Implantable myocardial stimulation lead with sensors thereon

• US 5,423,883 A
• Filed: 07/14/1993
• Issued: 06/13/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Helland, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US08/091,851
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 607/126, 607/127, 607/129, 607/130, 607/131, 607/132, 607/18, 128/642
• US Class Current: 607/127
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0587 Epicardial electrode systems; Endocardial electrodes piercing the pericardium

Abstract

A myocardial lead is provided with at least one sensor for sensing at least one of heart rate, physiological demand, or arrhythmia. Preferably, the sensor is a piezoelectric crystal, and is designed to flex with the beating of the human heart. Other suitable sensors include accelerometers, hemo-reflectance sensors, and strain gauge sensors. Each sensor is provided on a separate conductive segment of the electrode assembly. The signals can be monitored by appropriate electronics to detect changes in heart rate or arrhythmias of the heart.

Claims

1. A myocardial lead for use with an implantable stimulation device comprising:

a positive fixation electrode having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the positive fixation electrode being adapted for connecting to heart tissue;

electrogram sensing means, coupled to the positive fixation electrode, for sensing cardiac signals;

a nonconductive hub member, the proximal end of the positive fixation electrode being received in the hub member;

an appendage connected to and extending radially outward from the hub member, the appendage having a segment of conductive material electrically insulated from the positive fixation electrode, each segment of conductive material having a first surface adapted for contacting heart tissue and a second surface having insulating means thereon, the insulating means being connected to the hub member;

physiological sensing means, secured to the appendage, for sensing a physiological parameter of the body corresponding to at least one of arrhythmias, physiological demand or heart rate of a human heart; and

conductive means for electrically connecting the positive fixation electrode and the physiological sensing means to the implantable stimulation device.

2. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the physiological sensing means comprises a plurality of physiological sensors.

3. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the appendage comprises a plurality of leaflets, each leaflet having one of the plurality of physiological sensors mounted thereon.

4. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the physiological sensing means is molded in the insulating means of the appendage.

5. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the physiological sensing means is secured to the first surface adapted for contacting heart tissue.

6. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the physiological sensing means is disposed between the insulating means and the second surface of the conductive material.

7. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the physiological sensing means is a mechanical cardiac activity sensor.

8. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the physiological sensing means is a piezoelectric sensor.

9. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the physiological sensing means is an accelerometer.

10. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the physiological sensing means is a hemo-reflectance sensor which measures a desired characteristic of the heart tissue.

11. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the desired characteristic of the heart tissue is blood pressure.

12. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the desired characteristic of the heart tissue is heart rate.

13. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the physiological sensing means is a strain gage sensor which measures a desired characteristic of the heart tissue.

14. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 13, wherein the desired characteristic of the heart tissue is contractility.

15. A myocardial lead as claimed in claim 13, wherein the desired characteristic of the heart tissue is blood pressure.

16. A myocardial lead for use with an implantable stimulation device comprising:

a positive fixation electrode having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the positive fixation electrode being adapted for connecting to heart tissue;

electrogram sensing means, coupled to the positive fixation electrode, for sensing cardiac signals;

a nonconductive electrode body, the proximal end of the positive fixation electrode being received in the electrode body;

a skirt electrode connected to and extending radially outward from the electrode body, the skirt electrode having a segment of conductive material electrically insulated from the positive fixation electrode, each segment of conductive material having a first surface adapted for contacting heart tissue and a second surface having insulating means thereon, the insulating means being connected to the electrode body;

at least one physiological sensor secured to the skirt electrode for sensing at least one of arrhythmias, physiological demand or heart rate of a human heart; and

a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end and conductive means therebetween, the positive fixation electrode being electrically connected at the distal end of the lead body, and the proximal end having a connector for connecting the positive fixation electrode and the physiologic sensor to the implantable stimulation device.

17. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one physiologic sensor comprises a plurality of physiologic sensors.

18. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 17, wherein the skirt electrode comprises a plurality of leaflets, each leaflet having one of the plurality of physiologic sensors mounted thereon.

19. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one physiologic sensor is molded in the insulating means of the skirt electrode.

20. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one physiologic sensor is secured to the first surface adapted for contacting heart tissue.

21. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one physiologic sensor is disposed between the insulating means and the second surface of the conductive material.

22. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one physiologic sensor is a mechanical cardiac activity sensor.

23. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one physiologic sensor is a piezoelectric sensor.

24. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one physiologic sensor is an accelerometer.

25. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one physiologic sensor is a hemo-reflectance sensor which measures a desired characteristic of the heart tissue.

26. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one physiological sensor is a strain gage sensor which measures a desired characteristic of the heart tissue.

27. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 25, wherein the desired characteristic of the heart tissue is either blood pressure or heart rate.

28. A myocardial lead, as claimed in claim 26, wherein the desired characteristic of the heart tissue is either contractility or blood pressure.