Apparatus for removing an elongated structure implanted in biological tissue

• US 5,011,482 A
• Filed: 05/03/1989
• Issued: 04/30/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cook Pacemaker Corporation (Cook Group Incorporated), Medical Engineering And Development Institute Inc (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cook Pacemaker Corporation (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fearnot, Neal E., Goode, Louis, Shipko, Frederick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHAETZLE, KENNEDY
• Application Number:
  US07/347,217
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 128/783, 128/784, 128/785, 128/786, 128/419 P, 128/642, 128/328 V, 606/99, 606/1, 604/96
• US Class Current: 606/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0578 having means for removal or extraction
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/058 Fixing tools

Abstract

Heart lead removal apparatus and method are disclosed for removing a heart lead from the wall of a heart through a blood vessel leading to the heart. The apparatus comprises a flexible stylet wire with an expandable wire coil attached to the distal end for engaging the coiled structure of the heart lead. A lockable mechanism grasps the proximal end of the lead, and a wire guide is inserted in the passageway of the lead to determine its size and any blockage therein. The stylet wire is inserted in the longitudinal passageway of the coiled structure to the distal end of the heart lead where the tip is typically secured to the heart wall with a number of tines formed from the insulating material surrounding the coiled structure. A tie secures the insulating material to the coiled structure of the lead at the proximal end thereof to limit motion and apply uniform extraction force to the entire lead. When inserted, the stylet wire is rotated in a direction to unwind and expand the wire coil and engage the heart lead coiled structure, thereby securing the stylet wire to the heart lead. A separator tube is inserted over the proximal end of the stylet wire and the heart lead and moved along the entire length of the heart lead to separate the restricted heart lead from the blood vessel and the heart cavity wall. A number of alternative embodiments of the removal and separator apparatus are disclosed.

Claims

1. Lead removal apparatus for removing an implanted, cardiac pacemaker lead having a first longitudinal passageway therein, comprising:

control means having a distal end and a recess positioned about said distal end for inserting in said first longitudinal passageway of said implanted lead, said control means also including longitudinal passageway means for passing guide means therethrough;

expandable means positioned about said distal end and in said recess, sized for insertion in said first longitudinal passageway, and having a first position for securing said control means to said implanted lead to create a frictional engagement of the expandable means with said lead; and

said control means including a single longitudinal passageway for operating said expandable means to said first position.

2. The lead removal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said expandable means includes a balloon attached to said distal end and communicating with said single passageway for inflation to said first position.

3. The lead removal apparatus of claim 1 further comprising guide means in said first passageway of said implanted lead and through said passageway means of said control means for guiding said control means in said first longitudinal passageway of said implanted lead.

4. Lead removal apparatus for removing an implanted, cardiac pacemaker lead having a first longitudinal passageway therein, comprising:

guide means for inserting in said first longitudinal passageway of said implanted lead;

control means having a distal end and a recess about said distal end for inserting in said first passageway and having longitudinal passageway means for inserting said guide means therein and a second longitudinal passageway; and

expandable means positioned about said distal end and in said recess of said control means and in communication with said second longitudinal passageway for securing said control means to said implanted lead.

5. The lead removal apparatus of claim 4 wherein said expandable means includes balloon means attached about said distal end of said control means for inflating to a first position and wherein said second longitudinal passageway is for inflating said balloon means to said first position.