LEAD DELIVERY DEVICE AND METHOD

• US 20090326631A1
• Filed: 07/01/2009
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Spears, Stanten C., Asleson, Andrea J., Hayden, Scott W., Yasger, Kendra, Tobin, Lindsey M., Drake, Ronald A., Fiedler, Gary, Waldhauser, Steven Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 8,229,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22047 Means for immobilising the guide wire in the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22048 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0585 Coronary sinus electrodes

Abstract

A lead delivery apparatus includes an electrically conductive lead for an implantable medical device, a delivery shaft for delivering the lead to a target site, a fixator and a pulley structure. A flexible member is coupled to the delivery shaft and the lead and engages the pulley structure such that pulling a first portion of the flexible member moves the lead to the target site.

Claims

1. A lead delivery apparatus comprising:

an electrically conductive lead for an implantable medical device;

a delivery shaft for delivering the lead to a target site;

a fixator coupled to a distal portion of the delivery shaft;

a pulley structure; and

a flexible member having first and second portions, the flexible member coupled to the delivery shaft and the lead, the flexible member engaging the pulley structure such that pulling the first portion moves the lead to the target site.

2. The lead delivery device of claim 1, wherein the flexible member passes through a longitudinal passage of the delivery shaft in a first direction, changes direction at the pulley structure and passes through a longitudinal passage of the lead on a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction.

3. The lead delivery device of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is coupled to the delivery shaft outside the delivery shaft along a first direction, changes direction at the pulley structure and is coupled to the lead outside the lead along a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction.

4. The lead delivery device of claim 1, wherein the pulley structure comprises a side opening at the distal portion of the delivery shaft, the side opening communicating with the longitudinal passage of the delivery shaft.

5. The lead delivery device of claim 4, wherein the delivery shaft comprises a fixator catheter.

6. The lead delivery device of claim 4, wherein the delivery shaft comprises a guidewire.

7. The lead delivery device of claim 4, wherein the fixator comprises an expandable fixator.

8. The lead delivery device of claim 4, wherein the fixator comprises an inflatable balloon.

9. The lead delivery device of claim 4, wherein the distal portion of the deliver shaft has stiffness and dimensions for frictional attachment to the target site.

10. The lead delivery device of claim 1, wherein a distal portion of the delivery shaft deforms to a U-shape, the U-shape forming a fixator and a pulley structure at the target site.

11. The lead delivery device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the flexible member is coiled around a distal portion of the delivery shaft.

12. The lead delivery device of claim 4, further comprising a guidewire passing from outside the delivery shaft into and through a longitudinal inner passage of the fixator.

13. The lead delivery device of claim 4, further comprising a guidewire passing through the longitudinal passage of the delivery shaft and through a longitudinal inner passage of the fixator.

14. The lead delivery device of claim 1, further comprising retainer means for retaining the flexible member on the lead.

15. The lead delivery device of claim 14, wherein the retainer means includes a retainer external to the lead.

16. The lead delivery device of claim 14, wherein the retainer means includes a retainer internal to the lead.

17. A method of delivering a medical lead to an anatomic target site, the method comprising:

providing a delivery shaft and a fixator attached to a distal portion of the delivery shaft, the delivery shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal passage between the proximal and distal ends;

passing a flexible member having first and second ends through the longitudinal passage of the delivery shaft in a first orientation, around a pulley structure and out of the delivery shaft in a second direction substantially opposite to the first orientation such the first end of the flexible member remains outside the deliver shaft;

inserting the lead delivery shaft loaded with the flexible member on a distal portion of the delivery shaft through cardiac tissue;

fixating the fixator to a target site in a blood vessel;

coupling a lead over a portion of the flexible member associated with the second direction;

pulling the first end of the flexible member away from the proximal end of the delivery shaft in a first direction; and

advancing the lead toward the target site in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

securing the lead on the flexible member with a retainer.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein securing the lead on the flexible member with a retainer includes securing the lead with a retainer within a lumen of the lead.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein securing the lead on the flexible member with a retainer includes securing the lead with a retainer outside a lumen of the lead.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising passing the delivery shaft over a guidewire.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein passing the delivery shaft over a guidewire includes passing the guidewire outside the delivery shaft and through a passage of the fixator.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein passing the delivery shaft over a guidewire includes passing the guidewire through the delivery shaft and through a passage of the fixator.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

removing the retainer; and

removing the flexible member.

25. A method of delivering a medical lead to an anatomic target site, the method comprising:

inserting a guidewire to cardiac target site;

providing a catheter with a fixator and a flexible member having first and second ends, the flexible member coupled to a pulley structure;

positioning the catheter over the guidewire;

fixating the catheter at the target site with the fixator;

coupling a medical lead to the flexible member;

pulling the first end of flexible member in a first direction away from the target site;

advancing the lead to the target site;

removing the guidewire; and

removing the catheter and the fixator.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein removing the catheter and the fixator includes detaching and removing a retainer securing the lead to the flexible member.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein removing the catheter and the fixator includes detaching the fixator.