Modified guidewire for left ventricular access lead

• US 20050027343A1
• Filed: 12/09/2003
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Westlund, Randy W., Tockman, Bruce A., Greenland, John S., Peterfeso, Randall M., Hinders, Mary N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,089,065 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22035 for retrieving or repositioning foreign objects
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09175 having specific characteristics at the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0578 having means for removal or extraction

Abstract

An improved guidewire for assisting in implantation of a cardiac lead includes three sections. The most distal zone is sufficiently floppy to prevent trauma to the vessel walls through which the guidewire and lead are inserted. An intermediate zone is generally stiffer and has a cross-section less than or equal to the cross-section of the distal zone. The third zone is stiffer yet and is joined to the intermediate zone by a shoulder. The shoulder cooperates with protrusions on the lead to transfer forces between the guidewire and lead. A finishing wire having temporary locking means to lock the finishing wire to the lead is employed to remove the guide catheter without moving the lead from its desired location. Lubricious coatings are also provided to reduce friction between the lead and guidewire.

Claims

1. Apparatus for facilitating placement of a cardiac pacing lead within the vascular system of a patient comprising:

(a) an elongated guidewire of a first predetermined flexibility and having a predetermined outer diameter and length;

(b) an elongated, polymeric lead body whose flexibility is less than the predetermined flexibility of the guidewire, the lead body have a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending therebetween, said lumen sized to receive the guidewire therethrough and with an electrode disposed on the lead body proximate the distal end thereof; and

(c) means on the guidewire adapted to cooperate with a predetermined portion of the lead body when the proximal end of the guidewire is pushed in a distal direction for positioning the electrode at a desired location in the vascular system, the flexibility of the guidewire relative to the lead body maintaining the electrode at the desired location as the guidewire is extracted from the lumen.

2-37. -37. (Canceled)