Braid Electrode leads and catheters and methods for using the same

An endocardial catheter for providing a countershock to a patient's heart, said catheter comprising:

• an elongate member formed of an insulating material;
• a first terminal means at one end of said elongate member for connection to a source of electricity;
• a tubular braid electrode surrounding said elongate member along a portion of said catheter, said electrode being disposed externally on said elongate member;
• first electrical connection means for connecting said braid electrode to said terminal means;
• a tip electrode at an end of said insulating member most distal from said first terminal means;
• a second terminal means;
• and
• a second electrical connection means for connecting said tip electrode to said second terminal means.

A combination for providing a countershock to a patient's heart, said combination comprising a catheter and a subcutaneous lead, said catheter comprising:

• an elongate member formed of an insulating material;
• a first terminal means at one end of said elongate member for connection to a source of electricity;
• a tubular braid electrode surrounding said elongate member along a portion of said catheter, said electrode being disposed externally on said elongate member;
• and
• a first electrical connection means for connecting said braid electrode to said terminal means, said lead comprising:
• an elongate tubular insulating material;
• a first portion of electrically conductive braid forming a closely fitting sheath around a portion of said insulating material;
• an electrical coupling means for coupling said source to said leads;
• and
• electrically insulated connection means for electrically connecting said braid and said electrical coupling means.

A combination for providing a countershock to a patient's heart, said combination comprising a catheter and a subcutaneous lead, said catheter comprising:

• an elongate member formed of an insulating material;
• a first terminal means at one end of said elongate member for connection to a source of electricity;
• a tubular braid electrode surrounding said elongate member along a portion of said catheter, said electrode being disposed externally on said elongate member;
• and
• first electrical connection means for connecting said braid electrode to said terminal means, said lead comprising:
• a plurality of electrically insulating elongate members;
• for each of said elongate members, a respective tubular braid electrode surrounding one of said elongate members;
• a mechanical connection means for mechanically connecting said plurality of elongate members;
• an electrical coupling means for coupling said lead to said source of electrical energy;
• and
• an electrical connection means for electrically connecting said braid electrodes to one another and to said electrical coupling means.

A lead for implantation in the body for conducting a countershock from a source of electrical energy, comprising:

• a plurality of electrically insulating elongate members;
• for each of said elongate members, a respective tubular braid electrode surrounding one of said elongate members;
• a mechanical connection means for mechanically connecting said plurality of members,
• an electrical coupling means for coupling said lead to said source of electrical energy;
• and
• an electrical connection means for electrically connecting said braid electrodes to one another and to said electrical coupling means.

A method for providing electrical stimulation to a patient's heart comprising:

• implanting an endocardial catheter having an exposed braid electrode along a portion of its length in the patient's heart;
• providing a lead having an additional electrode along a portion of its length, said electrode being positioned so that current can flow through the patient between said braid electrode and said additional electrode;
• and
• electrically connecting said braid electrode and said additional electrode to a source of electrical stimulation energy.