Electrode deployment mechanism and method using artificial muscle
First Claim
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1. A deployment mechanism for an implantable deployable electrode, comprising:
- at least one artificial muscle element mechanically coupled to the deployable electrode; and
means for applying a voltage across said artificial muscle element causing said artificial muscle element to contract such that the deployable electrode is deployed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lead having a defibrillation electrode that is deployed for defibrillation using artificial muscle. In an undeployed position, the defibrillation electrode is small in diameter so as to be easily implanted pervenously and nonobstructive to cardiac contraction and blood flow. In a deployed position the defibrillation electrode is larger in diameter for defibrillation shock delivery. Thus, the electrode forces an increased amount of current to flow through the heart muscle during shock delivery to depolarize the majority of the cardiac tissue with a minimum of energy, while not obstructing blood flow at other times when not used for energy delivery.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A deployment mechanism for an implantable deployable electrode, comprising:
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at least one artificial muscle element mechanically coupled to the deployable electrode; and means for applying a voltage across said artificial muscle element causing said artificial muscle element to contract such that the deployable electrode is deployed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A lead for implantation in a patient comprising:
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a connector at a proximal end of said lead for connection to a pulse generator; a lead body having an insulated conductor electrically coupled to said connector; a deployable electrode electrically coupled to said conductor; an artificial muscle element mechanically coupled to said deployable electrode; and means for applying a voltage across said artificial muscle element causing said artificial muscle element to contract such that said deployable electrode is deployed. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A stimulation system, comprising:
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a pulse generator for generating electrical energy; a lead having a deployable electrode electrically connected to said pulse generator and at least one artificial muscle element for expanding said deployable electrode from a nondeployed state to a deployed state; and control means for sensing an episode requiring therapeutic electrical pulses and for supplying a voltage across said artificial muscle element to deploy said deployable electrode during said episode and for causing said pulse generator to generate said therapeutic electrical pulses through said deployable electrode. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for deploying an electrode in a patient comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing at least one artificial muscle element mechanically attached to the electrode; and (b) applying a voltage across said artificial muscle element to cause said artificial muscle element to contract and deploy the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method for defibrillating a patient'"'"'s heart comprising the steps of:
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(a) applying a voltage across at least one artificial muscle element to deploy a defibrillation electrode; and (b) delivering a defibrillation pulse through the defibrillation electrode. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification