High impedance electrode tip

• US 20040133259A1
• Filed: 08/28/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Goebel, Gary W., Heil, Ronald W. Jr., Cole, Mary Lee, Bartig, Jeffrey T., Janke, Aaron W., Peterfeso, Randall M., Heitkamp, Douglas A.
• Application Number:
  US10/650,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20040133259A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/127
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0573 chacterised by means penetrating the heart tissue, e.g. helix needle or hook

Abstract

An implantable lead, being either a fixed or retractable/extendable lead, having a distal tip electrode is adapted for implantation on or about the heart and for connection to a system for monitoring or stimulating cardiac activity. The electrode includes a mechanical fastener such as a fixation helix for securing the electrode to cardiac tissue, which may or may not be electrically active. The implantable electrode with a helical tip includes an electrode which has a distal end and a proximal end. A helix is disposed within the electrode, where the helix is aligned along a radial axis of the electrode. The electrode further includes one or more of the following features: the helix having a coating of an insulating material on a surface of the helix, a porous conductive surface at a base of the helix, or a porous conductive element at the end of the electrode having an insulating coating covering from 5-95% of the surface of the porous conductive element. The electrode may further include an electrode tip having a porous electrical conductive element, such as a mesh screen, disposed on a surface at the distal end of the electrode tip, which can be used as a sensing or pacing interface with the cardiac tissue.

Claims

1. A distal tip electrode adapted for implantation on or about the heart and for connection to a system for monitoring or stimulating cardiac activity, said electrode comprising:

an electrode tip;

a mesh screen disposed at a distal end of the electrode tip;

a surface at the distal end of the electrode tip;

a fixation device disposed within said electrode, said fixation device adapted for travel along radial axis of the electrode through said surface;

a guiding mechanism for directing movement of the fixation device during travel; and

a movement assembly, said movement assembly for providing movement to said fixation device.

2. The distal tip electrode as recited in claim 1, wherein said fixation device comprises a helix.

3. The distal tip electrode as recited in claim 1, wherein said movement assembly comprises a piston.

4. The distal tip electrode as recited in claim 3, wherein the piston has a slot therein, and the base further comprises a knob, said slot for mating with said knob.

5. The distal tip electrode as recited in claim 3, wherein the slot is mated with said knob to form a stop mechanism for said fixation device.

6. The distal tip electrode as recited in claim 1, wherein the mesh screen has a groove guide disposed therein.

7. The distal tip electrode as recited in claim 3, wherein said distal tip electrode further comprises a seal, said seal disposed between said piston and said base.