Transvenous cardiovascular integrated lead anchoring sleeve, protector, and permanent lead introducer stop gap

• US 4,437,475 A
• Filed: 08/28/1981
• Issued: 03/20/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: White, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US06/297,469
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 128/784-786, 128/419 P, 128/214.4, 604/178
• US Class Current: 607/126
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0582 Suture sleeves

Abstract

A body implantable lead having an anchoring sleeve slideably affixed thereto. The anchoring sleeve is generally cylindrical in shape, having a cylindrical lumen through which the main body of the body implantable lead passes. Since the lumen within the anchoring sleeve is smaller than the diameter of the electrode fixation device at the distal end and the electrical connector at the proximal end of the body implantable lead, the anchoring sleeve is fixedly, though slideably attached to the body implantable lead. The anchoring sleeve is molded of a body compatible material such as silicone or polyurethane. Small serrations of body compatible material within the lumen of the anchoring sleeve generate sufficient friction such that the anchoring sleeve does not slide along the body implantable lead from the sheer force of gravity. The distal end of the anchoring sleeve is tapered or otherwise suitably shaped to permit it to occlude a permanent lead introducer and/or blood vessel during implantation. A groove about the body of the anchoring sleeve permits ready attachment through suturing.

Claims

1. A body implantable lead comprising:

a conductor having a proximal end and a distal end;

an insulating sheath of body compatible material having an outside diameter, covering said conductor;

an electrode having an outside diameter greater than the outside diameter of said insulating sheath, coupled to said distal end of said conductor;

an electrical connector having an outside diameter greater than the outside diameter of said insulating sheath, coupled to said proximal end of said conductor; and

an anchoring sleeve fabricated of a pliant, compressible material, having a proximal end, a distal end, a circumferential suture groove completely encircling said anchoring sleeve and a lumen with an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of said insulating sheath, through which said insulating sheath passes, said electrode and said electrical connector each having an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the lumen of said anchoring sleeve whereby said anchoring sleeve is permanently attached and slideably mounted about said insulating sheath.

2. A body implantable lead according to claim 1 wherein the circumferential groove of said anchoring sleeve is located intermediate the proximal and distal ends of said anchoring sleeve, and wherein said anchoring sleeve has a first outside diameter, at the circumferential groove of said anchoring sleeve, said anchoring sleeve having a second outside diameter, less than said first outside diameter, at the distal end of said anchoring sleeve and a third outside diameter, less than said first outside diameter at the proximal end of said anchoring sleeve, said anchoring sleeve tapering smoothly from said first outside diameter to said third outside diameter and from said first outside diameter to said second outside diameter.

3. A body implantable lead comprising:

a conductor having a proximal end and a distal end;

an insulating sheath of body compatible material, having an outside diameter, covering said conductor;

an electrode coupled to said distal end of said conductor;

an electrical connector coupled to said proximal end of said conductor; and

an anchoring sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen with an inside diameter which is at least as large as said outside diameter, through which said insulating sheath passes, said anchoring sleeve having a first outside diameter located intermediate the proximal and distal ends of said anchoring sleeve, having a second outside diameter less than said first outside diameter at the distal end of said anchoring sleeve and having a third outside diameter less than said first outside diameter at the proximal end of said anchoring sleeve, said anchoring sleeve tapering smoothly from said first outside diameter to said second and third outside diameters, said anchoring sleeve further having a circumferential suture groove completely encircling said anchoring sleeve at the location of said first outer diameter.

4. A body implantable lead according to claim 3 wherein said inside diameter of said lumen of said anchoring sleeve is greater than said outside diameter of said insulating sheath.