EXTENDABLE AND RETRACTABLE LEAD HAVING A SNAP-FIT TERMINAL CONNECTOR

• US 20080262587A1
• Filed: 06/23/2008
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Hum, Larry L., Shiroff, Jason Alan, Ley, Gregory R., Flynn, David M., Skubitz, Jason, Soltis, Brian David, Knapp, Christopher Paul, Werlein, Carol, Brenzel, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,209,035 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/127
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0573 chacterised by means penetrating the heart tissue, e.g. helix needle or hook
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

A lead having an extendable and retractable fixation mechanism has a rotating terminal pin at the terminal end which rotates the fixation mechanism at the distal end. As the terminal pin is rotated, the fixation mechanism is extended or retracted from the distal end of the lead. A threaded collar allows for the fixation mechanism to smoothly extend and retract from the lead, and allows for a 1:1 turn ratio between the terminal pin and the fixation mechanism. A fluoroscopic ring disposed at the distal end of the lead provides information during the implantation process.

Claims

1. A lead assembly comprising:

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

at least one conductor disposed within the lead body and extending from the proximal end portion;

an electrically conductive terminal pin disposed at the proximal end portion of the lead body, the electrically conductive terminal pin coupled with the at least one conductor;

an active fixation mechanism disposed proximate to the distal end portion of the lead body and including a fixation helix, the fixation helix is an electrode;

the active fixation mechanism including a movement assembly coupled therewith;

the movement assembly extends and retracts the active fixation mechanism, the movement assembly including a shell having an internal helical threaded portion; and

a collar having an external helical threaded portion, the internal threaded portion provides a helical path for the external threaded portion.

2. The lead as recited in claim 1, further comprising a stop that blocks rotation of the external helical threaded portion.

3. The lead as recited in claim 1, wherein the shell is formed of polyetheretherketone.

4. The lead as recited in claim 1, wherein the shell includes a first shell portion and a second shell portion coupled together.

5. The lead as recited in claim 1, wherein the shell is a semi cylindrical collar.

6. The lead as recited in claim 1, further comprising a mesh screen at the distal end portion of the lead body.

7. The lead as recited in claim 1, wherein the terminal pin is part of a terminal assembly including a snap fit coupling.

8. A lead assembly comprising:

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

at least one conductor disposed within the lead body and extending from the proximal end portion;

an electrically conductive terminal pin disposed at the proximal end portion of the lead body, the electrically conductive terminal pin coupled with the at least one conductor;

an active fixation mechanism disposed proximate to the distal end portion of the lead body and including a fixation helix, the fixation helix is an electrode, an electrode base electrically coupled with the at least one electrical conductor, the electrode base including external helical threads; and

a shell having an internal helical threads, the internal helical threaded provide a path for the external threads of the electrode base, the shell formed of polyetheretherketone.

9. The lead as recited in claim 8, further comprising a stop that blocks rotation of the external helical threads.

10. The lead as recited in claim 9, wherein the stop is on the internal threads.

11. The lead as recited in claim 9, wherein the stop is on an outer shell.

12. The lead as recited in claim 8, wherein the shell includes a first shell portion and a second shell portion coupled together.

13. The lead as recited in claim 8, wherein the shell is a semi cylindrical collar.

14. The lead as recited in claim 8, further comprising a mesh screen at the distal end portion of the lead body.

15. The lead as recited in claim 8, wherein the terminal pin is part of a terminal assembly including a snap fit coupling.

16. The lead as recited in claim 8, further comprising a fluoroscopy ring disposed about the fixation helix.

17. A method comprising:

rotating a terminal pin of a lead assembly, the lead assembly including a lead body extending from a distal end portion to a proximal end portion, at least one conductor disposed within the lead body and extending from the proximal end portion, an electrically conductive terminal pin disposed at the proximal end portion of the lead body, the electrically conductive terminal pin coupled with the at least one conductor, an active fixation mechanism disposed proximate to the distal end portion of the lead body and including a fixation helix, the fixation helix is an electrode, an electrode base electrically coupled with the at least one electrical conductor, the electrode base including external helical threads, a shell having an internal helical threads, the internal helical threads provide a path for the external threads of the electrode base; and

engaging the internal threads with the internal threads and translating the electrode base along an axis of the lead assembly.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the shell is formed of polyetheretherketone.

19. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising blocking rotation of the active fixation assembly with a stop.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein blocking rotation of the active fixation assembly includes blocking rotation with the stop on the internal threads.