Method and apparatus for fixating a pacing lead of an implantable medical device

An apparatus for fixating a lead disposed within a vessel, comprising:

• at least one deployable lobe situated on a distal portion of the lead, the deployable lobe adapted to assume a retracted position and an engaging position, the engaging position engaging the at least one deployable lobe with the vessel;
• a flexible material covering a portion of an outer surface of the lead;
• and
• wherein the at least one deployable lobe assumes the engaging position by deforming of the flexible material a segment from the lead at the portion of the outer surface and assumes the retracted position by rectifying said deforming of the segment.

An apparatus for fixating a lead disposed within a vessel, comprising:

• at least one deployable lobe situated on a distal portion of the lead, the deployable lobe adapted to assume a retracted position and an engaging position, the engaging position engaging the at least one deployable lobe with the vessel;
• a lumen coupled to the deployable lobe, and adapted to extend the deployable lobe to the engaging position;
• and
• wherein the at least one deployable lobe assumes the engaging position by extending outwardly from an outer surface of the lead.

An apparatus for fixating a lead disposed within a vessel, the lead including an electrical conductor surrounded by a conductor tubing and an outer tubing that is slideably received over the conductor tubing, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one deployable lobe situated on a distal portion of an outer surface of the conductor tubing of the lead, the deployable lobe adapted to assume a retracted position and an engaging position, the engaging position engaging the at least one deployable lobe with the vessel;
• a recessed slot formed lengthwise within an inner surface of the outer tubing;
• and
• wherein the at least one deployable lobe assumes the retracted position when the recessed slot formed within the outer tubing is in alignment with the deployable lobe and is slideably received within the recessed slot, and assumes an engaging position by extending outwardly from the outer surface of the conductor tubing when the deployable lobe is not in alignment with the recessed slot.

A method for fixating a lead disposed within a vessel, comprising:

• providing a fixation segment surrounding the lead at a distal end thereof;
• providing at least one deployable lobe situated on the fixation segment, the deployable lobe adapted to assume a retracted position and an engaging position, the engaging position engaging the at least one deployable lobe with the vessel;
• and
• compressing the fixation segment to have the at least one deployable lobe assume the engaging position.

A method for fixating a lead disposed within a vessel, comprising:

• providing at least one deployable lobe situated on a distal portion of the lead, the deployable lobe adapted to assume a retracted position and an engaging position, the engaging position engaging the at least one deployable lobe with the vessel;
• providing a flexible material covering a portion of an outer surface of the lead;
• and
• extending the flexible material outwardly from the lead at the portion of the outer surface when the at least one deployable lobe assumes the engaging position.

A method for fixating a lead disposed within a vessel, the lead including an electrical conductor surrounded by a conductor tubing and an outer tubing that is slideably received over the conductor tubing, the method comprising:

• providing at least one deployable lobe situated on a distal portion of an outer surface of the conductor tubing of the lead, the deployable lobe adapted to assume a retracted position and an engaging position, the engaging position engaging the at least one deployable lobe with the vessel;
• forming a recessed slot lengthwise within an inner surface of the outer tubing;
• and
• retracting the deployable lobe when the recessed slot formed within the outer tubing is in alignment with the deployable lobe and is slideably received within the recessed slot, thereby assuming the retracted position;
• and
• extending the deployable lobe outwardly from the outer surface of the conductor tubing when the deployable lobe is not in alignment with the recessed slot and is withdrawn therefrom, thereby assuming the engaging position.