Integrated steroid eluting pacing tip electrode

• US 6,198,973 B1
• Filed: 05/26/1999
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Caffee, Lisa, Chitre, Yougandh, Doan, Phong
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US09/320,405
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 607/120, 607/122, 607/119, 607/121
• US Class Current: 607/120
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0568 with drug delivery

Abstract

An electrode assembly for a body implantable lead comprises a longitudinally extending dispenser housing having an internal cavity with opposed longitudinally extending openings for storing a drug to be dispensed. A tip electrode integral and axially aligned with the dispenser housing has a face adapted for positioning adjacent the desired body site, a transverse channel formed into and transversely across its face, and an orifice extending between the channel and the internal cavity for elution of the drug to the desired body site. A weld sleeve integral and axially aligned with the dispenser housing distant from the tip electrode has an outer peripheral surface for engageably receiving one end of an elongated electrical conductor, and a collar spaced from the dispenser housing. The electrical conductor is welded to the collar to obtain a welded connection for electrical continuity between the tip electrode and the electrical conductor. An insulative sheath of resilient material is fittingly received on the outer peripheral surface of the dispenser housing overlying the longitudinally extending openings and the welded connection between the electrical conductor and the weld sleeve. Insulative tubing is received on the coiled conductor includes a skirt member distant from the tip electrode and coaxial with the insulative tubing and biased radially into engagement with the outer peripheral surface of the insulative tubing. A plurality of fixation tines are integral with, and extend radially outwardly from, the insulative sheath at a plurality of circumferentially spaced locations.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly for a body implantable lead for the delivery of stimulation energy to a desired body site comprising:

a longitudinally extending dispenser housing having an outer peripheral surface and an internal cavity for storing a drug to be dispensed, the internal cavity having at least one longitudinally extending opening through the peripheral surface suitable for receiving an elongated plug containing the drug to be dispensed;

tip electrode integral and axially aligned with the dispenser housing and having a face adapted for positioning at least adjacent the desired body site; and

a weld sleeve integral and axially aligned with the dispenser housing distant from the tip electrode and having an outer peripheral surface for engageably receiving one end of an elongated electrical conductor.

2. The electrode assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tip electrode has an orifice extending between the face thereof and the internal cavity of the longitudinally extending dispenser housing for elution of the drug to the desired body site.

3. The electrode assembly, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the tip electrode has a transverse channel formed into, and extending transversely across the face of the tip electrode, the orifice enabling communication between the internal cavity and the transverse channel for elution of the drug to the desired body site.

4. The electrode assembly, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the tip electrode has a circular outer peripheral surface and a diametrically extending channel formed into and across the face thereof, the orifice enabling communication between the internal cavity and the transverse channel for elution of the drug to the desired body site.

5. The electrode assembly, as set forth in claim 1, including:

an elongated coiled electrical conductor coaxially received on the weld sleeve and welded thereto to obtain a welded connection for electrical continuity between the tip electrode and the electrical conductor; and

insulative sheath fittingly received on the outer peripheral surface of the dispenser housing overlying the longitudinally extending openings and the welded connection between the electrical conductor and the weld sleeve.

6. The electrode assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the weld sleeve includes a collar spaced from the dispenser housing;

and including;

an elongated coiled electrical conductor coaxially received on the weld sleeve and welded to the sleeve to obtain a welded connection for electrical continuity between the tip electrode and the electrical conductor; and

an insulative sheath fittingly received on the outer peripheral surface of the dispenser housing overlying the longitudinally extending openings and the welded connection between the electrical conductor and the weld sleeve.

7. The electrode assembly, as set forth in claim 5, including:

a plurality of tines integral with the insulative sheath and projecting radially outwardly therefrom, respectively, at a plurality of circumferentially spaced locations.

8. The electrode assembly, as set forth in claim 6, including:

a plurality of tines integral with the insulative sheath and projecting radially outwardly therefrom, respectively, at a plurality of circumferentially spaced locations.

9. The electrode assembly, as set forth in claim 6, including:

insulative tubing received on the coiled conductor extending from a first end adjacent the dispenser housing to a second end distant therefrom and having an outer peripheral surface; and

wherein the insulative sheath is of resilient material and includes a skirt member distant from the tip electrode and coaxial with the insulative tubing and biased radially into engagement with the outer peripheral surface of the insulative tubing.

10. The electrode assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one longitudinally extending opening is comprised of opposed longitudinally extending openings.

11. The electrode assembly, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the elongate plug is cylindrically shaped.

12. The electrode assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongate plug is cylindrically shaped.