Cardiac defibrillator having selectable polarity case

• US 5,662,692 A
• Filed: 06/05/1995
• Issued: 09/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Paspa, Paul M., Bush, M. Elizabeth
• Primary Examiner(s): Jastrzab, Jeffrey R.
• Application Number:
  US08/463,527
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/4, 607/5, 607/9, 607/36-38, 607/119, 607/148
• US Class Current: 607/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3956 Implantable devices for applying electric shocks to the heart, e.g. for cardioversion

Abstract

A defibrillator having a housing for enclosing and containing defibrillation pulse generator circuitry, particularly adapted to allow for ease of manufacture and use. At least one surface of the housing is electrically conductive and may be connected to the defibrillation pulse generator circuitry for delivering defibrillating energy to the heart. The defibrillator is provided with two case-activating setscrew blocks isolated from two contacts. By tightening the first setscrew onto its contact, the can is activated and is positive for defibrillation. By tightening the second setscrew instead, the can is activated and is negative for defibrillation. Tightening neither setscrew maintains the inactive status of the can. By using this system, various electrode configurations can be used as required to provide the optimum system for a given patient. The defibrillator generator housing is preferably implanted in the left pectoral region proximate the heart with the conductive surface facing the heart. Other implantable electrodes are discharged against the defibrillator generator housing electrode.

Claims

1. An implantable cardiac defibrillator kit comprising:

a pulse generator case having an electrically conductive portion;

defibrillation pulse generator circuitry housed in said case, said pulse generator circuitry having first and second high voltage terminals of first and second polarity;

a header attached to said case, said header including first and second cavities, a conductive block electrically coupled to at least a portion of said pulse generator case, a first garter spring located in said first cavity at a first distance from said conductive block and electrically coupled to said first high voltage terminal, a second garter spring located in said first cavity at a second distance from said conductive block and electrically coupled to said second high voltage terminal and a conductive block located in said second cavity in electrical communication with said pulse generator circuitry;

a defibrillation lead having a de fibrillation lead connector pin for insertion in said second cavity;

a first device for insertion into said first cavity, said device including a pin electrically coupled to a conductive ring, said ring located approximately said first distance from said first device pin; and

a second device for insertion into said first cavity, said device including a pin electrically coupled to a conductive ring, said ring located approximately said second distance from said second device pin, whereby insertion of said first device into said first cavity makes said pulse generator case conductive portion said first polarity for defibrillation and insertion of said second device into said first cavity makes said pulse generator case conductive portion said second polarity for defibrillation.

2. The implantable cardiac defibrillator kit of claim 1, wherein said conductive block includes a setscrew for contacting said pin of either said first device or said second device when inserted into said first cavity.

3. The implantable cardiac defibrillator kit of claim 1, wherein said conductive block includes a garter spring for contacting said pin of either said first device or said second device when inserted into said first cavity.

4. The implantable cardiac defibrillator kit of claim 1 and further including sealing rings located in said first cavity between said first and second garter springs and between said garter springs and said conductive block.

5. The implantable cardiac defibrillator kit of claim 1 and further including at least one sealing ring located on each of said first and said second device.

6. The implantable cardiac defibrillator kit of claim 1 wherein said pulse generator case is partially encapsulated by a polymeric insulating coating.