CARDIAC LEAD HAVING SELF-EXPANDING FIXATION FEATURES

• US 20080097567A1
• Filed: 12/17/2007
• Published: 04/24/2008
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 7,801,627 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/128
• 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

A cardiac lead for placement in the vicinity of a patient'"'"'s heart is described. 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 lead body including a conductor extending from a proximal end configured to be connected to a pulse generator to a distal end defining a cavity and a guide lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

an electrode operative coupled to the conductor;

a fixation mechanism adapted to transition from an expanded configuration to a retracted configuration, the fixation mechanism including a base at least partially disposed within the cavity and one or more expandable tines connected at a proximal end there of to the base, the fixation mechanism defining a channel extending through the base, the channel facilitating extension of a guiding member beyond the distal end of the lead body;

an

an actuator operable to manipulate the fixation mechanism from the expanded configuration to the retracted configuration; and

a guiding member adapted to extend through the channel defined by the fixation member and beyond the distal end of the lead body.

2. The cardiac lead of claim 1, wherein in the retracted configuration, the fixation mechanism is substantially disposed within the cavity and wherein in the expanded position, the fixation mechanism extends distally from the distal end of the lead body.

3. The cardiac lead of claim 1, wherein the actuator is connected to the fixation mechanism.

4. The cardiac lead of claim 1, wherein the actuator is connected to the fixation mechanism and is operable to move the fixation mechanism longitudinally from the expanded configuration to the retracted configuration.

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

6. The cardiac lead of claim 1, further comprising an actuator lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end.

7. The cardiac lead of claim 1, wherein the guiding member comprises a guidewire.

8. The cardiac lead of claim 1, wherein the fixation mechanism comprises one or more discrete tines having a sinusoidal, loop, hook, leaf, or finger configuration.

9. The cardiac lead of claim 1, wherein the fixation mechanism comprises one or more discrete tines having a sinusoidal configuration.

10. The cardiac lead of claim 1, wherein the fixation mechanism comprises one or more discrete tines having a loop configuration.

11. The cardiac lead of claim 1, wherein the fixation mechanism includes one or more times comprising a shape memory material.

12. A cardiac lead comprising:

a lead body including a conductor extending from a proximal end configured to be connected to a pulse generator to a distal end defining a cavity and a guide lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

an electrode operative coupled to the conductor;

a fixation mechanism configured to facilitate extension of a guiding member beyond the distal end of the lead body, the fixation mechanism adapted to transition from an expanded position to a retracted position; and

a guiding member adapted to extend beyond the distal end of the lead body.

13. The cardiac lead according to claim 12, further comprising an actuator mechanism operable to manipulate the fixation mechanism from the expanded configuration to the retracted configuration.

14. The cardiac lead according to claim 12, wherein the fixation mechanism further comprises a base at least partially disposed within the cavity, one or more expandable tines connected at a proximal end thereof to the base, and a channel defined in and extending through the base, the channel facilitating extension of the guiding member beyond the distal end of the lead body.

15. The cardiac lead of claim 12, wherein in the retracted configuration, the fixation mechanism is substantially disposed within the cavity and wherein in the expanded position, the fixation mechanism extends distally from the distal end of the lead body.

16. The cardiac lead of claim 14, wherein the fixation mechanism comprises one or more discrete tines having a sinusoidal, loop, hook, leaf, or finger configuration.

17. The cardiac lead of claim 14, wherein the fixation mechanism includes one or more tines comprising a shape memory material.

18. A method of implanting a cardiac lead comprising:

providing a cardiac lead comprising a lead body including a conductor extending from a proximal end configured to be connected to a pulse generator to a distal end defining a cavity, guide lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, an electrode operatively coupled to the conductor; and

a fixation mechanism adapted to transition from an expanded configuration to a retracted configuration;

the fixation mechanism configured to facilitate extension of a guiding member beyond the distal end of the lead body;

guiding the lead body and the fixation mechanism over the guiding member to a desired vessel site;

positioning the distal end of the lead body at the desired vessel site;

deploying the fixation mechanism such that the fixation member transitions from the retracted configuration in which the fixation mechanism is substantially disposed within the cavity defined by the distal end of the lead body to the expanded configuration in which the fixation member at least partially extends beyond the distal end of the lead body; and

transitioning the fixation mechanism from the expanded configuration to the retracted configuration.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising reposition the distal end of the lead body.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of repositioning the distal end of the lead body further comprises re-deploying the fixation mechanism such that the fixation mechanism transitions from the retracted configuration to the expanded configuration.