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US 6,553,265 B1Granted
Cardiac stimulator lead with fluid restriction
AssigneeIntermedics, Inc.
InventorElmar R. Fischer, Sr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cardiac stimulator lead is provided that includes a connector for connecting to a cardiac stimulator and a tubular insulating sleeve that has a first end coupled to the connector and a second end. An electrode is coupled to the second end and has a longitudinal bore. An extendable/retractable corkscrew is positioned in the bore. In one aspect, the lead includes a radiopaque member moveable with the corkscrew to verify axial movement. In another aspect, the bore is configured so that the corkscrew will not extend fully unless tissue is present to engage the corkscrew. In another aspect, a shape-memory polymeric washer is included to restrict fluid influx after corkscrew deployment.
Claims41
A cardiac stimulator lead, comprising:
- a connector for connecting to a cardiac stimulator;
- a tubular insulating sleeve having a first end coupled to the connector and a second end;
- an electrode coupled to the second end and having a longitudinal bore;
- a washer disposed in the bore for restricting the influx of body fluids into the sleeve, the washer having an aperture defining a rim, the washer being composed of a shape-memory polymeric material deformable in situ from a temporary shape to a permanent shape whereby the area of the aperture is reduced in situ;
- and
- a conductor wire disposed in the sleeve and coupled between the connector and the electrode for transmitting electric signals between the cardiac stimulator and the electrode.
3 more elements
In a cardiac stimulator lead having a tubular electrode, an apparatus, comprising:
- a washer disposed in the electrode for restricting the influx of body fluids therein, the washer having an aperture defining a rim, the washer being composed of a shape-memory polymeric material deformable in situ from a temporary shape to a permanent shape whereby the area of the aperture is reduced in situ.
A cardiac lead, comprising:
- a connector;
- a tubular insulating sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the connector;
- an electrode having a longitudinal bore, the electrode coupled to the tubular insulating sleeve second end;
- a conductor wire disposed in the tubular insulating sleeve and coupled to the connector and the electrode;
- and
- a washer disposed in the longitudinal bore, the washer adapted to restrict an influx of body fluids into the tubular insulating sleeve, the washer having an aperture defining a rim, the washer composed of a shape-memory polymeric material, the washer adapted to deform in situ from a temporary shape to a permanent shape.
3 more elements
A cardiac lead, comprising:
- a connector adapted to connect to a cardiac stimulator, the connector having a pin member rotatably coupled thereto;
- a tubular insulating sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the connector;
- an electrode having a longitudinal bore, the electrode coupled to the tubular insulating sleeve second end;
- a corkscrew coupled to the electrode and projectable from and retractable into the longitudinal bore;
- a rotation device coupled between the pin member and the corkscrew;
- a conductor wire disposed in the sleeve and coupled between the connector and the electrode, the conductor wire adapted to transmit electric signals between the cardiac stimulator and the electrode;
- and
- a washer disposed in the bore, the washer adapted to restrict an influx of body fluids into the sleeve, the washer having an aperture and is composed of a shape-memory polymeric material, the washer adapted to deform in situ from a temporary shape to a permanent shape, wherein the aperture is reduced during in situ deformation of the washer back to the permanent shape.
5 more elements
An apparatus for a cardiac lead, the apparatus comprising:
- a tubular electrode adapted to be coupled with the cardiac lead;
- and
- a washer disposed in the tubular electrode, the washer adapted to restrict the influx of body fluids therein, the washer having an aperture defining a rim and composed of shape-memory polymeric material, the washer adapted to deform in situ from a temporary shape to a permanent shape.
A method for implanting a cardiac stimulator lead, the method comprising:
- slidably passing a stimulator lead through vasculature, the lead comprising:
- a connector adapted to connect to a cardiac stimulator;
- a pin member rotatably coupled to the connector;
- a tubular insulating sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the connector;
- an electrode having a longitudinal bore, the electrode coupled to the tubular insulating sleeve second end;
- a conductor wire disposed in the tubular insulating sleeve and coupled to the connector and the electrode;
- a washer disposed in the longitudinal bore, the washer adapted to restrict an influx of body fluids into the tubular insulating sleeve, the washer having an aperture defining a rim, the washer composed of a shape-memory polymeric material, the washer adapted to deform in situ from a temporary shape to a permanent shape;
- a corkscrew disposed in the longitudinal bore of the electrode, the corkscrew disposed in the aperture of the washer and is projectable from and retractable into the longitudinal bore of the electrode;
- and
- a rotation device coupled to the corkscrew and the pin member;
- abutting the electrode against cardiac tissue;
- rotating the rotation device wherein the corkscrew is rotated and urged axially out of the bore and engaging cardiac tissue;
- and
- heating the washer and deforming the washer in situ from a temporary shape to a permanent shape.
11 more elements
A method for implanting a cardiac stimulator lead, the method comprising:
- slidably passing a stimulator lead through vasculature, the lead comprising:
- a connector adapted to connect to a cardiac stimulator;
- a pin member rotatably coupled to the connector;
- a tubular insulating sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the connector;
- an electrode having a longitudinal bore, the electrode coupled to the tubular insulating sleeve second end;
- a conductor wire disposed in the tubular insulating sleeve and coupled to the connector and the electrode;
- and
- a washer disposed in the longitudinal bore, the washer adapted to restrict an influx of body fluids into the tubular insulating sleeve, the washer having an aperture defining a rim, the washer composed of a shape-memory polymeric material, the washer adapted to deform in situ from a temporary shape to a permanent shape, the washer further comprising a plurality of peripherally spaced slots that divide the rim into a plurality of collet fingers, each projecting distally from the connector, the collet fingers adapted to curl toward one another during in situ deformation of the washer back to the permanent shape;
- a corkscrew disposed in the longitudinal bore of the electrode, the corkscrew disposed in the aperture of the washer and is projectable from and retractable into the longitudinal bore of the electrode, the plurality of collet fingers having a radially inwardly facing rim adapted to engage the corkscrew when the washer deforms in situ from a temporary shape to a permanent shape;
- a rotation device coupled to the corkscrew and the pin member;
- abutting the electrode against cardiac tissue;
- rotating the rotation device wherein the corkscrew is rotated and urged axially out of the bore and engaging cardiac tissue;
- and
- heating the washer and deforming the washer in situ from a temporary shape to a permanent shape.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.