Optional use of a lead for a unitary subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

• US 20030088278A1
• Filed: 11/05/2001
• Published: 05/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cameron Incorporated (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Cameron Incorporated (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Rissmann, William J., Bardy, Gust H., Sanders, Gary H., Cappato, Riccardo
• Granted Patent: US 6,988,003 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36514 controlled by a physiological quantity other than heart potential, e.g. blood pressure controlled by two or more physical parameters A61N1/36585
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3956 Implantable devices for applying electric shocks to the heart, e.g. for cardioversion

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning over a patient'"'"'s ribcage, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator includes a housing having a first end and a second end; a first electrode disposed upon the first end of the housing; a second electrode disposed upon the second end of the housing; an electrical circuit located within the housing, wherein the electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode; and a lead electrode electrically coupled to the electrical circuit located within the housing.

Claims

1. An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning over a patient'"'"'s ribcage, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator comprising:

a housing having a first end and a second end;

a first electrode disposed upon the first end of the housing;

a second electrode disposed upon the second end of the housing;

an electrical circuit located within the housing, wherein the electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode; and

a lead electrode electrically coupled to the electrical circuit located within the housing.

2. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 1, wherein the lead electrode is coupled to the electrical circuit located within the housing through a connection port.

3. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 1, wherein the first electrode, second electrode and lead electrode can emit an energy for shocking a patient'"'"'s heart.

4. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 3, wherein the first electrode, second electrode and lead electrode can further receive sensory information.

5. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 4, wherein the sensory information that is receivable concerns a patient'"'"'s blood glucose level.

6. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 4, wherein the sensory information that is receivable concerns a patient'"'"'s respiratory rate.

7. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 4, wherein the sensory information that is receivable concerns a patient'"'"'s blood oxygen content.

8. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 4, wherein the sensory information that is receivable concerns a patient'"'"'s blood pressure.

9. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 4, wherein the sensory information that is receivable concerns a patient'"'"'s activity.

10. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 4, wherein the sensory information that is receivable concerns a patient'"'"'s cardiac output.

11. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode form a depolarization vector with respect to a patient'"'"'s heart.

12. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the lead electrode form a depolarization vector with respect to a patient'"'"'s heart.

13. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 1, wherein the first electrode and second electrode form a depolarization vector with the lead electrode with respect to a patient'"'"'s heart.

14. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the lead electrode form a depolarization vector with the second electrode with respect to a patient'"'"'s heart.

15. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit is programmed prior to implantation into the patient.

16. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 15, wherein the electrical circuit is capable of being further programmed after implantation into the patient.

17. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit can provide a cardioversion-defibrillation energy to a patient'"'"'s heart.

18. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 17, wherein the electrical circuit can further provide multiphasic waveform cardiac pacing for the patient'"'"'s heart.

19. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 17, wherein the electrical circuit can further provide monophasic waveform cardiac pacing for the patient'"'"'s heart.

20. A method of forming a plurality of depolarization vectors for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a cardioverter-defibrillator canister having a first electrode and a second electrode disposed upon a portion of the cardioverter-defibrillator canister, and an electrical circuit contained within the cardioverter-defibrillator canister that electrically couples to the first electrode and the second electrode;

providing a lead electrode that is electrically coupled to the electrical circuit contained within the cardioverter-defibrillator canister; and

positioning the cardioverter-defibrillator canister and the lead electrode subcutaneously over a patient'"'"'s ribcage.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode form a depolarization vector with respect to a patient'"'"'s heart.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the first electrode and the lead electrode form a depolarization vector with respect to a patient'"'"'s heart.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the first electrode and second electrode form a depolarization vector with the lead electrode with respect to a patient'"'"'s heart.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the first electrode and the lead electrode form a depolarization vector with the second electrode with respect to a patient'"'"'s heart.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the first electrode, second electrode and lead electrode can emit an energy for shocking a patient'"'"'s heart.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the first electrode, second electrode and lead electrode can further receive sensory information.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein the electrical circuit is programmed prior to implantation into the patient.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the electrical circuit is capable of being further programmed after implantation into the patient.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein the electrical circuit can provide a cardioversion-defibrillation energy to a patient'"'"'s heart.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the electrical circuit can further provide multiphasic waveform cardiac pacing for the patient'"'"'s heart.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the electrical circuit can further provide monophasic waveform cardiac pacing for the patient'"'"'s heart.