Electrical Conduction Block Implant Device

• US 20090171431A1
• Filed: 03/02/2009
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Richard Cornelius, Robert C. Beesley, Robert Seth Schwartz
• Original Assignee: Richard Cornelius, Robert C. Beesley, Robert Seth Schwartz
• Inventors: Cornelius, Richard, Schwartz, Robert S., Swanson, William
• Application Number:
  US12/396,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20090171431A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.110
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320725 with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements A61B17/32075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2487 Devices within the heart chamber, e.g. splints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/848 having means for fixation to the vessel wall, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/91 made from perforated sheet material or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/915 with bands having a meander structure, adjacent bands being connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/8483 Barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91525 within the whole structure different bands showing different meander characteristics, e.g. frequency or amplitude
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91533 characterised by the phase between adjacent bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/9511 the retaining means being filaments or wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/9665 with additional retaining means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrical block implant sized and shaped for securement at the perimeter of the pulmonary ostium of the left atrium. By utilizing various expandable ring designs and optional anchoring mechanisms, the present invention causes even, circular scarring around the perimeter of the pulmonary ostium, achieving reliable blocking of aberrant electrical signals responsible for atrial fibrillation.

Claims

1. A delivery mechanism for an electrical conduction block device comprising:

a catheter having an inner shaft and a movable sheath;

said movable sheath surrounding said inner shaft;

a plurality of expandable arms disposed at a distal end of said inner shaft;

a distal end of each expandable arm having a retention mechanism engageable with one end of said electrical conduction block device; and

,

said plurality of expandable arms being selectively expanded or contracted according to movement of said movable sheath.

2. A delivery mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said retention mechanism comprises a wire that connects said distal end of each expandable arm to a portion of said electrical conduction bock device.

3. A delivery mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said retention mechanism comprises a strip of material that fits within a groove of a portion of said electrical conduction block device.

4. A delivery mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said retention mechanism further comprises a wire for securing said strip of material in said groove.

5. A delivery mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said retention mechanism comprises a cradle that receives a portion of said electrical conduction block device wherein a wire secures said portion of said electrical conduction block device in said cradle.

6. A delivery mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said retention mechanism includes a plurality of wires that are insertable into a hole of a portion of said electrical conduction block, wherein at least one of said wires has a portion with a larger diameter than the other of said plurality of wires.

7. A delivery mechanism for an expandable electrical conduction block device comprising:

a catheter having an inner shaft and a movable sheath;

said movable sheath surrounding said inner shaft;

a ring of pins disposed at a distal end of said inner shaft;

each of said pins being engageable with a mating portion of one end of said electrical conduction block device;

said pins and said mating portion of one end of said electrical conduction block being prevented from disengagement so long as said movable sheath covers said ring of pins; and

,

said movable sheath being movable over said ring of pins in one of a forward and reverse direction depending on a deployment decision by a user.