APPARATUS FOR REMOVING AN ELONGATED STRUCTURE INPLANTED IN BIOLOGICAL TISSUE

摘要

Heart lead removal apparatus and method are disclosed for removing a heart lead from the wall of a heart through a blood vessel leading to the heart. The apparatus comprises a flexible stylet with an expandable member inserted within a coiled structure of the heart lead. When expanded the member grasps the distal end of the stylet and enables it to be extracted without rupture of the stylet.