a force to the portion in response to actuation of the handle by the operator. Also, the delivery system can include an insertion tip with first and second ramps to facilitate advancement of first and second sub-portions into the patient in first and second directions. The leads may have various electrode configurations including, for example, wrapped or embedded electrodes, helical or elliptical coils, thin metallic plates, etc.

A device for use during cardiothoracic surgery around the heart of a patient. The device includes an angled drainage tube including a first portion having a plurality of drainage orifices and a second portion which is angled relative to the first portion. A flexible drainage tube extends from the angled tube and is in fluid communication therewith. A pair of pacing electrodes are disposed on a single aspect of the first portion of the angled drainage tube. The pacing electrodes are adapted to be in contact with the heart muscle for intrinsic rhythm sensing and pacing capability thereof. At least one electrical wire is connected to the pacing electrodes and extends along a portion of the angled drainage tube. The at least one electrical wire is connectable to a pacing box via a cable for powering and controlling the pacing electrodes.

The present biological electrode includes a conductive fabric (2) formed of base fibers which are filled with a conductor and/or to which the conductor is adhered, a thin metallic wire (3) formed into a spiral shape and covered with the conductive fabric (2) from a side of a distal end in an axis direction, and a filling material (5) with which a gap between the conductive fabric (2) and the thin metallic wire (3) is filled and which supports the conductive fabric (2) and the thin metallic wire (3), and the conductor is electrically connected with the thin metallic wire (3).

A process of treatment of internal organ oedema is using an electric current delivering electrode system comprising electrodes to be positioned at two places on the outer surface of the internal organ and/or in a liquid carrying vessel of the internal organ and delivering electric current to induce electro-osmosis between the electrodes. An electrode assembly system for this treatment by electro-osmosis includes, in addition to the two electrodes, a control unit adapted to control the current flow between the two electrodes.

A device for use during cardiothoracic surgery around the heart of a patient. The device includes an angled drainage tube including a first portion having a plurality of drainage orifices and a second portion which is angled relative to the first portion. A flexible drainage tube extends from the angled tube and is in fluid communication therewith. A pair of pacing electrodes are disposed on a single aspect of the first portion of the angled drainage tube. The pacing electrodes are adapted to be in contact with the heart muscle for intrinsic rhythm sensing and pacing capability thereof. At least one electrical wire is connected to the pacing electrodes and extends along a portion of the angled drainage tube. The at least one electrical wire is connectable to a pacing box via a cable for powering and controlling the pacing electrodes.

A process of treatment of internal organ oedema is using an electric current delivering electrode system comprising electrodes to be positioned at two places on the outer surface of the internal organ and/or in a liquid carrying vessel of the internal organ and delivering electric current to induce electro-osmosis between the electrodes. An electrode assembly system for this treatment by electro-osmosis includes, in addition to the two electrodes, a control unit adapted to control the current flow between the two electrodes.

Disclosed is a delivery system for a component, for example, a splitting lead. A splitting lead can have a proximal portion to engage a controller and a distal portion to split apart into sub-portions that travel in multiple directions during implantation into a patient. The delivery system can include a handle and a component advancer to advance and removably engage a portion of the component. The component advancer can be coupled to the handle and advance the component into the patient by applying a force to the portion in response to actuation of the handle by the operator. Also, the delivery system can include an insertion tip with first and second ramps to facilitate advancement of first and second sub-portions into the patient in first and second directions. The leads may have various electrode configurations including, for example, wrapped or embedded electrodes, helical or elliptical coils, thin metallic plates, etc.