Single pass defibrillation/pacing lead with passively attached electrode for pacing and sensing

A lead adapted for endocardial implantation on or about the heart and for connection to a system for monitoring or stimulating cardiac activity, said lead comprising:

• a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a first electrode attached to the distal end of the lead body;
• and
• a second electrode attached to the lead body a selected distance away from the first electrode, said lead body formed with a curve therein to facilitate positioning of the second electrode within the heart, the second electrode further comprising a passive fixation element wherein the second electrode includes an electrically conductive ring element.

A system for delivering signals to the heart, said system comprising:

• an electronics system further comprising:
• a cardiac activity sensor;
• and
• a signal generator which produces signals to stimulate the heart;
• and
• a lead adapted for endocardial implantation on or about the heart, and for connection to the electronics system, said lead comprising:
• a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a curved portion at a selected distance from the distal end of the lead body;
• a first electrode attached to the lead body;
• and
• a second electrode attached to the lead body, said first electrode at the distal end of the lead body for contact with a first chamber of the heart and said second electrode positioned a distance from the first electrode on a curved portion of the lead body to facilitate attachment of the second electrode to the second chamber of the heart, said second electrode further comprising a passive fixation element
• wherein the second electrode includes an electrically conductive ring element.

A lead comprising:

• a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the lead body having a curved portion at a selected distance from the distal end of the lead body, the lead body defined in part by a first longitudinal axis;
• a first electrode disposed at the distal end of the lead body;
• a second electrode attached to the lead body, said second electrode positioned a predetermined distance from the first electrode to facilitate attachment of the second electrode to a second chamber of the heart, where the second electrode protrudes outwardly from the lead body, said second electrode comprising a ring electrode defined in part by a second longitudinal axis, where the first longitudinal axis is disposed transverse to the first longitudinal axis;
• and
• wherein the ring electrode includes at least one small porous tip electrode.

A lead comprising:

• a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the lead body having a curved portion at a selected distance from the distal end of the lead body, the lead body defined in part by a first longitudinal axis;
• a first electrode disposed at the distal end of the lead body;
• a second electrode attached to the lead body, said second electrode positioned a predetermined distance from the first electrode to facilitate attachment of the second electrode to a second chamber of the heart, where the second electrode protrudes outwardly from the lead body, said second electrode comprising a ring electrode defined in part by a second longitudinal axis, where the first longitudinal axis is disposed transverse to the first longitudinal axis;
• and
• wherein the ring electrode includes one or more layers of conductive mesh attached thereto.

A lead comprising:

• a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the lead body having a curved portion at a selected distance from the distal end of the lead body, the lead body defined in part by a first longitudinal axis;
• a first electrode disposed at the distal end of the lead body;
• a second electrode attached to the lead body, said second electrode positioned a predetermined distance from the first electrode to facilitate attachment of the second electrode to a second chamber of the heart, where the second electrode protrudes outwardly from the lead body, said second electrode comprising a ring electrode defined in part by a second longitudinal axis, where the first longitudinal axis is disposed transverse to the first longitudinal axis;
• and
• wherein the ring electrode includes one or more layers of conductive mesh attached thereto, where the layers are deposited on a thin band.