Single pass lead system

• US 6,212,434 B1
• Filed: 07/22/1998
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Heitkamp, Douglas A., Goebel, Gary W., Lin, Yayun, Carlson, Gerrard M., Scheiner, Avram, Zhu, Qingsheng, Warren, Jay A., Heil, Ronald W. Jr., Kelley, Peter T., Cole, Mary Lee, Hsu, William, Flynn, David M., Bartig, Jeffrey T., Janke, Aaron W., Heil, John E., Werlein, Carol, Lindstrom, Curtis C., Peterfeso, Randall M., Booker, Robert S. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US09/120,824
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 607/122, 607/123, 607/127, 607/125
• US Class Current: 607/123
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0563 specially adapted for defibrillation or cardioversion
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0573 chacterised by means penetrating the heart tissue, e.g. helix needle or hook

Abstract

A single-pass endocardial lead electrode adapted for implantation in, on or about the heart and for connection to a system for monitoring or stimulating cardiac activity includes a lead body which is adapted for implantation within a single chamber of the heart, or multiple chambers of the heart. The lead includes a first distal end electrode which has a first electrical conducting surface. The lead body also has a second electrode which has a second electrical conducting surface. The first and second electrodes are either passively or actively attached to the wall of the heart. The lead body also includes a curved portion which facilitates the positioning of the second electrode. The main lead body alternatively includes a recess into which an atrial lead body and an active fixation element attached to one end can travel from a recessed position to a position for fixation to the wall of the heart. The active fixation element can also be moved by turning the terminal pin. The lead body can also include multiple legs, each leg carrying an electrode. The lead is attached to a pulse generator for producing pulses to the multiple sites within the heart. A movement assembly for advancing a helix is also included within the legs and comprises an externally threaded collar which engages with an internally threaded housing or housing insert. The lead further includes a helical tip which has high impedance. The electrode has at least one features of the group: the helix having a coating of an insulating material on its surface, the helix having its surface beyond the distal end of the electrode and the distal end of the electrode having a porous conductive surface at a base of the helix, a porous conductive element at a base of the helix, and a porous conductive element at the end of the electrode having an insulating coating cover from 5-95% of the surface of the porous conductive element. The porous element may further provide a guiding mechanism for the helix as it travels out of the electrode for securing the electrode to the heart.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a signal generator for producing pulses to apply to a heart;

a main lead body adapted to carry signals to and from the heart;

a first electrode having an active fixation portion, said main lead body having a first recess therein housing the first electrode, the first electrode capable of moving between a first recessed position within said first recess and a second extended position outside the first recess so that the active fixation portion of the first electrode can attach to a wall of the heart; and

a second lead body associated with the main lead body, a second electrode disposed on the second lead body, the first electrode housed within a first chamber of the heart and the second electrode housed within a second chamber in the heart, the second electrode having an active fixation portion, said main lead body having a second recess therein housing the second electrode, the second lead body capable of moving between a first recessed position within said second recess and a second extended position outside the second recess so that the active fixation portion of the second electrode can attach to the wall of the heart.

2. A lead adapted for endocardial implantation in, on or about the heart, said lead comprising:

a lead body;

a first electrode attached to the distal end of the lead body; and

a second electrode attached to the lead body a selected distance away from the first electrode, the portion of said lead body between the first electrode and second electrode having a single continuous curve therein to facilitate positioning of the first electrode and the second electrode within the heart.

3. A system for detecting arrhythmias of the heart and for delivering signals to the heart, said system comprising:

an electronics system further comprising,

a cardiac activity sensor; and

a signal generator which produces signals to stimulate the heart; and

a lead adapted for endocardial implantation in, on or about the heart and for connection to the electronic system, said lead further comprising;

a main lead body having a first recess therein;

a supplemental lead body carrying a first electrode having an active fixation portion, said supplemental lead body capable of being moved between a first position substantially within the first recess, and a second position substantially outside the first recess; and

a second electrode attached to the main lead body.

4. A lead comprising:

a main lead body adapted to carry signals to and from a heart, the main lead body having a first recess therein;

a first leg associated with the main lead body, the first leg including a first electrode having an active fixation portion, the first leg removably disposed within the first recess; and

a second leg associated with the main lead body, the second leg including a second electrode; and

where the first recess receives the second leg therein.

5. A single pass lead comprising:

a main lead body adapted to carry electrical signals to and from a heart, the main lead body having a lumen therethrough

a first electrode disposed on the main lead body; and

a supplemental lead body having a second electrode, the supplemental lead body rotatably disposed within the lumen of the main lead body.

6. The lead as recited in claim 5, wherein the supplemental lead disposed within an atrium of the heart, and the supplemental lead includes an active fixation mechanism.

8. The lead as recited in claim 5, wherein the supplemental lead body extends from a terminal end to a distal end, and the supplemental lead body is adapted to be rotated within the main lead body using the terminal end of the supplemental lead body.

9. The lead as recited in claim 5, wherein the lumen extends through the main lead body and ends at an aperture at an intermediate portion of the main lead body, and the aperture is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the main lead body.

7. The lead as recited in 6, wherein the supplemental lead body extends from a terminal end to a distal end, the distal end having a J-shape.

10. A single pass lead comprising:

a main lead body adapted to carry electrical signals to and from a heart, the main lead body having a lumen therethrough

a first electrode disposed on the main lead body;

a supplemental lead body having a second electrode, the supplemental lead body movably disposed within the main lead body; and

wherein the lumen extends through the main lead body and ends at an aperture at an intermediate portion of the main lead body, and the aperture is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the main lead body.

11. The lead as recited in claim 10, wherein the supplemental lead is disposed within an atrium of the heart, and the supplemental lead includes an active fixation mechanism.

13. The lead as recited in claim 10, wherein the supplemental lead body is rotatably disposed within the lumen of the main lead body.

12. The lead as recited in 11, wherein the supplemental lead body extends from a terminal end to a distal end, the distal end having a J-shape.

14. The lead as recited in 13, wherein the supplemental lead body extends from a terminal end to a distal end, and the supplemental lead body is adapted to be rotated within the main lead body using the terminal end of the supplemental lead body.

15. A single pass lead comprising:

a main lead body adapted to carry electrical signals to and from a heart, the main lead body having a lumen therethrough, the main lead body having a preformed curve therein;

a first electrode disposed on the main lead body; and

a supplemental lead body having a second electrode, the supplemental lead body movably disposed within the lumen of the main lead body.

16. The lead as recited in claim 15, wherein the supplemental lead disposed within an atrium of the heart, and the supplemental lead includes an active fixation mechanism.

18. The lead as recited in claim 15, wherein the supplemental lead body extends from a terminal end to a distal end, and the supplemental lead body is adapted to be rotated within the main lead body using the terminal end of the supplemental lead body.

19. The lead as recited in claim 15, wherein the lumen extends through the main lead body and ends at an aperture at an intermediate portion of the main lead body, and the aperture is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the main lead body.

20. The lead as recited in claim 15, wherein the supplemental lead disposed within an atrium of the heart, and the supplemental lead includes an active fixation mechanism.

17. The lead as recited in 16, wherein the supplemental lead body extends from a terminal end to a distal end, the distal end having a J-shape.

21. The lead as recited in 20, wherein the supplemental lead body extends from a terminal end to a distal end, the distal end having a J-shape.