DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE IMPLANTATION OF ACTIVE FIXATION MEDICAL LEADS

• US 20100217277A1
• Filed: 02/25/2009
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Truong, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 8,747,417 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/129
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0573 chacterised by means penetrating the heart tissue, e.g. helix needle or hook

Abstract

A lead implantation tool is disclosed herein. The tool may be configured to operably couple to a lead connector end of an implantable cardiac electrotherapy lead including an active fixation helix tip and wherein the lead connector end includes a contact pin proximally extending from the lead connector end. The tool may include a feature configured to couple to the contact pin and a first mechanism configured to convert linear movement into rotational movement of the contact pin relative to the lead connector end. The tool may further include a second mechanism that causes a stylet extending through the tool and into the contact pin to at least one of distally and proximally displace within the contact pin.

Claims

1. A tool for operably coupling to a lead connector end of an implantable cardiac electrotherapy lead including an active fixation helix tip, wherein the lead connector end includes a contact pin proximally extending from the lead connector end, the tool comprising:

a feature configured to couple to the contact pin; and

a first mechanism configured to convert linear movement into rotational movement of the contact pin relative to the lead connector end.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the linear movement extends along a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the contact pin.

3. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a hand graspable frame supporting the first mechanism which includes a first member linearly displaceable along the frame, wherein the first mechanism converts linear movement of the first member into the rotational movement of the contact pin.

4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first mechanism includes a worm gear and a first member that displaces parallel to a longitudinal axis of the worm gear to cause the worm gear to rotate along the longitudinal axis of the worm gear.

5. The tool of claim 4, wherein the first mechanism is operably coupled to the feature so rotation of the worm gear causes rotation of the feature.

6. The tool of claim 5, wherein the first mechanism further includes a first gear and the feature includes a second gear that is operably coupled to the first gear.

7. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a second mechanism that causes a stylet extending through the tool and into the contact pin to at least one of distally and proximally displace within the contact pin.

8. The tool of claim 7, further comprising a hand graspable frame supporting the first and second mechanisms, wherein the first mechanism includes a first member linearly displaceable along the frame and the first mechanism converts linear movement of the first member into the rotational movement of the contact pin.

9. A tool for operably coupling to a lead connector end of an implantable cardiac electrotherapy lead including an active fixation helix tip, wherein the lead connector end includes a contact pin proximally extending from the lead connector end, the tool comprising:

a feature configured to couple to the contact pin; and

means for converting linear movement into rotational movement of the contact pin relative to the lead connector end.

10. The tool of claim 9, further comprising means for causing a stylet extending through the tool and into the contact pin to at least one of distally and proximally displace within the contact pin.

11. A tool for operably coupling to a lead connector end of an implantable cardiac electrotherapy lead including an active fixation helix tip, wherein the lead connector end includes a contact pin proximally extending from the lead connector end, the tool comprising:

a handle including a first digit engagable member linearly displaceable along the handle;

a worm gear operably coupled to the handle and first digit engagable member, wherein linear displacement of the first digit engagable member results in rotational displacement of the worm gear;

an axle operably coupled to the worm gear and configured to operably couple with the contact pin, wherein rotation of the worm gear results in rotation of the axle; and

a first feature that engages the lead connector end, wherein rotation of the axle causes the contact pin to rotate relative to the lead connector end.

12. The tool of claim 11, wherein the axle includes a first toothed gear and the worm gear includes a second toothed gear in toothed engagement with the first toothed gear.

13. The tool of claim 12, wherein the diameter of the second toothed gear exceeds the diameter of the first toothed gear.

14. The tool of claim 11, wherein the axis of the axle and the axis of the worm gear are parallel and offset from each other.

15. The tool of claim 11, further comprising a second digit engagable member linearly displaceable along the handle and operably coupled to a second feature configured to engage a stylet extending through the handle and into the contact pin.

16. A method of implanting a cardiac electrotherapy lead including an active fixation helix tip and a lead connector end including a contact pin mechanically coupled to the helix tip, wherein rotation of the contact pin causes rotation of the helix tip, the method comprising:

providing the lead and a delivery tool;

coupling the lead connector end to the tool, wherein the contact pin is operably coupled to a rotation mechanism of the tool; and

linearly displacing a first member on a handle of the tool, the linear displacement causing the rotation mechanism of the tool to rotate the contact pin relative to the lead connector end.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising linearly displacing a second member on the handle of the tool, the linear displacement causing a stylet routed through the contact pin to displace at least one of distally and proximally within the lead.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the linear displacement of the second member causes a distal end of the lead to be located at an implantation site.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the linear displacement of the first member causes the helix tip to screw into cardiac tissue at the implantation site.

20. A tool for implanting a cardiac electrotherapy lead including an active fixation helix tip and a lead connector end including a contact pin, the tool comprising:

a handle including a first member displaceable relative to the handle; and

a rotation mechanism including a contact pin engagement feature rotatable relative to the handle and operably coupled to the first member;

wherein displacement of the first member causes the contact pin engagement feature to rotate.

21. The tool of claim 20, wherein the displacement of the first member relative to the handle is linear.

22. The tool of claim 20, wherein the linear displacement is in a distal-proximal direction.

23. The tool of claim 20, further comprising a second member displaceable relative to the handle, wherein displacement of the second member causes a stylet to at least one of distally and proximally displace through the contact pin.