Device for the transvenous cardioversion of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter

• US 20040193240A1
• Filed: 04/05/2004
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Michel, Ulrich
• Granted Patent: US 7,366,574 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems

Abstract

A transvenous catheter for the cardioversion of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter and/or the stimulation of the heart'"'"'s activity. The catheter has an electrically active section within a heart and an electrically passive section carrying electrical cables. At least two defibrillation electrodes are located in the electrically active section and coupled to the electrical cables of the catheter. Additionally, there are at least one sensing ring electrode positioned between the at least two defibrillation electrodes and coupled to the electrical cables.

Claims

1. A catheter comprising:

a catheter body extending from a proximal end to a distal end;

two or more electrodes positioned along the catheter body, including a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode is axially spaced from the second electrode where the first electrode is positioned within a right atrium when the second electrode is positioned within a coronary sinus and substantially adjacent to a left atrium; and

means for sensing a first cardiac potential at the right atrium and a second cardiac potential at the left atrium.

2. The catheter as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for sensing the first cardiac potential at the right atrium and the second cardiac potential at the left atrium includes at least one sensing ring positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode.

3. The catheter as recited in claim 2, wherein the at least one sensing ring is axially spaced from the first electrode where the at least one sensing ring is positioned within a coronary sinus when the first electrode is positioned within the right atrium.

4. The catheter as recited in claim 2, wherein the at least one sensing ring is axially spaced from the second electrode where the at least one sensing ring is positioned within a coronary sinus when the second electrode is positioned within the coronary sinus.

5. The catheter as recited in claim 2, wherein the first electrode serves as a reference potential for voltage measured on the at least one sensing ring.

6. The catheter as recited in claim 2, wherein the second electrode serves as a reference potential for voltage measured on the at least one sensing ring.

7. The catheter as recited in claim 2, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode serve as a reference potential for voltage measured on the at least one sensing ring.

8. The catheter as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for sensing the first cardiac potential at the right atrium and the second cardiac potential at the left atrium includes at least one cap electrode positioned at the distal end of the catheter body.

9. The catheter as recited in claim 8, wherein the first electrode serves as a reference potential for voltage measured on the cap electrode.

10. The catheter as recited in claim 8, wherein the second electrode serves as a reference potential for voltage measured on the cap electrode.

11. The catheter as recited in claim 1, wherein the first electrode is a first defibrillation electrode and the second electrode is a second defibrillation electrode.

12. A method comprising:

implanting a catheter within a right atrium and a coronary sinus, wherein the catheter includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the first electrode is axially spaced from the second electrode where the first electrode is positioned within a right atrium when the second electrode is positioned within a coronary sinus and substantially adjacent to a left atrium;

monitoring a first cardiac potential at the right atrium; and

monitoring a second cardiac potential at the left atrium.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein monitoring the first cardiac potential at the right atrium includes measuring the potential between a sensing ring and the first electrode, wherein the sensing ring is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein monitoring the second cardiac potential at the left atrium includes measuring the potential between a sensing ring and the second electrode, wherein the sensing ring is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising monitoring a third cardiac potential across the right atrium and the left atrium.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein monitoring the third cardiac potential across the right atrium and the left atrium includes measuring the potential between a cap electrode and the first electrode, wherein the cap electrode is positioned at the distal end of the catheter.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising analyzing one of the first cardiac potential or the second cardiac potential for the occurrence of an atrial arrhythmia.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising analyzing the first cardiac potential and the second cardiac potential for the occurrence of an atrial arrhythmia.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising delivering atrial defibrillation energy with one of the first electrode or the second electrode.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising delivering atrial defibrillation energy with the first electrode and the second electrode.