Soluble covering for cardiac pacing electrode
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An intravascular lead implantable inside a patient, including:
- an electrode having a fixation element for effecting penetration into endocardial tissue at a selected location to secure said electrode at said selected location;
a flexible electrical conductor;
a flexible, biocompatible dielectric sheath surrounding said conductor along substantially the entire length thereof; and
a coupling means for electrically and mechanically joining said electrode to a distal end of said conductor, whereby the conductor and electrode transmit electrical signals between said selected location and a proximal end of said conductor; and
a biocompatible covering surrounding said fixation element for facilitating intravascular movement of said electrode, said covering soluble in body fluids, stable in an ambient environment, having a melting point of at least 60°
C., tending to maintain its structural integrity in an environment of bodily fluids at approximately body temperature, and having thickness selected to allow at least a predetermined minimum time for the intravascular insertion of said electrode and the positioning of said electrode at least proximate said selected location, before said covering dissolves sufficiently to expose said fixation element and permit said penetration, said covering consisting essentially of at least one of the following constituents;
mannitol;
dextrose;
sorbose;
sucrose;
sodium chloride;
potassium chloride; and
sodium carbonate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A biocompatible covering, soluble in body fluids, surrounds the fixation helix of an implantable cardiac electrode as the electrode, and its adjoining lead, are inserted intravenously to a selected cardiac chamber. The covering size and shape are selected for protection of blood vessels and other body tissues during insertion, and for exposure of the fixation element shortly after its proper positioning. The covering may be applied to the fixation element by a dip coating process, or formed separately by casting or injection molding, for later attachment to the lead distal end using an adhesive.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An intravascular lead implantable inside a patient, including:
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an electrode having a fixation element for effecting penetration into endocardial tissue at a selected location to secure said electrode at said selected location;
a flexible electrical conductor;
a flexible, biocompatible dielectric sheath surrounding said conductor along substantially the entire length thereof; and
a coupling means for electrically and mechanically joining said electrode to a distal end of said conductor, whereby the conductor and electrode transmit electrical signals between said selected location and a proximal end of said conductor; anda biocompatible covering surrounding said fixation element for facilitating intravascular movement of said electrode, said covering soluble in body fluids, stable in an ambient environment, having a melting point of at least 60°
C., tending to maintain its structural integrity in an environment of bodily fluids at approximately body temperature, and having thickness selected to allow at least a predetermined minimum time for the intravascular insertion of said electrode and the positioning of said electrode at least proximate said selected location, before said covering dissolves sufficiently to expose said fixation element and permit said penetration, said covering consisting essentially of at least one of the following constituents;
mannitol;
dextrose;
sorbose;
sucrose;
sodium chloride;
potassium chloride; and
sodium carbonate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for facilitating intravascular insertion of a body implantable device, comprising:
a body implantable device, a fixation element at a distal end of said device, and a bicompatible, non-pyrogenic covering substantially surrounding said fixation element, said covering having a melting point of at least 60°
C., being stable in an ambient environment, soluble in body fluids, tending to maintain its structural integrity in an environment of bodily fluids at approximatley body temperature, and having a thickness selected to allow at least a predetermined time for the intravascular insertion of said distal end at least proximate to a selected location inside a body of a living animal, before said covering dissolves sufficiently to expose said fixation element to permit penetration of the fixation element into body tissue at said selected location, said covering consisting essentially of at least one of the following constituents;
mannitol;
dextrose;
sorbose;
asucrose;
sodium chloride;
sodium carbonate; and
potassium chloride.- View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An intravascular lead implantable inside a patient, including:
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an electrode having a fixation element for effecting penetration into endocardial tissue at a selected location to secure said electrode at said selected location;
a flexible electrical conductor;
a flexible, biocompatible dielectric sheath surrounding said conductor along substantially the entire length thereof; and
a coupling means for electrically and mechanically joining said electrode to a distal end of said conductor, whereby the conductor and electrode transmit electrical signals between said selected location and a proximal end of said conductor; anda biocompatible covering surrounding said fixation element for facilitating intravascular movement of said electrode, said covering soluble in body fluids, stable in an ambient environment, having a melting point of at least 60°
C., tending to maintain its structural integrity in an environment of bodily fluids at approximately body temperature, and having a thickness selected to allow at least a predetermined minimum time for the intravascular insertion of said electrode and the positioning of said electrode at least proximate said selected location, before said covering dissolves sufficiently to expose said fixation element and permit said penetration, wherein said covering is formed by dip coating said fixation element with a liquid melt of material comprising said covering.
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Specification