Medical electrical lead having coiled and stranded conductors

• US 6,018,683 A
• Filed: 04/30/1998
• Issued: 01/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Verness, David D., Huepenbecker, George M., Wahlstrom, Dale A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US09/070,171
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 607/116, 607/119, 607/122, 607/132
• US Class Current: 607/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0563 specially adapted for defibrillation or cardioversion
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0568 with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0573 chacterised by means penetrating the heart tissue, e.g. helix needle or hook
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/058 Fixing tools

Abstract

An implantable lead which has an increased resistance to fracture and has the capability of continued function after fracture of a conductor. The lead is provided with a coiled conductor which may be monofilar or multifilar and which extends along the length of the lead, running from an electrical connector at the proximal end of the lead to an electrode at or near the distal end of the lead. In addition, the lead is provided with a stranded conductor which is electrically coupled to the coiled conductor at point along the lead body located proximal to the point of expected breakage of the coiled conductor and at a point along the lead body located distal to the point of expected breakage. The proximal and distal ends of the stranded conductor in some embodiments are also mechanically coupled to the coiled conductor.

Claims

1. An implantable medical lead comprising an elongated lead body having an elongated lumen therein;

an elongated coiled conductor mounted within the lumen of the lead body;

a stranded conductor, extending along the length of the lead body and coupled electrically to the coiled conductor at a first location and a second location distal to and spaced from the first location;

wherein said coiled conductor is rotatably mounted in said lumen.

2. A lead according to claim 1 wherein said lead comprises means for coupling said stranded conductor to said coiled conductor while said coiled conductor rotates.

3. A lead according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said lead comprises a rotatably mounted electrical connector located on a proximal portion of said lead body and coupled to said coiled conductor.

4. A lead according to claim 3 wherein said lead comprises a rotatably mounted electrode means located on a distal portion of said electrode body and coupled to said coiled conductor.

5. A lead according to claim 1 wherein said stranded conductor comprises a seven stranded conductor.

6. A lead according to claim 5 wherein said stranded conductor is made of MP35N alloy.

7. A lead according to claim 5 wherein said stranded conductor has an outer diameter of about 0.003 inches.

8. A lead according to claim 1 wherein said stranded conductor is located outside said lumen of said lead body.

9. A lead according to claim 8 wherein said lead body is provided with an additional longitudinal lumen and wherein said stranded conductor is located within said additional lumen.