Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
33 words
A lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, comprising: a lead having a conductor disposed therein; and a stent being coupled to said conductor and partially surrounding a portion of said lead.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
A lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, comprising: a lead having a conductor disposed therein; and a stent being coupled to said conductor and partially surrounding a portion of said lead.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: means for controllably expanding said stent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means comprises: a sheath being disposed about said stent, said stent expanding in response to removal of said sheath from said stent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lead comprises a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said stent being coupled to said conductor at said distal end portion of said lead.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lead comprises a flexible member that houses said conductor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said flexible member comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein said flexible member further comprises a lumen extending from said proximal end portion to said distal end portion, said lumen being sized to accept a stylet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said lumen extends through said distal end portion to form an opening therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, comprising: a lead having a conductor disposed therein; an electrode being coupled to said conductor; and a stent being coupled to said lead. and partially surrounding a portion of said lead.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, comprising: a lead having a conductor disposed therein; an electrode being coupled to said conductor; and a stent being coupled to said lead. and partially surrounding a portion of said lead.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 8, further comprising: means for controllably expanding said stent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said means comprises: a sheath being disposed about said stent, said stent expanding in response to removal of said sheath from said stent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said lead comprises a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said stent being coupled to said lead proximate said distal end portion of said lead.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said lead comprises a flexible member that houses said conductor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said flexible member comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein said flexible member further comprises a lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end, said lumen being sized to accept a stylet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 13, wherein said lumen extends through said distal end to form an opening therein.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said stent is coupled to said conductor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
A lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, comprising: a lead being adapted to transmit electrical signals; a stent being coupled to said lead and partially surrounding a portion of said lead; and a sheath disposed about said stent, said stent expanding in response to removal of said sheath from said stent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
A lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, comprising: a lead being adapted to transmit electrical signals; a stent being coupled to said lead and partially surrounding a portion of said lead; and a sheath disposed about said stent, said stent expanding in response to removal of said sheath from said stent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said lead comprises a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said stent being coupled to said distal end portion of said lead.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said lead comprises a flexible member of biocompatible material that houses a conductor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 18, wherein said conductor comprises an electrically insulative coating of biocompatible material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 18, wherein said stent is coupled to said conductor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said lead comprises a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and wherein said lead further comprises a lumen extending from said proximal end portion to said distal end portion, said lumen being sized to accept a stylet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 21, wherein said lumen extends through said distal end portion to form an opening therein.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
116 words
A lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, comprising: an elongated lead having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis; a conductor disposed in said elongated lead and extending from said proximal end portion of said lead to said distal end portion of said lead; and a stent having a longitudinal axis, said stent being disposed relative to said elongated lead with the longitudinal axis of said stent being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongated lead, said stent being comprised of conductive material and being coupled to said conductor, said stent being radially expandable relative to its longitudinal axis and partially surrounding a portion of said lead.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
116 words
A lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, comprising: an elongated lead having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis; a conductor disposed in said elongated lead and extending from said proximal end portion of said lead to said distal end portion of said lead; and a stent having a longitudinal axis, said stent being disposed relative to said elongated lead with the longitudinal axis of said stent being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongated lead, said stent being comprised of conductive material and being coupled to said conductor, said stent being radially expandable relative to its longitudinal axis and partially surrounding a portion of said lead.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
62 words
In a lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, wherein said lead assembly comprises a lead being adapted to transmit electrical signals, the improvement comprising: means for transmitting said electrical signals between said lead and said body vessel and a stent coupled to said lead and partially surrounding a portion of said lead for anchoring said lead within said body vessel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
62 words
In a lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, wherein said lead assembly comprises a lead being adapted to transmit electrical signals, the improvement comprising: means for transmitting said electrical signals between said lead and said body vessel and a stent coupled to said lead and partially surrounding a portion of said lead for anchoring said lead within said body vessel.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 24, wherein said stent is partially coated with biocompatible material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 24, wherein said stent expands to contact said body vessel.