Heart pacemaker system with shape-memory metal components

• US 4,913,147 A
• Filed: 09/23/1987
• Issued: 04/03/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter AB (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Fahlstrom, Ulf, Hirschberg, Jakub
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/100,250
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419 P, 128/786, 128/785, 439/161
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/058 Fixing tools

Abstract

A heart pacemaker system has an electrode line with a proximal end which is introduced into a connector of the pacemaker housing, and a distal end having an electrode head attachable to the heart of a user. One or more of the distal or proximal ends of the electrode line, the connector, or a region of the electrode line are provided with a component consisting of shape-memory metal. These components have a first shape at temperatures different from body temperature, and assume a second shape when at body temperature. The shape-memory metal component, if disposed at the proximal end of the electrode line or at the connector, is arrnaged to provide a firm mechanical and electrical connection of the electrode line with the pacemaker housing upon the change of shape of the component. The shape-memory metal component, if disposed at the distal end, is arranged to assist in providing, either directly or indirectly, a reliable, mechanical and electrical connection of the electrode line to the heart upon the change of shape of the component. The shape-memory metal component, if disposed in a region of the electrode line between the proximal and distal ends, assumes a first shape permitting easy introduction of the line through a vein, and a second shape after introduction, such as a curve.

Claims

1. A heart pacemaker system comprising:

a pacemaker;

an electrode line having a proximal end connected to said pacemaker and a distal end, said proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal direction therebetween;

fixing means disposed at said distal end of said electrode line for interacting with a wall of the heart of a patient to assist in retention of said distal end of said electrode line against said wall of the heart of a patient, said electrode line having an outer radial diameter adapted for permitting insertion of said electrode line through a vein of said patient; and

a component consisting of shape-memory metal separate from but in contact with said fixing means which assumes a first shape at a first temperature which maintains said fixing means substantially at said outer radial diameter of said electrode line, and which assumes a second shape at a second temperature causing said fixing means at said distal end to project radially beyond said outer diameter, said second shape differing from said first shape only by being radially larger than said first shape.

2. A heart pacemaker system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrode line includes an electrical conductor surrounded by deformable electrical insulation, and wherein said component consisting of said shape-memory metal is disposed between said electrical conductor and said insulation.

4. A heart pacemaker system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrode line is covered with an electrically insulating sheath and wherein said fixing means further includes a plurality of bristles formed at said distal end as a part of said insulating sheath, and wherein said component consisting of shape-memory metal is disposed around said insulating sheath beneath said bristles such that said component in said first shape maintains said bristles against said sheath and in said second shape forces said bristles away from said sheath.

5. A heart pacemaker system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first shape of said shape-memory metal is annular and said second shape is angular.

6. A heart pacemaker system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first shape of said shape-memory metal is annular and wherein said second shape is oval.

7. A heart pacemaker system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrode line has an electrical conductor, and wherein said component consisting of shape-memory metal consists of at least one prong, and herein said component in said first shape is disposed against said electrical conductor, and wherein said component in said second shape projects away from said electrical conductor.

3. A heart pacemaker system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said electrical conductor has a channel in which said component consisting of shape-memory metal is received.

8. A heart pacemaker system comprising:

a pacemaker;

an electrode line having a proximal end connected to said pacemaker and a distal end; and

traumatic fixing means disposed at said distal end of said electrode line for assisting in retention of said distal end of said electrode line against a wall of the heart of a patient, said fixing means including a hollow member having an open end, and a helical electrode, a piston and a component consisting of shape-memory metal disposed in said hollow member with said helical electrode closest to said open end and said piston between said helical electrode and said component consisting of shape-memory metal, said component consisting of shape-memory metal assuming a first shape at a first temperature which maintains said helical electrode within said hollow member, and assuming a second shape at a second temperature which moves said piston within said hollow member and forces said helical electrode out of said open end of said hollow member so as to at least partially project therefrom.

9. A heart pacemaker system comprising:

a pacemaker;

an electrode line having a proximal end connected to said pacemaker and a distal end; and

fixing means disposed at said distal end of said electrode line for assisting in retaining said distal end of said electrode line against a wall of the heart of a patient, said fixing means including a hollow member having an open end, and a helical component consisting of shape-memory metal disposed within said hollow member, said helical component assuming a first shape at a first temperature which is fully contained within said hollow member, and assuming a second shape at a second temperature which at least partially projects from said open end of said hollow member.

10. A heart pacemaker system comprising:

a pacemaker;

an electrode line having a proximal end connected to said pacemaker and a distal end; and

fixing means disposed at said distal end of said electrode line for assisting in attachment of said distal end of said electrode line to the myocardium of the heart of a patient, said fixing means including a hollow chamber and a helical component consisting of shape-memory metal and having opposite ends each adapted to penetrate the myocardium, said helical component assuming a first shape at a first temperature which is fully contained within said chamber, and a second shape at a second temperature with both of said ends projecting from said chamber.

11. A heart pacemaker system comprising:

an electrode line having a proximal end and a distal end;

a pacemaker having a connector means for attaching said proximal end of said electrode line to said pacemaker, said connector means and said proximal end of said electrode lines including respective elements which are capable of being electrically and mechanically connected; and

a component consisting of shape-memory metal disposed between said elements of said connector and said proximal end, said component consisting of shape-memory metal assuming an annular shape at a first temperature to loosely connect said elements and assuming an oval shape at a second temperature to rigidly connect said elements.

12. A heart pacemaker system comprising:

an electrode line having a proximal end and a distal end;

a pacemaker having a connector means for attaching said proximal end of said electrode line to said pacemaker, said connector means and said proximal end of said electrode lines including respective elements which are capable of being electrically and mechanically connected; and

a component consisting of shape-memory metal disposed between said elements of said connector and said proximal end, said component consisting of shape-memory metal assuming an annular shape at a first temperature to loosely connect said elements and assuming an angular shape at a second temperature to rigidly connect said elements.

13. A heart pacemaker system comprising:

an electrode line having a proximal end and a distal end;

a pacemaker having a connector means for attaching said proximal end of said electrode line to said pacemaker, said connector means and said proximal end of said electrode line including respective elements which are capable of being electrically and mechanically connected; and

a spring consisting of shape-memory metal disposed between said elements of said connector and said proximal end, said spring assuming a first diameter at a first temperature to loosely connect said elements and assuming a second diameter, larger than said first diameter, at a second temperature to rigidly connect said elements.