Lead locking device and method

• US 6,324,434 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2000
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Spectranetics Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Spectranetics Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Diaz, Cesar, Plasket, Thomas E., Coe, Michael Sean, Harlan, Kenneth D.
• Primary Examiner(s): EVANISKO, GEORGE ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US09/727,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20010000349A1
• Time in Patent Office: 358 Days
• Field of Search: 607/116, 607/119, 607/122, 606/108
• US Class Current: 607/119
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22034 for gripping the obstruction or the tissue part from inside
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart

Abstract

A lead locking device has a lead engaging member with a mandrel extending along a lumen and attached to the distal end of the lead engaging member such that it extends beyond the proximal end of the lead engaging member. The lead locking device also has a loop handle attached to the proximal end of the mandrel. The lead engaging member has a first configuration which is narrower than a second configuration and is sufficiently long to extend along substantially the entire length of a lead to be removed from a patient'"'"'s body. Methods of removing a lead from a patient'"'"'s body include attaching a lead locking device along substantially the entire length of the lead and applying traction to the proximal end of the lead locking device.

Claims

1. A method of removing a lead implanted in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

inserting a lead locking device into a lumen defined by said lead, said lead locking device comprising an elastic lead engaging member that extends along substantially the entire length of said lead, said elastic lead engaging member having a narrower radial dimension in a longitudinally stretched configuration than in a relaxed configuration, wherein said elastic lead engaging member is in said longitudinally stretched configuration during said inserting said lead locking device;

releasing said elastic lead engaging member of said lead locking device, wherein said elastic lead engaging member returns to a substantially relaxed configuration after being released, said elastic lead engaging member having a relaxed radial dimension that is substantially equal to an inner diameter of said lumen of said lead; and

applying traction to said lead locking device,

wherein said elastic lead engaging member engages said lead along substantially the entire longitudinal length of said lead.

2. A method of removing a lead implanted in a patient'"'"'s body according to claim 1, further comprising:

longitudinally stretching said elastic lead engaging member prior to removing said lead from said patient'"'"'s body; and

removing said lead locking device from said lumen of said lead.

3. A method of removing a lead implanted in a patient'"'"'s body according to claim 2, further comprising:

reinserting said lead locking device back into said lumen defined by said lead;

releasing said elastic lead engaging member of said lead locking device after said reinserting said lead locking device; and

applying traction to said lead locking device.