Importance

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Abstract

The finned pervenous lead electrically connects an electrical generator with an internal organ and comprises a flexible electrically conductive insulated lead with proximal and distal ends. The proximal end has an electrical connection for connecting the lead to the electrical generator and a distal electrode assembly connected to the distal end of said lead. A distal portion of the lead proximal to the distal electrode assembly has an axis and at least two tissue-engaging, thin, flexible, flat fins which are circumferentially sidewise deflectible and which project radially outwardly from different radial locations on the lead at about the same axial location on the lead. Each fin extends outwardly in a plane which includes the axis of the lead distal portion and each fin is attached to the lead at a fold line extending substantially parallel to the axis of the lead distal portion. Substantially an entire flat side of each of the fins is capable of folding circumferentially about the fold line against, contacting and conforming to the adjacent circumferential surface of the lead without overlapping when the fins are bent in the same sense around the lead and about the fold lines which define the hinges adjacent the lead. The diameter of a cylindrical envelope defined by the fins on the lead and folded against the lead can thus be kept as small as possible and interference by the projecting fins with an introducer sheath through which the lead is fed into the vascular system can be reduced by manually twisting the lead about its axis to fold the fins at the fold lines around and against the circumferential surface of the lead in a non-overlapping manner.

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First Claim