Precise cardiac lead placement based on impedance measurements
OwnerKarel Smits, Chester Strubleinventors
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Abstract
A method of implanting a medical lead includes measuring impedance associated with an electrode disposed on an implantable lead at a cardiac location, and positioning the electrode based on the measured impedance. The method may be used specifically for positioning a medical lead within the interventricular septum that separates the left and right ventricles of the heart. By using impedance as an indication of the positioning of the lead, the implantation process can be improved and simplified, and negative effects associated with piercing the left ventricular wall can be avoided.
Claims40
A method of implanting a medical lead comprising:
- measuring electrical impedance between an electrode disposed on an implantable lead and a reference potential as the electrode is positioned within cardiac tissue ;
- and
- positioning the electrode at a location in the cardiac tissue based on the measured impedance.
A system comprising:
- an implantable lead including an electrode disposed on the lead;
- and
- an implantation output device coupled to the lead that generates impedance measurements indicative of impedance between the electrode disposed on the lead and a reference electrode, and generates a lead location output signal based on the impedance measurements.
An implantable medical lead comprising:
- an outer lead including a proximal end, a distal end, and anchoring features disposed at the distal end, wherein the outer lead further includes a threaded channel;
- and
- an inner lead including a proximal end, a distal end, and an electrode disposed at the distal end of the inner lead, wherein the inner lead includes spiral anchoring features that threadedly engage the threaded channel.
An implantable medical device comprising:
- a medical lead including:
- an outer lead including a proximal end, a distal end, and anchoring features disposed at the distal end, wherein the outer lead further includes a threaded channel;
- and
- an inner lead including a proximal end, a distal end, and an electrode disposed at the distal end of the inner lead, wherein the inner lead includes spiral anchoring features that threadedly engage the threaded channel;
- and
- a pacemaker coupled to the proximal ends.
A system comprising:
- an implantable lead including an electrode;
- and
- a lead location means coupled to the lead, for generating impedance measurements indicative of impedance between the electrode disposed on the lead and a reference electrode and generating a lead location output signal based on the received impedance measurements.
An implantable medical lead comprising:
- an outer lead including a proximal end, a distal end, and means for anchoring the outer lead on a right ventricular wall disposed at the distal end, wherein the outer lead further includes a threaded channel;
- and
- an inner lead including a proximal end, a distal end, and an electrode disposed at the distal end of the inner lead, wherein the inner lead includes means for anchoring the inner lead into an interventricular septum, wherein the means for anchoring the inner lead threadedly engages the threaded channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.