Myocardial lead

• US 20050137672A1
• Filed: 10/22/2004
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Westlund, Randy W., Heil, Ronald W. Jr., Kelley, Peter T., Shiroff, Jason Alan, Coe, M. Sean, Palme, Donald F. II, Yingling, David B.
• Application Number:
  US10/972,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20050137672A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/126
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06109 Big needles, either gripped by hand or connectable to a handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06042 located close to needle tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0608 J-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0568 with drug delivery
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/058 Fixing tools

Abstract

The present invention is a lead for use in connection with a myocardial lead attachment system of the type having an anchor for engaging the heart and a tether extending from the anchor. The lead includes a lead body having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen for accepting the tether. A tapered tip is separate from the lead and positioned adjacent the distal end of the lead. The tip has a longitudinal through-hole for accepting the tether.

Claims

1. A lead for use in connection with a myocardial lead attachment system of the type having an anchor for engaging the heart and a tether extending from the anchor, the lead including:

a lead body having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen for accepting the tether; and

a tapered tip separate from the lead and positioned adjacent the distal end of the lead body, wherein the tip has a longitudinal through-hole for accepting the tether.

2. The lead of claim 1 wherein the tip is coupled to the distal end of the lead body.

3. The lead of claim 1 wherein the tip is free from fixed connection to the lead.

4. The lead of claim 1 wherein the tip has a reduced diameter in a direction from a proximal end to a distal end to reduce trauma to the heart as the lead is advanced through the myocardium.

5. The lead of claim 4 wherein the tip is cone shaped.

6. The lead of claim 4 wherein the tip is bullet shaped.

7. The lead of claim 1 wherein the tip is made from a dissolvable material.

8. The lead of claim 7 wherein the tip is formed from a water-soluble material.

9. The lead of claim 7 wherein the tip is formed from one of sugar, mannitol or polyethylene glycol.

10. The lead of claim 7 wherein a period of time necessary to dissolve the tip is less than a period of time in which scar tissue forms about the tip.

11. The lead of claim 7 further comprising a fixation mechanism coupled to the distal end of the lead, wherein the tip has an opening to receive the fixation mechanism and retain the fixation mechanism in a retracted configuration and upon dissolution of the tip the fixation mechanism deploys to an expanded configuration.

12. The lead of claim 7 wherein the tip includes a therapeutic drug for release as the tip dissolves.

13. The lead of claim 12 wherein the therapeutic drug is a steroid.

14. The lead of claim 1 wherein the tip is formed from a therapeutic drug-eluting material.

15. The lead of claim 14 wherein the drug is a steroid.

16. The lead of claim 1, further comprising a therapeutic drug attached to an outer surface of a portion of the lead body.

17. The lead of claim 16 wherein the therapeutic drug is a steroid.

18. The lead of claim 16 wherein the drug is attached onto an implanted portion of the lead.

19. The lead of claim 1 wherein the tip is formed from an ablatable material.

20. The lead of claim 1 further comprising:

a lock housing on the lead; and

a lock formed on a distal end of the tether and lock having a first diameter, wherein the tip through-hole has an internal diameter smaller than the lock first diameter.

21. A method of implanting a myocardial lead, the method comprising:

advancing an anchor mechanism coupled to a distal end of a tether through the myocardium to an implant site;

selecting an appropriate dilating tip having an internal through-hole;

threading the tip and lead onto the tether such that the tip is distal to the lead; and

advancing the tip and lead over the tether to the implant site.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising coupling the tip to a distal end of the lead.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising allowing the tip to dissolve.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein threading the tip and lead onto the tether further comprises inserting a fixation mechanism coupled to a distal end of the lead into an opening in the tip in a retracted configuration and dissolving the tip further includes allowing the fixation mechanism to deploy to an expanded configuration.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising releasing a therapeutic drug from the tip as the tip dissolves.

26. A method of implanting a lead into a myocardium of a heart, the method comprising:

attaching a proximal end of an anchor mechanism and tether arrangement to a needle;

advancing the needle through the heart at least until the proximal end of the tether 45 exits the heart;

detaching the needle from the tether;

tensioning the proximal end of the tether to cause the anchor mechanism to engage the heart; and

advancing a lead over the tether into the heart.