J-shaped coronary sinus lead

• US 6,321,123 B1
• Filed: 03/08/1999
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Morris, Mary M., Min, Xiaoyi
• Primary Examiner(s): Schaetzle, Kennedy
• Application Number:
  US09/264,609
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 607/122, 607/123, 607/121, 600/374, 600/381, 600/393
• US Class Current: 607/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0585 Coronary sinus electrodes

Abstract

The lead configuration enhances the sensing characteristics of the lead and provides for stable location of the electrodes in the coronary sinus. The J-shaped bend in the distal portion of the lead body spaces the distal tip of the lead body less than about 0.9 inches laterally from the portion of the lead body that is proximal to the bend. The tip of the lead body is provided with a pacing/sensing electrode and the curved portion of the J-shaped bend carries an elongated coil electrode that serves as an indifferent electrode for pacing and sensing. For left atrial pacing, the lead tip electrode is located adjacent the wall of the coronary sinus closest to the left atrium, and the indifferent electrode is located adjacent the opposite wall of the coronary sinus, closer to the left ventricle. To enhance spatial distribution of the indifferent electrode and provide for greater averaging of the ventricular signal, which in turn reduces the far field of the ventricular signal, the indifferent electrode extends over 10-50 millimeters or multiple spaced indifferent electrodes are used.

Claims

1. A cardiac pacing lead for implant in a patient'"'"'s coronary sinus, comprising:

an elongated lead body having an outer insulative layer extending over a proximal section and including an elongated conductor therein extending from a proximal end to a distal end; and

a tip electrode carried on the distal end of the lead body and coupled to the conductor; and

a portion of the lead body proximal to the tip electrode and distal to the outer insulative layer being configured as a curved, J-shaped segment having a curvature of 90 to 150 degrees, the tip electrode being spaced laterally from the proximal, insulative layer section no more than about 0.9 inches.

2. A lead according to claim 1 wherein the lead further comprises an elongated indifferent electrode extending along the curved segment of the J-shaped portion and having a length of at least about 10 mm and wherein the lead body includes a second conductor coupled to the indifferent electrode.

3. A cardiac pacing lead for implant in a patient'"'"'s coronary sinus of a patient'"'"'s heart, comprising:

an elongated lead body having an outer insulative layer extending over a proximal section and including a pair of elongated conductors therein extending from a proximal end to a distal end; and

a tip electrode carried on the distal end of the lead body and coupled to one of the conductors; and

an elongated indifferent electrode carried on the lead body proximal to the tip electrode and distal to the proximal section having the outer insulative layer, the indifferent electrode being coupled to the other of the conductors;

a portion of the lead body proximal to the tip electrode and distal to the outer insulative layer being configured as a curved, J-shaped segment, the curved portion having a radius of curvature such that, when the tip electrode is positioned during implant adjacent a wall of the coronary sinus closest to the left atrium, the tip electrode extends proximally and the proximal end of the indifferent electrode lies generally along the wall of the coronary sinus closer to the ventricle and curves away from the wall of the coronary sinus to extend generally perpendicular to it.

4. A cardiac pacing lead for implant in a patient'"'"'s coronary sinus of a patient'"'"'s heart, comprising:

an elongated lead body having an outer insulative layer extending over a proximal section and including a pair of elongated conductors therein extending from a proximal end to a distal end; and

a tip electrode carried on the distal end of the lead body and coupled to one of the conductors; and

an elongated indifferent electrode carried on the lead body proximal to the tip electrode and distal to the proximal section having the outer insulative layer, the indifferent electrode being coupled to the other of the conductors;

a portion of the lead body proximal to the tip electrode and distal to the outer insulative layer being configured as a curved, J-shaped segment, the curved portion having a radius of curvature such that, when the tip electrode is positioned during implant adjacent a wall of the coronary sinus closest to the left atrium, the tip electrode extends distally and the proximal end of the indifferent electrode lies generally along the wall of the coronary sinus closer to the ventricle and curves away from the wall of the coronary sinus to extend toward the wall of the coronary sinus adjacent the atrium.