Endocardiac lead having an active fastening means
First Claim
1. An endocardiac lead of the type comprising a sheath (1), an electrode (3), a helix (6), a conductive spiral winding (2) placed inside the sheath (1) made of a flexible insulating material which is insensitive to body fluids, the spiral winding (2) being electrically connected to the electrode (3) intended for being brought into contact with the inner wall of the heart, said electrode (3) being hollow and receiving along its centerline the helix (6) for fastening the lead into the heart muscle, characterized in that the internal diameter of the electrode (3) is smaller than the external diameter of the helix (6), and in that the helix (6) presents a sufficient modulus of longitudinal elasticity for being retractable within the electrode (3) with a mechanical deformation, and in that the helix (6) will substantially recover its initial shape when being extracted out of the electrode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An endocardiac lead of the type including a conductive spiral winding 2 placed inside a sheath 1 made of a flexible material being insensitive to body fluids. This spiral winding 2 is electrically connected to an electrode 3 intended for being brought into contact with the inner wall of the heart. The electrode 3 is hollow and accommodates along its centerline a deformable helix 6 intended for fastening the lead into the heart muscle. The inner diameter of the electrode 3 is smaller than the outer diameter of the undeformed helix 6. The helix 6 presents a sufficient longitudinal elasticity modulus for being retractable inside the electrode 3 with a mechanical deformation, while the helix will substantially recover its initial shape during its extraction out of the electrode and secure the electrode to the tissue. The helix 6 may be made of a nickel-titanium based alloy. The inner wall of the electrode 3 presents a deformation having the shape of a notch 13 against which the helix 6 will abut during its extraction.
-
Citations
35 Claims
- 1. An endocardiac lead of the type comprising a sheath (1), an electrode (3), a helix (6), a conductive spiral winding (2) placed inside the sheath (1) made of a flexible insulating material which is insensitive to body fluids, the spiral winding (2) being electrically connected to the electrode (3) intended for being brought into contact with the inner wall of the heart, said electrode (3) being hollow and receiving along its centerline the helix (6) for fastening the lead into the heart muscle, characterized in that the internal diameter of the electrode (3) is smaller than the external diameter of the helix (6), and in that the helix (6) presents a sufficient modulus of longitudinal elasticity for being retractable within the electrode (3) with a mechanical deformation, and in that the helix (6) will substantially recover its initial shape when being extracted out of the electrode.
-
10. Apparatus for securing a body to tissue comprising:
-
a first body having a distal end for contacting tissue and an elongated passageway having an inner dimension; a deformable fastener means for penetrating tissue and securing the first body to the tissue comprising a second body having a distal tip, a proximal driving end, and an undeformed configuration including an outer dimension larger than the passageway inner dimension; and a mount means for securing the second body in a deformed condition inside the elongated passageway for rotational movement therealong so that the second body can be rotated and advanced and recover its undeformed shape as it is advanced out of the passageway. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. An endocardiac lead comprising:
-
a sheath having a distal end; a member secured to the distal end of and interior to the sheath including a distal face for contacting tissue and an axial passageway having an inner diameter; a deformable helix having an undeformed shape including an outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the member passageway, an axis of rotation, a distal tip for penetrating tissue, and a proximal end for rotating the helix; a mount means secured inside the sheath for receiving the deformable helix inside the member; and a driving end piece connected to the helix proximal end for rotating the helix relative to the member so that the helix can be deformed as it is retracted in the member and restored to its natural shape as it is extended out the member. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A method for securing a body having a tissue contacting surface to tissue comprising:
-
providing the body with an interior passageway having an inner dimension; providing a deformable fastener having a tip for penetrating tissue and an undeformed shape including an outer dimension that is greater than the passageway inner dimension; inserting the deformable fastener into the passageway so that it is deformed; placing the tissue contacting surface of the body proximate to the tissue to which the body is to be secured; and rotating the fastener relative to the body so that it extends out the passageway and penetrates into the tissue and as it extends out it recovers its undeformed shape. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
-
Specification