Pacing lead with improved anchor mechanism
First Claim
1. A lead for transmitting electrical signals between a first proximal end and a second distal end adapted to be positioned within a patient'"'"'s body, said lead having at least one electrode positioned at about a distal tip thereof and having at least one conductor for transmitting electrical signals between said proximal and distal ends, said at least one conductor being connected to said electrode, said lead having at least a section at its distal end which is stretchable,said lead having a flexible casing running most of the length thereof substantially concentric to the longitudinal axis of said lead,a 2-state flexible anchor member positioned near said distal end, having at least one tine portion characterized by a first normal state wherein it comprises a tine, said tine portion being transformable to a second state wherein it is extended longitudinally so as to be close to said longitudinal axis,a first outer tubing element having proximal and distal ends, the first tubing element proximal end being connected to said casing and said first tubing element distal end being connected to said anchor member,a second inner tubing element having proximal and distal ends, said second tubing element distal end being connected to said tip or said anchor member at about the distal end of said lead and being slidable relative to said first tubing element, andsealing means positioned between said first and second tubing elements for preventing the passage of fluid between said two elements.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pacing lead is disclosed having folded tine elements in a first normal state, the tine elements being adapted to be unfolded by insertion of a stylet. In the second unfolded state, the tine elements are stretched to conform closely to the outer diameter of the lead casing, providing a reduced cross-section that facilitates introduction of the lead, and repositioning of the lead tip. A telescoping arrangement of inner and outer tubing elements is used to enable the stretching of the tine elements.
67 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A lead for transmitting electrical signals between a first proximal end and a second distal end adapted to be positioned within a patient'"'"'s body, said lead having at least one electrode positioned at about a distal tip thereof and having at least one conductor for transmitting electrical signals between said proximal and distal ends, said at least one conductor being connected to said electrode, said lead having at least a section at its distal end which is stretchable,
said lead having a flexible casing running most of the length thereof substantially concentric to the longitudinal axis of said lead, a 2-state flexible anchor member positioned near said distal end, having at least one tine portion characterized by a first normal state wherein it comprises a tine, said tine portion being transformable to a second state wherein it is extended longitudinally so as to be close to said longitudinal axis, a first outer tubing element having proximal and distal ends, the first tubing element proximal end being connected to said casing and said first tubing element distal end being connected to said anchor member, a second inner tubing element having proximal and distal ends, said second tubing element distal end being connected to said tip or said anchor member at about the distal end of said lead and being slidable relative to said first tubing element, and sealing means positioned between said first and second tubing elements for preventing the passage of fluid between said two elements.
- 13. A pacing lead having a distal tip, an annular fixation member at about said distal tip, said fixation member being made of a flexible material, said fixation member having a plurality of normally folded tine portions which present laterally extending tines when in a first normal state, and extending means for permitting the extension of one end of said fixation member longitudinally relative to its other end causing said tine portion to assume a second state wherein said tine portions are unfolded and lie substantially parallel to the lead longitudinal axis, and wherein said extending means comprises first and second concentric tubing members, said second tubing member being positioned within said first tubing member and being telescopically movable relative thereto.
- 16. A catheter adapted for being inserted into a patient, said catheter having a distal end, a flexible cylindrical casing running substantially the length thereof and defining a longitudinal axis, a first outer tubing element having proximal and distal ends, said first tubing element proximal end being connected to said casing, a second inner tubing element positioned within and unattached to said first element, said second inner tubing element presenting an interior wall substantially the same diameter as said tube casing and extending to about the distal end of said catheter, a stretchable element fixed to said outer tubing element and to the distal end of said inner tubing element, and a tip element positioned at said distal end of said catheter and attached to said stretchable element and said inner tubing element, whereby said tip element can be extended distally relative to said tube casing.
-
18. A lead for transmitting electrical signals between a first proximal end and a second distal end of said lead and adapted to be positioned within a patient'"'"'s body, said lead having at least one electrode positioned at about said distal end and having at least one conductor for transmitting electrical signals between said proximal and distal ends, said at least one conductor being connected to a tip of said distal end and having at least a section at its distal end which is stretchable,
said lead having a flexible casing running most of the length thereof substantially concentric to the longitudinal axis of said lead, said casing having a distal end, a 2-state flexible anchor member positioned near said distal tip, having at least one tine portion characterized by a first normal state wherein it comprises a tine, said tine portion being transformable to a second state wherein it is extended longitudinally so as to be close to said longitudinal axis, a first outer tubing element having proximal and distal ends, the first tubing element proximal end being connected to said casing and said first tubing element distal end being connected to said anchor member, a second inner tubing element having proximal and distal ends, said second tubing element proximal end being sealingly attached to said outer tubing element near said distal end of said casing, and said second tubing element distal end being connected to said tip or said anchor member at about the distal end of said lead and being slidable relative to said first tubing element, whereby movement of said distal tip relative to said casing causes transformation of said anchor member from said first normal state to said second state.
Specification