TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure pertains to medical devices, and methods for making and using medical devices. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to implantable leads.

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of intracorporeal medical devices have been developed for medical use. Some of these devices include guidewires, catheters, implantable leads, and the like. These devices are manufactured by any one of a variety of different manufacturing methods and may be used according to any one of a variety of methods. Of the known medical devices and methods, each has certain advantages and disadvantages. There is an ongoing need to provide alternative medical devices as well as alternative methods for manufacturing and using medical devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This disclosure provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example medical device may include an implantable medical device. The implantable medical device comprises:

an implantable pacing seed having a housing and a lead input;

a lead coupled to the lead input;

wherein the lead is designed to extend along a pericardial space, epicardium, or both and engage a heart chamber; and

wherein a passageway is defined along a portion of the length of the lead.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the passageway is a guidewire lumen that extends between a distal opening at a distal end of the lead and a port positioned proximal of the distal end of the lead.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the passageway extends between a closed distal end of the lead and a port positioned proximal of the closed distal end of the lead.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the lead is fixedly attached to the lead input.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the lead is detachably connected to the lead input.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, a guiding member is disposed within the delivery passageway.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the guiding member is a guidewire.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the guiding member is a removable stylet.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the lead includes a pre-formed bend.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the lead includes an anchoring member designed to anchor the lead to a target location.

An implantable medical device assembly is also disclosed. The implantable medical device comprises:

a guidewire capable of being disposed within a pericardial space;

a delivery catheter disposed along the guidewire, the delivery catheter having a lumen formed therein;

a pacing lead disposed within the lumen;

wherein the lead has a delivery passageway formed along a portion of the lead;

an implantable pacing seed coupled to the lead, the pacing seed being designed for subcutaneous implantation; and

an imaging device positioned adjacent to the delivery catheter.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the lead is fixedly attached to the pacing seed.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the lead is detachably connected to the pacing seed.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the delivery passageway is a guidewire lumen that extends between a distal opening at a distal end of the lead and a port positioned proximal of the distal end of the lead.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the guidewire is capable of extending through the delivery passageway.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the delivery passageway extends between a closed distal end of the lead and a port positioned proximal of the closed distal end of the lead.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, a removable stylet is positioned within the delivery passageway.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the lead includes a pre-formed bend.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the lead includes an anchoring member designed to anchor the lead to a target location.

A method for implanting a medical lead is also disclosed. The method comprises:

positioning a guidewire within a pericardial space of a patient;

advancing a delivery catheter along the guidewire;

advancing a lead through the delivery catheter, the lead being coupled to a pacing seed;

wherein a delivery passageway is defined along a portion of the length of the lead; and

anchoring the lead to a heart chamber.

The above summary of some embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The Figures, and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

