Extensible passive fixation mechanism for lead assembly of an implantable cardiac stimulator
First Claim
1. A passive fixation mechanism for an endocardial lead with a distal and a proximal end and a stimulating electrode on said distal end comprising:
- a plurality of flexible tine means each adapted to be fastened at one end to the distal end of the lead in the vicinity of the electrode for engaging tissue without penetration thereof, each of said tine means resiliently biased to lie in a position parallel to a distal surface of said lead with a respective free end thereof pointing away from the electrode but being sufficiently flexible to be moved outwardly to a position at an angle to and projecting from the distal surface of said lead from the respective fastened end thereof, anddeploying means for selectively forcing each of the tine means outwardly to said angled position for engaging tissue at the respective free end thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable lead for a cardiac stimulator has an electrode at its distal end, and resilient, non-penetrating, tissue-contacting elements integral with the lead in the vicinity of the electrode. The resilient elements are movable from a first unextended position for ease of insertion or withdrawal of the lead through the vein of a patient to a second extended position for contacting tissue to retain the electrode in a selected location in the heart of the patient. A device operable along the lead serves to selectively move the resilient elements from the unextended to the extended position or vice versa.
186 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A passive fixation mechanism for an endocardial lead with a distal and a proximal end and a stimulating electrode on said distal end comprising:
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a plurality of flexible tine means each adapted to be fastened at one end to the distal end of the lead in the vicinity of the electrode for engaging tissue without penetration thereof, each of said tine means resiliently biased to lie in a position parallel to a distal surface of said lead with a respective free end thereof pointing away from the electrode but being sufficiently flexible to be moved outwardly to a position at an angle to and projecting from the distal surface of said lead from the respective fastened end thereof, and deploying means for selectively forcing each of the tine means outwardly to said angled position for engaging tissue at the respective free end thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for use with a pacemaker, comprising:
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a lead having a proximal and distal end; an electrode carried on the distal end of said lead; spaced, pliant, non-penetrating, tissue-engaging fingers fastened at one end to said lead in the vicinity of said electrode, said fingers being resiliently biased in a retracted position against the lead and movable from said retracted position to an extended position at an angle to the lead for engagement of tissue, and means coupled to said lead for selectively moving said fingers from said retracted position to said extended position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for use with cardiac stimulators, comprising an implantable lead having a distal and a proximal end;
- an electrode at a distal end of said lead;
means for electrically connecting said electrode to a proximal end of said lead;
resilient, non-penetrating, tissue-contacting means integral with said lead in the vicinity of said electrode and movable from a first unextended position for ease of insertion of the lead through the vein of a patient to a second extended position for contacting tissue to retain the electrode in a selected location in the heart of the patient, and vice versa, said tissue-contacting means being resiliently biased to lie in said first unextended position when unrestrained other than as being an integral part of the lead; and
means operable along the lead for selectively moving said tissue-contacting means from one of said first and second position to the other. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
- an electrode at a distal end of said lead;
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19. An electrical lead with a passive fixation mechanism, the lead having an electrode at a distal end thereof for stimulating tissue of the body after implantation of the lead via the vascular system, said passive fixation mechanism further comprising
spaced, pliant, non-penetrating, tissue-engaging tine means projecting from said lead in the vicinity of and in a direction away from said electrode, resiliently biased to a substantially flattened position against the lead and movable from said substantially flattened position against the lead to a deployed position at an acute angle to the lead, for selective engagement of tissue, and means adapted to be coupled to said lead for selectively moving said tine means from the substantially flattened position to the deployed position.
Specification