Anchor for electrode delivery system

• US 20060293741A1
• Filed: 06/28/2005
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Johnson, Eric T., Tockman, Bruce A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,019,438 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/86 Stents in a form characterised by the wire-like elements; Stents in the form characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
• 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 is device for delivering an electrode into a lateral vein of the coronary sinus. The device includes a support structure, a stent, a tether coupled to the stent and a removable sheath disposed about the stent. The stent is carried on the support structure and is deployable from a first collapsed configuration to a second expanded configuration for engaging the inner walls of the selected vessel. The sheath is sized to retain the stent in the first collapsed configuration. The electrode is carried on the stent or on a lead threaded over the tether.

Claims

1. An electrode delivery system for delivering an electrode into a coronary vein, the electrode delivery system comprising:

a support structure having a proximal end and a distal end;

a stent deployable from a first collapsed configuration to a second expanded configuration, the stent removably coupled about the distal end of the support structure, the stent sized to receive at least a portion of a lead;

a tether coupled to the stent, the tether having a first portion extending distal to the stent and a second portion extending proximally from the first portion; and

a removable sheath disposed around the stent and sized to retain the stent in the first collapsed configuration,

wherein, in the second configuration, the stent frictionally engages the coronary vein to anchor the tether.

2. The electrode delivery system of claim 1 wherein the stent is coated with a material adapted to reduce tissue ingrowth.

3. The electrode delivery system of claim 1 wherein the stent is coated with a drug-eluting material.

4. The electrode delivery system of claim 1 wherein either of the stent and the tether are formed from a material that is biodegradable or bioabsorbable.

5. The electrode delivery system of claim 1 wherein the tether is detachably coupled to the stent.

6. The electrode delivery system of claim 1 wherein the sheath is a dissolvable coating formed about the stent.

7. The electrode delivery system of claim 1 wherein the support structure is a catheter.

8. The electrode delivery system of claim 7 further comprising a cardiac lead having an electrode and an internal lumen extending therethrough for receiving the tether.

9. The electrode delivery system of claim 1 wherein the support structure is a cardiac lead, the cardiac lead having an electrode and an internal lumen extending therethrough for receiving the tether.

10. The electrode delivery system of claim 1 further comprising an electrode coupled to the stent, wherein the electrode is electrically coupled to the tether.

11. The electrode delivery system of claim 10 wherein the electrode is an electrically active region of the stent.

12. The electrode delivery system of claim 10 wherein the electrode has a concave shape to facilitate contacting a surface of the heart.

13. The electrode delivery system of claim 10 wherein the electrode is electrically isolated from the stent.

14. A device for delivering an electrode into a branch vein of the coronary sinus, the device comprising:

an expandable stent means for anchoring an electrode in the branch vein;

a tether having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein a first portion of the tether extends distal to the stent and a second portion extends proximally from the first portion;

a sheath removably disposed about the stent means; and

an electrode coupled to the stent means.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the electrode is an electrically active region of the stent means, and further wherein the electrode is electrically coupled to the tether.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the stent means is coated with a non-conductive material except for the electrically active region.

17. The device of claim 14 wherein the electrode is electrically isolated from the stent means.

18. A method for implanting an electrode into a branch vein of the coronary sinus of the heart, the method comprising:

advancing a support structure into a branch vein, the support structure carrying a stent coupled to a tether, the stent retained in a collapsed configuration about the support structure by a sheath;

at least partially removing the sheath;

deploying the stent into an at least partially expanded configuration in frictional engagement with an inner wall of the branch vein at a fixation location; and

positioning an electrode coupled to the stent in contact with a surface of a heart.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising withdrawing the support structure and wherein positioning the electrode further includes threading a cardiac lead carrying the electrode over the tether into the branch vein.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the cardiac lead is threaded over the tether before the stent is advanced into the branch vein.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the support structure is a cardiac lead having an electrode and wherein advancing the support structure includes advancing a guide catheter into the branch vein and advancing the lead through the guide catheter into the branch vein.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein positioning the electrode further includes rotating the stent.

23. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

performing electrical mapping activities with the electrode;

determining whether the fixation location is appropriate for chronic sensing and pacing; and

repositioning the stent if the fixation site is inappropriate for sensing and pacing.