Self powered pacers and stimulators

• US 3,943,936 A
• Filed: 10/09/1973
• Issued: 03/16/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rasor Associates, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Rasor Associates, Inc.
• Inventors: Rasor, Ned S., Spickler, Joseph William
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/404,764
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 128/404, 128/418, 128/419 B, 128/419 PG, 128/419 R, 128/421, 128/422, 128/2 M, 128/2.05 R, 128/303 R, 128/343, 128/348, 128/DIG. 9, 128/325, 128/260 , 128/264, 128/267, 128/268
• US Class Current: 607/35
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3785 generated by biological activity or substance, e.g. body movement

Abstract

A stimulator device for insertion in a living body, having particular advantage for intracardiac use comprising a housing having a body formed for transvenous or transarterial insertion, electrode means at the outer surface of said body, means included in said housing defining a pulsing circuit electrically connected with said electrode means and ;means for activating said pulsing circuit embodied in said housing, said activating means being free of physical connection with an outside power source and dependent for its function on the living body in which it is inserted.

Claims

1. A stimulator device for insertion in a living body, and capable of insertion in the heart, comprising a capsule having a generally cylindrical body portion including a positive pulsing electrode at its exterior surface, said body portion having in connection therewith means defining a negative pulsing stimulating electrode which is insulated from said positive electrode and has a surface portion exposed to form a leading end portion of the exterior surface of said capsule as it is applied to a body by transvenous or transarterial insertion, pulsing means connected to said electrodes having in immediate connection therewith a power source and means for activation thereof, and said capsule forming a housing containing the total of said pulsing means, power source and activating means to form threwith an integral unit having a fully contained power source and conditioned thereby to function free of outside leads or wires on placement thereof in a body by transvenous or transarterial insertion.

2. A device as in claim 1 wherein said power source includes a battery the function of which is determined by the biological load provided by the living body.

3. A device as in claim 2 wherein said battery is a nucleonic power source.

4. A device as in claim 2 wherein said battery is radioisotope fueled.

5. A device as in claim 2 characterized by said battery being contained within said capsule means forming a shield about said battery within said capsule, said battery being electrically connected with said pulsing means, and said electrode means being electrically connected with said battery and said pulsing means to form therewith a circuit in which the living body is incorporated to provide a biological load in said circuit.

6. In combination with the apparatus of claim 1, to guide the capsule to its desired location, a manipulator including plural elements for operative connection with engagement means provided on the outer surface of said capsule, a first of said elements constituting means connected with said engagement means for axially moving said capsule in the course of transvenous or transarterial insertion thereof and a second of said elements constituting a slip fit holding means positioning concentric with said moving means and having means for engaging said capsule to hold the same during the application to and release from said capsule of said moving means and said engaging means being operatively connected with said engagement means to effect a rotation of said capsule, if required.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said plural elements include a third element mounting about said first and second elements for selective axial movement with respect thereto whereby to enable it to provide at least a partial sheath for said capsule.

8. A stimulator device as in claim 1 characterized by said capsule having a minimum overall length not substantially exceeding 30mm. and a peripheral configuration the maximum transverse dimension of which does not substantially exceed 8mm.

9. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said power source includes energy storing means and means for supplying energy to said storing means which is responsive to hemodynamic pressure produced thereon by the living body in which said capsule is inserted.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said means for supplying energy to said storing means includes a portion of said capsule which is contractable and expansible in response to the application thereto and the release therefrom of hemodynamic pressure, and said expansible and contractable portion of said capsule has in connection therewith means responsive to the movement thereof to transmit the energy so produced to said energy storing means.

11. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said power source includes means defining a mass, means mounting said mass to provide for a periodic movement of said mass in response to a function of the living body and means in connection with said mounting means to transmit energy so produced to an energy storing means in connection therewith, which energy storing means is in operative connection with said pulsing means.

12. Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said mounting means includes spring means.

13. Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said spring means has in connection therewith a base including a permanent magnet.

14. Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said spring means has a base including a piezoelectric crystal stressed by movement of said mass.