Endocardial defibrillation electrode system

• US 5,099,838 A
• Filed: 12/15/1988
• Issued: 03/31/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bardy, Gust H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Schaetzle, Kennedy J.
• Application Number:
  US07/284,955
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419 D, 128/421, 128/783, 128/784, 128/785, 128/786
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0563 specially adapted for defibrillation or cardioversion
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3918 characterised by shock pathway, e.g. by electrode configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0585 Coronary sinus electrodes

Abstract

An endocardial defibrillation electrode system as provided, including a coronary sinus lead, a ventricular lead, and a subcutaneous plate. The coronary sinus lead includes an elongated electrode adapted for location in the coronary sinus, extending into the great vein, and terminating in the vicinity of the left atrial appendage. The right ventricular electrode may be located either in the right ventricular apex, or may extend from the right ventricular apex to the vicinity of the tricuspid valve. This subcutaneous electrode preferably is a large surface electrode, adapted for implant in the vicinity of the heart. A variety of defibrillation pulse regimes are disclosed, optimized for use with the defibrillation electrode system, and with subgroupings of the disclosed electrodes.

Claims

1. A method of defibrillating a patient'"'"'s heart, comprising the steps of:

transvenously inserting an elongated first electrode into the right ventricle of said patient'"'"'s heart such that said first electrode extends from approximately the apex of the right ventricle to the tricuspid valve of said heart, said first electrode contained entirely within the right ventricle of said patient'"'"'s heart;

transvenously inserting a second electrode into the coronary sinus and great vein of said patient'"'"'s heart, said second electrode extending from a first point within the coronary sinus to a second point adjacent the left atrial appendage of said patient'"'"'s heart;

subcutaneously inserting a third electrode at the level of said patient'"'"'s heart; and

applying a defibrillation pulse between said second electrode and one of said first and third electrodes and subsequently applying a defibrillation pulse between said second electrode and the other of said first and third electrodes.

2. A method of defibrillating a patient'"'"'s heart, comprising the steps of:

transvenously inserting a first electrode into the right ventricle of said patient'"'"'s heart;

transvenously inserting a second electrode into the coronary sinus and great vein of said patient'"'"'s heart;

subcutaneously inserting a third electrode at the level of said patient'"'"'s heart; and

sequentially applying defibrillation pulses between said first and second electrodes and between said second and third electrodes.

3. A method of defibrillating a patient'"'"'s heart, comprising the steps of:

inserting a first elongated electrode into the coronary sinus and great vein of said patient'"'"'s heart;

subcutaneously inserting a second electrode at the level of said patient'"'"'s heart; and

applying a defibrillation pulse between said first and second electrodes.