Implantable electrode pouch
First Claim
1. In an automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (AICD) system for delivering electrical shocks to the heart of a patient to restore normal cardiac rhythm, the system including an electrical input pulse generating means for generating an electrical pulse in cooperation with at least two implantable electrodes including an endocardial electrode electrically connected to said pulse generating means adapted to be positioned in the right ventricle of the heart of the patient, and a patch electrode electrically connected to said pulse generating means, said patch electrode being adapted to be positioned juxtaposed to the outside of the left ventricle of the heart, the improvement comprising:
- porous bio-compatible enclosure means for isolating said patch electrode in a manner which allows electrical conduction but spaces the patch electrode from the heart tissue so as to achieve a dissection plane, said enclosure means having a thickness which defines a tissue-electrode spacing that reduces proximate tissue damage from high localized current densities, said closure means being further adapted to be fixed in position relative to proximate tissue to thereby positively position said patch electrode in the desired position with respect to the heart; and
fixation means for attaching said enclosure means proximate to the heart.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A novel method and apparatus for isolating and anchoring an implantable electrically stimulating probe such as a defibrillator patch electrode for use with an automatic cardioverter/defibrillator is disclosed in which a porous bio-compatible coating or enclosure covers and isolates the electrode in a way which allows electrical conductivity via bodily fluid which passes through but separates the electrode from the adjacent tissue in the manner of dissection plane which substantially prevents tissue ingrowth. The coating or enclosure controls the minimum separation distance from the closest tissue and which reduces the local current density applied to adjacent tissue when the electrode is pulsed. The system includes a provision for attaching the enclosure means to internal bodily tissue.
195 Citations
34 Claims
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1. In an automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (AICD) system for delivering electrical shocks to the heart of a patient to restore normal cardiac rhythm, the system including an electrical input pulse generating means for generating an electrical pulse in cooperation with at least two implantable electrodes including an endocardial electrode electrically connected to said pulse generating means adapted to be positioned in the right ventricle of the heart of the patient, and a patch electrode electrically connected to said pulse generating means, said patch electrode being adapted to be positioned juxtaposed to the outside of the left ventricle of the heart, the improvement comprising:
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porous bio-compatible enclosure means for isolating said patch electrode in a manner which allows electrical conduction but spaces the patch electrode from the heart tissue so as to achieve a dissection plane, said enclosure means having a thickness which defines a tissue-electrode spacing that reduces proximate tissue damage from high localized current densities, said closure means being further adapted to be fixed in position relative to proximate tissue to thereby positively position said patch electrode in the desired position with respect to the heart; and fixation means for attaching said enclosure means proximate to the heart. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A means for isolating an implantable electrically active probe including an electrode means of desired configuration and an insulated conductor attached to said electrode means for chronic tissue contact comprising:
covering means for isolating said probe in a manner which substantially covers the probe except for said conductor, said covering means substantially consisting of a porous, bio-compatible material which allows infiltration of bodily fluids to provide a conductive path from said electrode member to the adjacent tissue yet has a thickness that determines the minimum spacing of said probe from direct contact with adjacent tissue and substantially isolates said electrode member from ingrowth of tissue in the manner of a dissection plane. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A means for isolating implantable devices of desired configuration associated with an electrically active probe including insulating conductor lead devices attached to an electrode member for chronic tissue contact comprising:
covering means for isolating the device in a manner which substantially covers the desired parts of a device, said covering means substantially consisting of a porous, biocompatible material which allows a degree of infiltration of bodily fluids to provide a conductive path including the electrode member which substantially isolates the covered part of the device from ingrowth of tissue in the manner of a dissection plane. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of isolating an implantable electrically conductive device in juxtaposed relation to internal tissue of a patient comprising the steps of:
isolating the device by enveloping it in a flexible porous membrane said membrane being characterized by pores which are sufficiently permeable to body fluids at the site of installation such that the desired electrical conduction is established across said porous membrane via said bodily fluids but which pores are small enough to achieve a dissection plane. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. A method of installing an implantable electrically active probe in juxtaposed relation to internal tissue of a patient comprising the steps of:
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providing a flexible porous membrane pouch for isolating the electrically active portion of the probe, said pouch being characterized by pores which are sufficiently permeable to body fluids such that the desired electrical conduction is established across said porous membrane via said bodily fluids but which pores are small enough to form a dissection plane to substantially prevent tissue ingrowth; installing said pouch in place by fixing said pouch to tissue juxtaposed the desired probe location; and installing the electrically active probe by insertion into said pouch. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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Specification