Pacing method and apparatus

• US 20030204233A1
• Filed: 04/29/2002
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Laske, Timothy G., Williams, Terrell M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,177,704 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/127
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart

Abstract

The present invention provides for a method and apparatus providing pacing to improve the hemodynamics of the heart for patients with AV nodal block, right/left bundle branch block, and heart failure. A lead body having at least one conductor with an insulative sleeve is introduced into the right atrium of a heart. A partially masked helical electrode connected to the conductor is then secured preferably into the atrial aspect of the atrioventricular septum. The electrical conductor is then rotated such that an unmasked portion of the electrode is moved to a depth within the heart tissue substantially near the heart'"'"'s intrinsic conduction system. This method and apparatus allow pacing in a natural manner via low power stimulation of the heart'"'"'s intrinsic conduction system.

Claims

1. A medical electrical lead comprising:

a lead body having at least one conductor with an electrically insulative sleeve positioned over the conductor;

an electrode disposed at a distal end of the lead body, said electrode electrically connected to the conductor, said electrode having a shape adapted to provide fixation into tissue of a heart;

an electrically insulative material masking proximal and distal ends of the electrode; and

an intermediate unmasked conductive portion of the electrode positioned between the masked proximal and distal ends of the electrode to provide electrical stimulation to the heart'"'"'s intrinsic conduction system at a depth within the heart tissue substantially near the heart'"'"'s intrinsic conduction system.

2. The medical electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the electrode is masked along a sufficient length of the electrode such that insertion of only the masked distal end and the unmasked portion in the heart tissue provide stable fixation.

3. The medical electrical lead of claim 2, wherein at least one full turn of the electrode of the unmasked portion is unmasked.

4. The medical electrical lead of claim 3, wherein at least one full turn of the electrode masked along at the distal end.

5. The medical electrical lead of claim 4, wherein at least one full turn of the electrode is masked at the proximal end.

6. The medical electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the lead body is comprised of an insulative material.

7. The medical electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the conductor is a helical coil.

8. The medical electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the conductor is an elongated conductor.

9. The medical electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the lead body is a bipolar lead body.

10. The medical electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the lead body is a multipolar lead body.

11. The medical electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the unmasked portion of the electrode is centered on the electrode.

12. The medical electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the insulative material is a substantially inert material.

13. The medical electrical lead of claim 1, wherein the helical electrode has a length of not less than 3 millimeters.

14. The medical electrical lead of claim 13, wherein the helical electrode provides stable fixation after three turns of the electrode.

15. A method for stimulating a heart comprising the steps of:

introducing a lead body having at least one conductor with an insulative sleeve into the right side of a heart;

securing a partially masked helical electrode connected to the conductor to the heart; and

rotating the electrical conductor such that an unmasked portion of the electrode is at a depth substantially near the heart'"'"'s intrinsic conduction system to provide low power paced stimulation of the intrinsic conduction system.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the lead body is comprised of an insulative material.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the conductor is a helical coil.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the conductor is an elongated conductor.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the masking material is located at the proximal and the distal end of the electrode.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the lead body is a bipolar lead body.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the lead is a multipolar lead body.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the unmasked portion of the electrode is centered on the electrode.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the insulative material is a substantially inert material.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the electrode is at least 3 millimeters long.

25. A medical electrical lead comprising:

a lead body having at least one conductor with an electrically insulative sleeve positioned over the conductor;

an electrode disposed at a distal end of the lead body, said electrode electrically connected to the conductor, said electrode being adapted to provide fixation into tissue of a heart;

an electrically insulative material masking a distal end of the electrode; and

an unmasked conductive portion of the electrode positioned proximally of the masked distal end of the electrode to provide low power electrical stimulation to the heart'"'"'s intrinsic conduction system at a depth within the heart tissue substantially near the heart'"'"'s intrinsic conduction system.