Bipolar myocardial electrode assembly
First Claim
1. A multipolar electrode assembly for attachment to myocardial heart tissue of a living animal, said multipolar electrode assembly comprising:
- a conductive, helically-shaped electrode member having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end of said helically-shaped electrode member being adapted for connecting to heart tissue;
a hub member made of nonelectrically conductive material, said proximal end of said helically-shaped electrode member being received in said hub member; and
a plurality of appendages fixedly mechanically connected to and extending radially outwardly from said hub member, each of said appendages comprising;
a segment of electrically conductive material which is not electrically connected to said helically-shaped electrode member, said segment of electrically conductive material having a surface adapted for contacting heart tissue; and
means for electrically insulating a side of said segment of conductive material opposite said surface adapted for contacting heart tissue, said insulating means being connected to said hub member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bipolar electrode assembly for attachment to heart tissue for use with a pacemaker. The assembly has a hub member with a helical screw-in coil that acts as a first electrode and is used to attach the assembly to the heart tissue. The assembly further comprises a plurality of appendages that extend from the hub member and each have an electrode segment of electrically conductive material. The electrode segment of the appendages can act together as a single second electrode, or alternatively as a separate, independent electrodes, which may selectively be used for pacing or sensing. The electrode segments not only act as electrodes, but also allows heart tissue to grow directly into the conductive material to help secure the assembly to the heart. The assembly also has apertures and grooves for suture connection of the assembly to the heart. Methods of manufacturing the assembly and connecting the assembly to a heart are also described.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A multipolar electrode assembly for attachment to myocardial heart tissue of a living animal, said multipolar electrode assembly comprising:
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a conductive, helically-shaped electrode member having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end of said helically-shaped electrode member being adapted for connecting to heart tissue; a hub member made of nonelectrically conductive material, said proximal end of said helically-shaped electrode member being received in said hub member; and a plurality of appendages fixedly mechanically connected to and extending radially outwardly from said hub member, each of said appendages comprising; a segment of electrically conductive material which is not electrically connected to said helically-shaped electrode member, said segment of electrically conductive material having a surface adapted for contacting heart tissue; and means for electrically insulating a side of said segment of conductive material opposite said surface adapted for contacting heart tissue, said insulating means being connected to said hub member. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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2. A multipolar electrode assembly as defined in claim wherein said helically-shaped electrode member is relatively rigid and is adapted to be rotatably inserted into heart tissue.
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3. A multipolar electrode assembly as defined in claim wherein said helically-shaped electrode member is made of platinum-iridium.
- 9. A multipolar electrode assembly as defined in claim wherein there are between two and ten appendages connected to said hub member, said appendages being adjacent one another.
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31. A multipolar heart electrode assembly comprising:
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a first electrode having a distal end with a screw-in helix; a second electrode having a distal end with a plurality of appendages extending radially outwardly away from said screw-in helix in substantially perpendicular fashion; and means for housing and at least partially electrically insulating said first and second electrodes, said means for housing including means for connecting a suture to said means for housing to fixedly secure said means for housing directly to heart tissue. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A multipolar heart electrode assembly, comprising:
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a first electrode having a distal end with a screw-in helix; a second electrode having a distal end with at least one appendage extending radially outwardly away from said screw-in helix in substantially perpendicular fashion; and means for housing and at least partially electrically insulating said first and second electrodes.
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37. A multipolar electrode assembly for attachment to myocardial heart tissue of a living animal, said multipolar electrode assembly comprising:
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a conductive electrode member having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end of said electrode member comprising fixation means adapted for insertion into heart tissue; a hub member made of nonelectrically conductive material, said proximal end of said electrode member being received in said hub member; and a plurality of appendages fixedly mechanically connected to and extending radially outwardly from said hub member, each of said appendages comprising; a segment of electrically conductive material which is not electrically connected to said helically-shaped electrode member, said segment of electrically conductive material having a surface adapted for contacting heart tissue; and means for electrically insulating a side of said segment of conductive material opposite said surface adapted for contacting heart tissue, said insulating means being connected to said hub member. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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40. A method of making a multipolar electrode assembly for attachment to myocardial heart tissue of a living animal, said method comprising:
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adapting the distal end of a conductive, helically-shaped electrode member to be connected to heart tissue; receiving the proximal end of said helically-shaped electrode member in a hub member made of nonelectrically conductive material; and mechanically a plurality of appendages to said hub member in a manner whereby said plurality of appendages extend radially outwardly from said hub member, each of said appendages comprising; a segment of electrically conductive material which is not electrically connected to said helically-shaped electrode member, said segment of electrically conductive material having a surface adapted for contacting heart tissue; and means for electrically insulating a side of said segment of conductive material opposite said surface adapted for contacting heart tissue, said insulating means being connected to said hub member.
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41. A method of making a multipolar heart electrode, comprising:
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providing a first electrode having a screw-in helix at a distal end, and a second electrode having a plurality of electrically conductive segments each having a proximal side; mechanically mounting said second electrode in spaced arrangement with said first electrode, the two electrodes remaining electrically isolated but having a substantially fixed relative orientation with said second electrodes extending substantially radially outwardly from a proximal end of said first electrode; and providing an electrically insulating housing around the proximal end of said first electrode and the proximal sides of said second electrodes.
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Specification