"J" Stylet wire

• US 4,381,013 A
• Filed: 03/19/1981
• Issued: 04/26/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Dutcher, Robert G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Kyle L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sykes, Angela D.
• Application Number:
  US06/244,933
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419 P, 128/348, 128/784-786, 128/DIG. 9, 128/642, 128/656-658, 128/772, 128/349 R
• US Class Current: 607/127
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems

Abstract

A body implantable lead having a two-piece stylet. An inner solid portion of the stylet enables a shape to be imparted to the stylet to allow proper maneuvering of the lead during implant. A second portion of the stylet is slideably located coaxially about the first portion. The second portion of the stylet permits the imposition of a torque at the distal end of the implantable lead by the turning of a knob fixedly attached to the proximal end of the second portion of the stylet. The second portion of the stylet is a helically wound coil. The two-piece stylet is inserted into the proximal end of the body implantable lead. The distal end of the body implantable lead is located in the position desired through the use of the solid inner first portion of the stylet in which a bend or other desired shape has been introduced. The body implantable lead is permanently attached to the muscle tissue by a fixation device activated through the torque supplied by the second portion of the stylet. The two portions of the stylet may be fabricated from a variety of materials.

Claims

1. A body implantable lead comprising:

a conductor having a proximal end and a distal end and having a lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end;

an insulating sheath covering said conductor;

fixation means for securing said distal end of said conductor to body tissue;

electrical connector attached to said proximal end of said conductor for electrically coupling said conductor to an electrical generator;

stylet means removably located within said lumen of said conductor for imparting a curve to a portion of the distal end of the conductor for guiding placement of said distal end of said conductor; and

flexible means, having a proximal end, rotatably and removably located within said lumen of said conductor coaxial to said stylet means for transferring torque induced at said proximal end of said flexible means to said fixation means while said stylet means imparts a curve to the distal end portion of said conductor.

2. A body implantable lead according to claim 1 wherein said stylet means is inserted coaxially within said flexible means.

3. A body implantable lead according to claim 2 wherein said fixation means is a helically wound fixation coil having a sharpened tip whereby said fixation means may be screwed into said body tissue.

4. A body implantable lead according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 wherein said stylet means is a solid stylet wire having a proximal end.

5. A body implantable lead according to claim 4 wherein said flexible means has a proximal end and a distal end and has a lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end.

6. A body implantable lead according to claim 5 wherein said flexible means further comprises a knob fixedly attached to said proximal end of said flexible means.

7. A body implantable lead according to claim 6 wherein said flexible means is of a coil of body compatible metal.

8. A body implantable lead according to claim 6 wherein said flexible means is of a body compatible plastic.

9. A body implantable lead according to claim 7 wherein said stylet means further comprises a knob fixedly attached to said proximal end of said stylet wire.

10. A body implantable lead according to claim 8 wherein said stylet means further comprises a knob fixedly attached to said proximal end of said stylet wire.

11. A body implantable lead comprising:

a conductor having a proximal end and a distal end and having a lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end;

an insulative sheath covering said conductor;

an electrode coupled to the distal end of said conductor;

electrical connector means attached to said proximal end of said conductor for electrically coupling said conductor to an electrical generator;

stylet means removably located within said lumen of said conductor for imparting a curve to a portion of the distal end of the conductor to guide the electrode to a desired position in the heart; and

flexible means, having a proximal end, rotatably and removably located within the lumen of said conductor coaxial to said stylet means for transferring torque induced at said proximal end of said flexible means to the distal end of said conductor while said stylet means imparts a curve to the distal end portion of said conductor.

12. A body implantable lead according to claim 11 wherein said stylet means is inserted coaxially within said flexible means.

13. A body implantable lead according to claim 11 or 12 wherein said stylet means is a solid stylet wire having a proximal end.

14. A body implantable lead according to claim 13 wherein said flexible means has a proximal end and a distal end and has a lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end.

15. A body implantable lead according to claim 14 wherein said flexible means further comprises a knob fixedly attached to said proximal end of said flexible means.

16. A body implantable lead according to claim 15 wherein said flexible means is of a coil of body compatible metal.

17. A body implantable lead according to claim 15 wherein said flexible means is of a body compatible plastic.

18. A body implantable lead according to claim 16 wherein said stylet means further comprises a knob fixedly attached to said proximal end of said stylet wire.

19. A body implantable lead according to claim 17 wherein said stylet means further comprises a knob fixedly attached to said proximal end of said stylet wire.