Cardiac lead with minimized inside diameter of sleeve

An electrode assembly for a cardiac lead, comprising:

• a first tubular sleeve having a proximal end, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a longitudinally extending lumen and an opening extending from the interior surface to the exterior surface;
• a conductor cable disposed in the lumens the conductor cable having a conductor element surrounded by a second tubular sleeve, the conductor element having a distal end not covered by the second tubular sleeve and projecting through the opening;
• an annular electrode Positioned over the first tubular sleeve and coupled to the distal end of the conductor element;
• and
• an annular member disposed over the first tubular sleeve between the first tubular sleeve and the preformed annular electrode.

An electrode assembly for a cardiac lead, comprising:

• a first sleeve having a longitudinally extending lumen, and an opening
• a conductor cable disposed in the lumen, the conductor cable having a conductor element having a distal end projecting through the opening;
• an electrode disposed over the first tubular sleeve and coupled to the distal end of the conductor element;
• and
• a seal ring disposed inside the lumen proximate the electrode, the seal ring having a passage substantially aligned with the opening through which the distal end projects, the opening having an adhesive disposed therein to secure the distal end.

A lead asembly, comprising:

• an electrode having an active fixation mechanism;
• and
• a lead body coupled to the electrode, wherein the lead body is adapted for fixation of the active fixation mechanism by twisting the lead body;
• and
• a lumen adapted for receiving a removable stylet, the stylet removable prior to engagement of the active fixation mechanism;
• the lumen includes an opening portion extending through the electrode and active fixation mechanism;
• and
• the lumen is suitable for sliding over a stylet until the active fixation mechanism reaches the distal end pre-positioned at the point of intended engagement with the endocardium.

A lead body comprising:

• an outer sleeve composed of a body dissolvable material;
• and
• at least one flexible conductor cable disposed within the outer sleeve, the conductor cable having a conductive element, and a biocompatible insulative material surrounding the conductive element;
• and
• a lumen defined at least in part by a portion of the inner surface of the outer sleeve and a portion of the conductor cable.

A lead assembly comprising:

• an electrode;
• a fixation mechanism coupled to the electrode;
• and
• a lead body having a lumen, the lumen including an opening portion extending through the electrode and fixation mechanism;
• a stylet disposed through the lumen, the stylet having a body dissolvable coating thereon;
• wherein the lumen is adapted for sliding over the stylet until the fixation mechanism reaches the distal end pre-positioned at the intended point of engagement with the endocardium.

A lead assembly comprising:

• an electrode having an active fixation mechanism;
• and
• a lead body coupled to the electrode wherein the lead body is adapted for fixation of the active fixation mechanism by twisting the lead body;
• and
• a lumen adapted for receiving a removable stylet, the stylet removable prior to engagement of the active fixation mechanism;
• and
• wherein the lead body is composed of a body dissolvable material.