# US 12,179,014 B2 · Transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation system

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- Number: US 12,179,014 B2
- Document ID: US12179014B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/525,060
- Filed: 2019-07-29
- Published: 2019-11-21
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2005-11-18
- Assignees: Zoll Respicardia, Inc.
- Applicants: Zoll Respicardia, Inc.
- Inventors: Randy W. Westlund; Mark Gelfand
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179014B2

## CPC

- A61N 1/0558: {Anchoring or fixation means therefor}
- A61N 1/05: for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode (A61N1/06 takes precedence)
- A61N 1/0551: {Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes}
- A61N 1/3605: {Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system}
- A61N 1/3611: {Respiration control (stimulating respiratory organs A61N1/3601)}
- A61N 1/3601: {of respiratory organs}
- A61N 1/3684: {for stimulating the heart at multiple sites of the ventricle or the atrium}
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)

## Abstract

A lead system and method of use for treating breathing disorders by the transvenous stimulation of the phrenic nerve.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electrical stimulation lead for delivering energy to a nerve lying close to a vein of a patient comprising:
an elongate lead body having a proximal end and a distal end;
a plurality of electrodes to stimulate a phrenic nerve of the patient, the plurality of electrodes being located along the elongate lead body near the distal end;
a proximal connector included in the proximal end and having an electrical connection;
a plurality of conductors located in an interior of the elongate lead body connecting each electrode of the plurality of electrodes to the electrical connection; and
a plurality of bend curves, all of the plurality of bend curves being free of any of the plurality of electrodes and having arcuate shapes to cause a bias force to be exerted by the electrical stimulation lead to maintain the distal end substantially immobile in a pericardiophrenic vein of the patient, wherein at least one bend curve of the plurality of bend curves is configured to apply a bias force to a vessel wall of the pericardiophrenic vein, wherein the at least one bend curve is shaped to deflect around a radius such that the bias force stabilizes the plurality of electrodes in the pericardiophrenic vein.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The electrical stimulation lead of claim 1, wherein a first section of the elongate lead body lies in a first plane and a second section of the elongate lead body lies in a second plane which intersects the first plane.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The electrical stimulation lead of claim 2, wherein the second plane intersects the first plane at an angle of about 15 degrees.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The electrical stimulation lead of claim 2, wherein the second section of the elongate lead body terminates in a tapered distal tip segment.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The electrical stimulation lead of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the elongate lead body terminates in a tapered distal tip segment.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The electrical stimulation lead of claim 5, wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes is disposed proximal of the tapered distal tip segment.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The electrical stimulation lead of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes includes only two electrodes.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The electrical stimulation lead of claim 1, wherein the elongate lead body includes a stylet lumen extending partially through the elongate lead body.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The electrical stimulation lead of claim 1, wherein the elongate lead body includes a drug-eluting coating.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The electrical stimulation lead of claim 1, wherein the elongate lead body includes a guide wire lumen.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The electrical stimulation lead of claim 10, wherein the guide wire lumen extends entirely through the elongate lead body.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The electrical stimulation lead of claim 1, wherein the elongate lead body is configured to accept insertion of a guide wire for implantation of the elongate lead body in the pericardiophrenic vein of the patient.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The electrical stimulation lead of claim 12, wherein the guide wire is configured to straighten the elongate lead body.