Body implantable lead and electrode
First Claim
1. In a body implantable lead of the type including a proximal end adapted for connection to an electrical device and a distal end adapted to contact living tissue and a conductor extending between the proximal and distal ends, the improvement comprising a first segment of said conductor having a first flexibility and an axial mechanical loading characteristic and a second segment of said conductor having a second flexibility greater than said first flexibility and incapable of sustaining said axial mechanical loading characteristic.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A body implantable, intravascular lead affixed with a pin or pins at its proximal end adapted to be connected to a pulse generator and with an electrode or electrodes at its distal end adapted to be placed in contact with the endocardium. An electrical conductor(s) encased within a nonconductive material substantially inert to body fluids and tissues electrically connects the electrode(s) with the pin(s) and is comprised of a first length of resilient conductor having a first flexibility and an axial mechanical loading characteristic and a second length of the conductor having a second flexibility greater than the first flexibility and incapable of sustaining the axial mechanical loading characteristic. A dumbbell shaped electrode body provides sufficient size and weight to maintain the distal end of the lead in the apex of the right ventricle.
120 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. In a body implantable lead of the type including a proximal end adapted for connection to an electrical device and a distal end adapted to contact living tissue and a conductor extending between the proximal and distal ends, the improvement comprising a first segment of said conductor having a first flexibility and an axial mechanical loading characteristic and a second segment of said conductor having a second flexibility greater than said first flexibility and incapable of sustaining said axial mechanical loading characteristic.
-
2. A body implantable lead comprising:
-
(a) a length of electrical conductor having a proximal end and a distal end, said electrical conductor comprising a first segment of conductor having a first flexibility and capable of bearing an axial mechanical force and a second segment of conductor having a second flexibility greater than said first flexibility and incapable of sustaining said axial mechanical force; (b) connector means for electrically connecting said proximal end of said electrical conductor to an electrical device for conducting electrical signals to and from said electrical device; (c) electrode means electrically connected to the distal end of said conductor for transmitting and receiving electrical signals to and from body tissue; and (d) means substantially inert to body fluids and tissues for electrically insulating said electrical conductor from body tissue. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A body implantable lead of material substantially inert to body fluids and tissue having a length of electrically insulated, flexible conductor, a connector pin at the proximal end of said conductor, an electrode adapted to contact the tissue of a living body at the distal end of said conductor, a lumen extending the length of the insulated conductor adapted to receive a stiffening stylet for straightening and imparting stiffness to said lead, said flexible conductor further comprising:
-
(a) a first segment of coiled wire extending through a predetermined length of said lead, said coiled wire having a first flexibility imparting an axial mechanical loading force to said lead; and (b) a second segment of conductor electrically connected to said first segment, said second segment having a second flexibility exceeding the first flexibility of said first segment rendering said second segment incapable of sustaining said axial mechanical loading force. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
-
-
11. In a body implantable lead of the type including a proximal end adapted for connection to an electrical device, a distal end adapted to contact living tissue and a conductor extending between the proximal and distal ends thereof, the improvement in said distal end comprising:
-
(a) a generally elongated, cylindrical body of electrically insulating material extending a predetermined distance along said distal end of said conductor and having a predetermined diameter at a point between the two ends thereof; and
having(b) conductive electrode means on the surface of said elongated body having a surface area smaller than the surface area of said body; (d) a first generally conically shaped flange extending from one end of said body towards said point of predetermined diameter; and (e) a second generally conically shaped flange extending from the other end of said body towards said point of predetermined diameter. - View Dependent Claims (12)
-
Specification