Lead for stimulating the baroreceptors in the pulmonary artery

• US 20050149156A1
• Filed: 12/24/2003
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Scheiner, Avram, Libbus, Imad, Heil, Ronald W. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 8,024,050 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/119
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0476 Array electrodes (including any electrode arrangement with more than one electrode for at least one of the polarities)
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension

Abstract

An apparatus includes a flexible lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, an expandable electrode coupled proximate the distal end, the expandable electrode having an expanded diameter dimensioned to abut a wall of a pulmonary artery, and an implantable pulse generator electrically coupled to the expandable electrode. The implantable pulse generator is adapted to deliver a baroreflex stimulation signal to a baroreceptor in the pulmonary artery via the electrode.

Claims

16. An apparatus comprising:

a flexible lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end;

an electrode coupled to the lead body;

an implantable pulse generator electrically coupled to the electrode, the implantable pulse generator being adapted to deliver a baroreflex stimulation signal to a baroreceptor in the pulmonary artery via the electrode;

means for passively fixating the electrode within the pulmonary artery.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the means for passively fixating includes an expandable stent structure coupled to the lead.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the stent structure includes an expanded diameter dimensioned to abut a wall of a pulmonary artery.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the expanded diameter is about 10 to 20 mm.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the expandable stent expands to fix the lead in place by frictional forces.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the expandable stent structure includes a length of at least about 1 cm.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the pulse generator delivers at least a 10 hertz pulse train via the electrode.

23. A method comprising:

implanting an expandable electrode within a pulmonary artery such that an outer surface of the expandable electrode abuts a wall of the pulmonary artery; and

delivering a baroreflex stimulation signal to a baroreceptor in the pulmonary artery via the electrode.

1. An apparatus comprising:

a flexible lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end;

an expandable electrode coupled proximate the distal end, the expandable electrode having an expanded diameter dimensioned to abut a wall of a pulmonary artery; and

an implantable pulse generator electrically coupled to the expandable electrode, wherein the implantable pulse generator is adapted to deliver a baroreflex stimulation signal to a baroreceptor in the pulmonary artery via the electrode.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable electrode includes a mesh surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable electrode expands to fix the lead in place by frictional forces.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable electrode includes a length of at least about 1 cm.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable electrode includes an expanded diameter of about 10 to 20 mm.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable electrode includes at least a partially electrically insulated surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lead includes a second electrode located proximally from the expandable electrode.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pulse generator delivers at least a 10 hertz pulse train via the electrode.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrode is adapted to be chronically implanted in the pulmonary artery.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lead further includes a sensor to monitor blood pressure.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrode is adapted to be located near the ligamentum arteriosum of the left pulmonary artery.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a sensor to sense a physiological parameter regarding an efficacy of the baroreflex therapy and to provide a signal indicative of the efficacy of the baroreflex therapy.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further including a controller connected to the pulse generator to control the baroreflex stimulation signal and to the sensor to receive the signal indicative of the efficacy of the baroreflex therapy.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lead is adapted to be fed through a right ventricle and a pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery to position the electrode in the pulmonary artery.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pulse generator is further adapted to generate a cardiac pacing signal, the lead further including a second electrode to be positioned to deliver the cardiac pacing signal to capture the heart.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein implanting includes implanting an expandable electrode having an expanded diameter dimensioned to fix the electrode in place by frictional forces.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the electrode is adapted to be chronically implanted in the pulmonary artery.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein implanting includes implanting the electrode proximate the ligamentum arteriosum of the left pulmonary artery.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein implanting includes feeding the electrode through a right ventricle and a pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery to position the electrode in the pulmonary artery.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein implanting includes implanting an expandable electrode having an expanded diameter of about 10 to 20 mm.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein delivering a baroflex stimulation signal includes an at least 10 hertz pulse train via the electrode.

25-1. The method of claim 23, further including monitoring a blood pressure.