Intramuscular medical electrical lead with fixation member

• US 6,434,431 B1
• Filed: 01/20/2000
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Duysens, Victor, Gerber, Martin T., Camps, Antoine
• Primary Examiner(s): EVANISKO, GEORGE ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US09/487,787
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 607/126-128, 607/130-132, 607/116, 607/119, 600/375
• US Class Current: 607/132
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/059 Anchoring means

Abstract

The present invention relates to an intramuscular medical electrical lead, a system for providing electrical stimulation or sensing using such a lead, and methods of implanting, making and using same. The lead includes at least a first fixation member disposed distally or proximally from a sensing or stimulating electrode, and may further include a second fixation member disposed at the opposite end of the electrode form the first fixation member. The fixation members permit the electrode to be reliably and fixedly secured within a patient'"'"'s muscle tissue at a desired site, and to remain so secured for a predetermined suitable period of time.

Claims

1. An elongated medical lead having distal and proximal ends, the lead being suitable for at least one of electrically stimulating and sensing electrical signals originating in at least a portion of human or animal muscle tissue, comprising:

(a) a lead body having distal and proximal ends, the lead body comprising at least one electrical conductor;

(b) at least one electrical conductor disposed at least partially within the lead body;

(c) at least one electrode electrically connected to the electrical conductor, the electrode having proximal and distal ends;

(d) at least one of a proximal fixation member and a distal fixation member, the proximal fixation member being located near or attachable to a first position located near the proximal end of the electrode, the distal fixation member being located near or attachable to a second position located near the distal end of the electrode; and

(e) a distal line having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the distal line being connected to the lead body at a location distal from the distal end of the electrode;

wherein the electrode forms a variable-stiffness member whose flexibility is adapted to be changed by a physician.

2. An implantable system for electrically stimulating or sensing electrical signals originating in at least a portion of human or animal muscle tissue, comprising:

(a) an implantable pulse generator for providing electrical stimulation signals and/or receiving sensed electrical signals;

(b) an elongated medical lead having distal and proximal ends, the the proximal end of the lead being configured for attachment to the implantable pulse generator, the lead being suitable for at least one of electrically stimulating and sensing electrical signals originating in at least a portion of the human or animal muscle tissue, the lead comprising;

(i) a lead body having distal and proximal ends, the lead body comprising at least one electrical conductor;

(ii) at least one electrical conductor disposed at least partially within the lead body;

(v) at least one electrode electrically connected to the electrical conductor, the electrode having proximal and distal ends;

(vi) at least one of a proximal fixation member and a distal fixation member, the proximal fixation member being located near or attachable to a first position located near the proximal end of the electrode, the distal fixation member being located near or attachable to a second position located near the distal end of the electrode; and

(v) a distal line having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the distal line being connected to the lead body at a location distal from the distal end of the electrode;

wherein the electrode forms a variable-stiffness member whose flexibility is adapted to be changed by a physician.