Method and apparatus for endovenous pacing lead

• US 20050177218A1
• Filed: 04/06/2005
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Dornberger, Volker, Kramm, Berthold
• Application Number:
  US11/099,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20050177218A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/120
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0057 Catheters delivering medicament other than through a conventional lumen, e.g. porous walls or hydrogel coatings
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0177 having external means for receiving guide wires, wires or stiffening members, e.g. loops, clamps or lateral tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0568 with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0585 Coronary sinus electrodes

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for inserting electrical leads within a heart. In one aspect of the present invention, a method for positioning a medical electrical lead in a cardiac vein is disclosed. The method comprises inserting a lead within a coronary sinus, dispersing at least one vasodilating agent to dilate at least one cardiac vein, and inserting the lead into a dilated cardiac vein.

Claims

1. A medical electrical lead, comprising:

a distal end portion of the lead capable of insertion into the coronary sinus of a patient; and

a distribution device attached to the distal end portion of the lead adapted for dissipation of a material into the coronary sinus and into a cardiac vein.

2. A medical electrical lead, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the material is a vasodilating agent.

3. A medical electrical lead, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lead is an over-the-wire lead.

4. A medical electrical lead, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lead comprises an elongated flexible body.

5. A medical electrical lead, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the elongated flexible body comprises a flexible tube.

6. A medical electrical lead, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the elongated flexible body comprises a tube constructed with material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane and silicone.

7. A medical electrical lead, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said lead is tapered along a longitudinal axis of the elongated flexible body.

8. A medical electrical lead, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lead comprises a core of electrically conductive material surrounded by a layer of insulative material.

9. A medical electrical lead, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lead comprises an electrode coupled to its distal end.

10. A medical electrical lead, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lead comprises an expandable helical coil coupled to its distal end.

11. An apparatus, comprising:

a lead having a first electrode positioned adjacent a distal end portion thereof; and

means for dispersing at least one vasodilating agent adjacent the distal end portion.

12. A medical catheter device, comprising:

a flexible tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end;

a first lumen disposed within the flexible tubular body capable of transporting an electrical lead through the first lumen and out the distal end of the flexible tubular body; and

means of dispersing a vasodilating agent adjacent the distal end of the flexible tubular body.

13. The medical catheter device of claim 12, wherein the means of dissipating a vasodilating agent further comprises a distribution device attached near the distal end of the tubular body.

14. The medical catheter device of claim 13, wherein the distribution device attached near the distal end of the tubular body comprises a chemically modified material.

15. The medical catheter device of claim 13, wherein the distribution device attached near the distal end of the tubular body comprises a sponge-like saturated material.

16. The medical catheter device of claim 13, wherein the catheter device further comprises a second lumen for transporting the vasodilating agent from the proximal end to the distal end of the tubular body.

17. A medical catheter device, comprising:

a flexible tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end;

a first lumen disposed within the flexible tubular body capable of transporting an electrical lead through the first lumen and out the distal end of the flexible tubular body; and

a distribution device capable of emitting a vasodilating agent adjacent the distal end of the flexible tubular body.

18. The medical catheter device of claim 17, wherein the catheter device further comprises a second lumen for transporting the vasodilating agent from the proximal end to the distal end of the tubular body.