Implantable intravenous cardiac stimulation system with pulse generator housing serving as optional additional electrode

• US 5,916,238 A
• Filed: 11/04/1997
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: KenKnight, Bruce H., Dahl, Roger W., Hauser, Robert G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US08/964,120
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 607/4, 607/5, 607/6
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/368 comprising more than one electrode co-operating with different heart regions A61N1/3622, A61N1/3627 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 Pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

A pulse generator housing for enclosing and containing pulse generator defibrillation circuitry. The housing is formed entirely of electrically conductive metal defining an electrically conductive outer surface which is connected to the pulse generator circuitry for delivering defibrillating energy to the heart. The pulse generator housing is implanted in the pectoral region proximate the heart with the conductive surface facing the heart. Regions of the conductive outer surface may be electrically isolated and dedicated for separately sensing and shocking. The outer surface may be coated with platinum. Additional coiled segment electrodes may extend from the housing and be electrically connected to the conductive outer surface so as to increase the effective conductive surface area. A sensor is provided to determine whether the housing is inside or outside a body of a patient to disconnect the pulse generator housing conductive surface from the pulse generator circuitry when the unit is outside the body of a patient.

Claims

1. An implantable heart treatment system having anti-arrhythmia pacemaking, cardioversion, and defibrillation capabilities for maintaining proper function of the heart, said system comprising:

an implantable pulse generator means for producing an anti-arrhythmia waveform;

a pulse generator housing enclosing and containing said pulse generator means, said pulse generator housing comprising an electrically conductive electrode removably attached to the housing and capable of electrical connection to said pulse generator;

an electrode for implantation in or about the heart and being electrically connected to said pulse generator for delivering electrical energy to the heart against said conductive surface of said pulse generator housing.

2. The implantable heart treatment system of claim 1, and further comprising sensor means for determining whether the pulse generator housing is inside a body of a patient or outside the body of a patient, said sensor means for disconnecting the conductive electrode of the pulse generator housing from the pulse generator means when the housing is outside the body of a patient.

3. An implantable heart treatment system having anti-arrhythmia pacemaking, cardioversion, and defibrillation capabilities for maintaining proper function of the heart, said system comprising:

an implantable pulse generator means for producing an anti-arrhythmia waveform;

a pulse generator housing enclosing and containing said pulse generator means, an electrically conductive electrode removably attached to said pulse generator housing and electrically connected to said pulse generator means;

a first electrode implanted in or about the heart and being electrically connected to said pulse generator;

a second electrode implanted in or about the heart and being electrically connected to said pulse generator;

switching means for directing said anti-arrhythmia waveform on the one hand, between at least one of said first and second electrodes and said conductive surface of said pulse generator housing upon a first condition of said heart, and on the other hand directing said anti-arrhythmia waveform to said first and second electrodes electrically connected in common against said conductive surface of said pulse generator housing upon a second condition of the heart.

4. An implantable heart treatment system for maintaining proper function of the heart, said system comprising:

an implantable pulse generator means for producing an anti-arrhythmia waveform;

a pulse generator housing enclosing and containing said pulse generator means and having a conductive portion, said conductive portion comprising an electrically conductive outer surface which is electrically connected to said pulse generator means and an electrically conductive electrode removably attached to said pulse generator housing and electrically connected to said pulse generator means;

a first heart electrode implanted in contact with the heart and being electrically connected to said pulse generator;

a second heart electrode implanted in contact with the heart and being electrically connected to said pulse generator;

switching means for directing said anti-arrhythmia waveform on the one hand, between at least one of said first and second heart electrodes and said conductive portion of said pulse generator housing upon a first condition of said heart, and on the other hand directing said anti-arrhythmia waveform to said first and second heart electrodes electrically connected in common against said conductive portion of said pulse generator housing upon a second condition of the heart.