Expandable lead jacket

Abstract

Methods, devices and systems for separating an implanted object, such as a lead attached to a cardiac conduction device, from formed tissue within a blood vessel are provided. The methods, devices and systems for separating a lead from the tissue relate to dilating the tissue surrounding the lead from underneath the tissue and/or between the lead and the tissue.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method of performing a surgical procedure, the method comprising:
 radially expanding an expandable member located within a portion of a lead, wherein the lead is at least partially surrounded by tissue within a blood vessel, wherein the expandable member is initially in an unexpanded state;   contracting the expandable member and creating a void between the expandable member and the tissue; and   removing the lead from the tissue.   
     
     
         13 . The method of claim  11 , wherein the expandable member is an inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         14 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The method of claim  11 , wherein the lead comprises:
 a wire; and   a jacket surrounding at least a portion of the wire;   wherein the expandable member is located between the wire and the jacket.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein radially expanding the expandable member comprises radially expanding the jacket 360 degrees from the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein contracting the expandable member and creating the void between the expandable member and the tissue comprises creating the void between the jacket and the tissue. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein radially expanding the expandable member comprises applying forces radially outwardly to the jacket and radially inwardly to the wire via the expandable member. 
     
     
         25 . The method of claim  11 , wherein radially expanding the expandable member comprises delivering a fluid to the expandable member. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the lead comprises:
 a wire; and   a jacket surrounding at least a portion of the wire;   wherein the inflatable bladder is located between the wire and the jacket.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein radially expanding the inflatable bladder comprises radially expanding the jacket 360 degrees from the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein contracting the inflatable bladder and creating the void between the inflatable bladder and the tissue comprises creating the void between the jacket and the tissue. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein radially expanding the inflatable bladder comprises applying forces radially outwardly to the jacket and radially inwardly to the wire via the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         30 . The method of claim  11 , wherein removing the lead from the tissue comprises applying a traction force to the lead. 
     
     
         31 . The method of claim  11 , wherein removing the lead from the tissue comprises sliding the lead through the void. 
     
     
         32 . The method of claim  11 , wherein the blood vessel is a curved portion of the vasculature.