GUIDE CATHETERS FOR ACCESSING CARDIAC SITES

• US 20090198252A1
• Filed: 04/14/2009
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kevin R Seifert, Raymond Yee
• Original Assignee: Kevin R Seifert, Raymond Yee
• Inventors: Seifert, Kevin R., Yee, Raymond
• Granted Patent: US 8,403,866 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/129
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0037 characterized by lumina being arranged side-by-side
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0578 having means for removal or extraction
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0585 Coronary sinus electrodes

Abstract

A method and apparatus for introducing a cardiac lead to an implantation site that includes a catheter body having an outer wall and a distal leader and having a proximal portion extending from the first proximal end to a second distal end. An inner member is positioned within an outer lumen of the catheter body and is spaced from the outer wall to form a first inner lumen for receiving a guide tool inserted therein and a second lumen for receiving the cardiac lead while the guide tool is positioned within the first inner lumen. A distal end of the inner member forms a first opening at a distal end of the first inner lumen and a second opening at a distal end of the second inner lumen, the first opening and the second opening positioned proximal the distal leader.

Claims

1. A guide catheter for introducing a cardiac lead having a distal fixation mechanism through a pathway from an incision to an implantation site, comprising:

an elongated catheter body extending between a first proximal end and a first distal end, the catheter body including a proximal portion extending from the first proximal end to a second distal end, and a distal leader extending distally from the second distal end to the first distal end, the catheter body forming a delivery lumen having a first diameter and an axis and extending through the proximal portion to a delivery lumen exit port positioned along the second distal end of the proximal portion, wherein the delivery lumen exit port extends away from the axis of the lumen, and a guide lumen having a second diameter less than the first diameter and extending through the proximal portion and the distal leader to a guide lumen exit port positioned at the first distal end of the catheter body, the guide lumen for receiving a guide tool inserted therein to aid in steering the catheter body through the pathway and the delivery lumen for receiving and advancing the cardiac lead toward the implantation site, wherein the delivery lumen exit port and the guide lumen exit port are separate and unconnected exit ports; and

a flange extending along the proximal portion of the catheter body in a plane different from an axis plane defined by the delivery lumen and the guide lumen to dispose the delivery lumen exit port toward the implantation site.

2. The guide catheter of claim 1, wherein the outer wall includes a tapered portion for directing advancing of a distal tip of the guide tool from a retracted position proximal the third distal end to an extended position within the outer lumen of the distal leader while a distal tip of the lead is positioned in the retracted position, and for directing advancing of the distal tip of the lead from the retracted position to the extended position while the distal tip of the guide tool is positioned in the retracted position.

3. The guide catheter of claim 1, wherein the distal fixation mechanism includes one of a fixation helix adapted to be screwed through a vessel wall into the myocardium, a hook, and a prong adapted to be extended through the vessel wall into the myocardium.

4. The guide catheter of claim 1, further comprising a tubular member extending within the outer lumen along the proximal portion, wherein the inner member is formed by the tubular member.

5. The guide catheter of claim 1, wherein the outer wall includes a tapered portion extending from a tapered portion proximal end to the second distal end so that a lumen opening formed at the second distal end is axially aligned with and has a diameter approximately equal to a diameter of the outer lumen formed by the outer wall along the distal leader, and wherein the third distal end is proximal the tapered portion.

6. The guide catheter of claim 1, wherein the guide tool is one of a guidewire, a stiffening stylet, and a steerable stylet.

7. The guide catheter of claim 1, wherein the distal fixation mechanism includes one of a fixation helix adapted to be screwed through a vessel wall into the myocardium, a hook, and a prong adapted to be extended through the vessel wall into the myocardium.