US 5,769,881 A · Endocardial lead with multiple branches

Abstract

A lead assembly includes a proximal end that has a connector for electrical connection to a cardiac stimulator, such as a pacemaker, a cardioverter/defibrillator, or a sensing instrument. The lead assembly includes an elongated proximal tubular portion that extends distally from the connector. The distal end of the proximal tubular portion is provided with a branch assembly that is joined distally to two elongated distal lead branches. The distal branches are provided, respectively, with lead tips that each function as electrodes for transferring electrical signals from and/or to the myocardium. The branch assembly includes structure for enabling a surgeon to selectively manipulate the distal branches using a single stylet passed through a single lumen in the proximal tubular portion.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A branch assembly for a cardiac lead, said cardiac lead having a proximal tubular portion, a first distal branch, and a second distal branch, said first and second distal branches being adapted to be spatially manipulated by a stylet, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end adapted to be coupled to said proximal tubular portion, a first flange adapted to be coupled to said first distal branch, a second flange adapted to be coupled to said second distal branch, an inlet passage, and a chamber extending from said inlet passage to said first and second branches;
and
a diverter member coupled to said housing and being disposed in said chamber, said diverter member having a narrowed edge projecting proximally within said chamber whereby said stylet may be selectively wedged to either said first branch or said second branch when said stylet is thrust against said diverter member.

An assembly for spatially manipulating the branches of a multiple branch cardiac lead, said cardiac lead having a proximal tubular portion, a first distal branch, and a second distal branch, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end adapted to be coupled to said proximal tubular portion, a first flange adapted to be coupled to said first distal branch, a second flange adapted to be coupled to said second distal branch, an inlet passage, a chamber extending from said inlet passage to said first and second flanges, and a diverter member coupled to said housing and being disposed in said chamber, said diverter member having a narrowed edge projecting proximally within said chamber;
a stylet having a cross-section matching said inlet passage and removably inserted in said inlet passage;
and
whereby said stylet may enter said inlet passage and may be selectively wedged to either said first branch or said second branch when said stylet is thrust against said diverter member.

1 more element

A cardiac lead adapted to exchange electrical impulses with myocardial tissue and adapted to be manipulated spatially via a stylet, comprising:

a proximal tubular portion adapted to be coupled proximally to said cardiac stimulator;
a housing coupled proximally to said proximal tubular portion, said housing having a first flange, a second flange, an inlet passage, a chamber in communication with said inlet passage, and a diverter member coupled to said housing and being disposed in said chamber, said diverter member having a narrowed edge projecting proximally within said chamber;
a first lead branch coupled to said first branch and having a first electrode coupled to said first lead branch distally;
a second lead branch coupled to said second branch and having a second electrode coupled to said second lead branch distally;
and
whereby said stylet may engage said inlet passage enabling said stylet to thereafter be selectively wedged to enter either said first branch or said second branch when said stylet is thrust against said diverter member.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Endocardial lead with multiple branches

Life of this patent

Endocardial lead with multiple branches

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16