Epicardial lead delivery system and method

• US 20040199236A1
• Filed: 04/07/2003
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Laske, Timothy G., Kelley, James F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,162,309 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/129
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0587 Epicardial electrode systems; Endocardial electrodes piercing the pericardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0578 having means for removal or extraction

Abstract

A manipulator joined to a distal end of a delivery system shaft includes a plurality of arms and a collar. A proximal portion of each of the arms is joined to the shaft and a distal portion of each of the arms is joined to the collar such that the collar is substantially aligned with a lumen of the shaft. The lumen and the collar slideably and rotatably engage a medical electrical lead while a plurality of control wires, adapted to manipulate the manipulator, join to each of the plurality of manipulator arms in proximity to the distal end of the shaft.

Claims

1. A delivery system, comprising:

a medical electrical lead;

an elongated delivery catheter shaft including a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

a manipulator including a collar and a plurality of arms, each of the plurality of arms including a proximal portion and a distal portion, each proximal portion of the plurality of arms joining to the distal end of the delivery catheter shaft, and each distal portion of the plurality of arms joining to the collar; and

a plurality of control wires, extending from the proximal end of the shaft to the distal end of the shaft, adapted to actuate the manipulator;

wherein the collar, substantially aligned with the lumen, and the lumen slideably and rotatably engage the lead; and

each of the plurality of control wires join to each of the plurality of manipulator arms in proximity to the distal end of the shaft.

2. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of manipulator arms includes three manipulator arms.

3. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein the medical electrical lead includes a tip and the collar of the manipulator includes a distal face;

the tip of the medical electrical lead engaged against the distal face of the collar when the lead is engaged within the collar of the manipulator and within the lumen of the delivery catheter shaft.

4. The delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a shaft junction joining the proximal portion each of the plurality of arms to the shaft and wherein each of the plurality of arms includes a first flexible joint disposed between the shaft junction and the proximal portion of each of the plurality of arms, a second flexible joint disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion of each of the plurality of arms, and a third flexible joint disposed between the distal portion of each of the plurality of arms and the collar.

5. The delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a pull wire adapted to form a curve in a distal portion of the shaft, the pull wire extending from the proximal end to a point in proximity to the distal end of the shaft.

6. The delivery system of claims 1, further comprising a malleable rod extending along a portion of the shaft.

7. The delivery system of claim 6, wherein the malleable rod extends along a distal portion of the shaft.

8. The delivery system of claim 6, wherein the malleable rod extends from a point in proximity to the proximal end of the shaft to a point in proximity to the distal end of the shaft.

9. The delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a handle including a ball-and-socket pivoting joint and joined to the plurality of control wires at the proximal end of the delivery catheter shaft.

10. The delivery system of claims 1, further comprising a handle including a plurality of sliders joined to each of the plurality of control wires at the proximal end of the delivery catheter shaft.

11. The delivery system of claim 1, further comprising:

an expandable shroud positioned in proximity to the manipulator; and

a second lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the delivery catheter shaft and joined to the expandable shroud at the distal end of the shaft;

wherein the second lumen activates the shroud from the proximal end of the delivery catheter shaft.

12. The delivery system of claim 11, wherein the second lumen is formed within the shaft.

13. The delivery system of claim 11, wherein the second lumen is formed by a separate tube alongside the shaft.

14. The delivery system of claim 11, further comprising a sheath including a lumen, engaging the delivery catheter shaft, and the expandable shroud and the second lumen.

15. A method for delivering a lead, comprising:

positioning a manipulator of a delivery system in proximity to an epicardial implant site;

orienting a collar of the manipulator;

advancing a lead through a lumen of the delivery system and through the collar of the manipulator until a helix, disposed at a distal end of the lead, protrudes distally from the collar; and

rotating the lead to screw the helix into the epicardial implant site.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

expanding a shroud to create a space for the manipulator in proximity to the epicardial implant site.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the manipulator is positioned by passing the delivery system over a pre-positioned guide wire.