Cardiac lead having self-expanding fixation features

• US 20060241736A1
• Filed: 04/25/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Haldeman, Paul C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,330,765 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/126
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0585 Coronary sinus electrodes

Abstract

The present invention provides a cardiac lead for placement in the vicinity of a patient'"'"'s heart. The lead includes a self-expanding fixation mechanism, which in a retracted position, is contained within a cavity disposed at a distal end of the lead. In an expanded position, the fixation mechanism extends axially from the distal end of the lead and expands radially into contact with a desired lumen site.

Claims

1. A cardiac lead comprising:

a conductive lead body having a proximal end, a distal end, a guide lumen, and an actuator lumen, both lumens extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end of the lead body defines a cavity;

an electrode operatively coupled to the lead body;

a self-expanding fixation mechanism coupled to the distal end of the lead body, the fixation mechanism having a retracted position in which the mechanism is substantially disposed within the cavity and an expanded position in which the mechanism extends distally from the distal end of the lead body; and

an actuator adapted to advance through the actuator lumen, the actuator operable to manipulate the fixation mechanism between the retracted and expanded positions.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the guide lumen includes a distal opening disposed proximal to the cavity.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the actuator is connected to the fixation mechanism and is operable to move the fixation mechanism longitudinally.

4. The cardiac lead of claim 1 wherein the actuator comprises a stylet.

5. The cardiac lead of claim 1 wherein the actuator is removable from the actuator lumen.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein a portion of the distal end of the lead body that defines the cavity comprises a tubular sheath.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the actuator is coupled to the tubular sheath and operates to move the tubular sheath between a first position in which the actuator is in the retracted position and a second position in which the actuator is in the expanded position.

8. The cardiac lead of claim 1 wherein the fixation mechanism comprises one or more tines.

9. The cardiac lead of claim 8 wherein the tines are connected to a base member at a first end.

10. The cardiac lead of claim 9 wherein the tines are connected at first and second ends to respective base members.

11. The device of claim 8 wherein the tines, in the expanded position, extend in a sinusoidal configuration.

12. The cardiac lead of claim 8 wherein the tine comprises a hook, loop or finger configuration.

13. A cardiac rhythm management system for delivering therapy to a heart, the system comprising:

a conductive lead body having a proximal end, a distal end, a lead lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends for receiving a guiding member therein, and a cavity defined near the distal end, wherein the lead lumen is in communication with the cavity;

an electrode operatively coupled near the distal end of the lead body;

a pulse generator electrically coupled to the proximal end of the lead body; and

a self-expanding fixation mechanism coupled to the distal end of the lead body, the fixation mechanism operable between a retracted position in which the mechanism is substantially disposed within the cavity and an expanded position in which the mechanism extends distally from the distal end of the lead body,

wherein the lead body is configured to allow passage of a guiding member through the lead lumen, the cavity, and the fixation mechanism.

14. The cardiac lead of claim 13 wherein the fixation mechanism includes a channel for receiving the guiding member.

15. The cardiac lead of claim 13 wherein the fixation mechanism comprises one or more tines, which are connected to a first and a second base member located at respective first and second ends.

16. The cardiac lead of claim 15 wherein the base members have an opening for allowing passage of the guiding member.

17. The cardiac lead of claim 13 wherein the guiding member comprises a guidewire.

18. A lead for placement in a coronary vein of a human heart, the lead comprising:

a conductive lead body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lead lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end defines a cavity;

an electrode operative coupled to the lead body; and

fixation means coupled to the lead body for securing the distal end of the lead in the coronary vein.

19. The cardiac lead of claim 18 wherein the fixation mechanism comprises one or more tines.

20. The cardiac lead of claim 19 wherein the tines are connected to a base member at a first end.

21. The cardiac lead of claim 20 wherein the tines are connected at first and second ends to respective base members.

22. The device of claim 19 wherein the tines, in the expanded position, extend in a sinusoidal configuration.

23. The cardiac lead of claim 19 wherein the tine comprises a hook, loop or finger configuration.