Directional stimulation leads and methods
AssigneeAtaCor Medical, Inc.
InventorsRick Sanghera, Alan Marcovecchio, Sean P. McGeehan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, methods and devices for delivering stimulating energy with a lead having a directional electrode are disclosed. The lead includes a directional electrode having an electrically active portion configured to emanate stimulating energy from an exposed portion of the directional electrode. The lead also has an electrically insulating portion around at least part of the circumference of the lead. The electrically insulating portion is configured to insulate surrounding muscle and/or tissue from the stimulating energy when the lead is implanted in the patient.
Claims18
A lead for implantation in a patient, the lead comprising:
- a directional electrode configured for implantation on or near the inner surface of a rib or the inner surface of the innermost intercostal muscle and not physically in contact with the heart or the pericardium of the heart, the directional electrode having an electrically active portion configured to emanate stimulating energy from an exposed portion of the directional electrode toward the pericardium and the heart;
- and
- an electrically insulating portion around at least part of a circumference of the lead, the electrically insulating portion configured to insulate surrounding muscle and/or tissue from the stimulating energy when the lead is implanted in the patient.
A method of implanting a lead in a patient, the lead having a directional electrode and an electrically insulating portion around at least part of a circumference of the lead, the directional electrode having an electrically active portion configured to emanate stimulating energy from an exposed portion of the directional electrode, the method comprising:
- placing the lead in the patient such that the electrically insulating portion of the lead is on or near an inner surface of a rib or an inner surface of the innermost intercostal muscle of the patient and not physically in contact with the heart or the pericardium of the heart where the electrically insulating portion insulates the intercostal muscle from the stimulating energy;
- and
- directing the directional electrode of the lead toward a heart of the patient.
A cardiac pacing system comprising:
- a lead implanted in a patient through an intercostal space and on or near an inner surface of a rib or an inner surface of an innermost intercostal muscle in a region of a cardiac notch of the patient and not physically in contact with the heart or the pericardium of the heart, the lead comprising:
- a directional electrode having an electrically active portion configured to emanate stimulating energy from an exposed portion of the directional electrode toward the pericardium and the heart;
- and
- an electrically insulating portion around at least part of a circumference of the lead, the lead implanted such that the electrically insulating portion insulates surrounding muscle and/or tissue from the stimulating energy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.