High impedance electrode tip
First Claim
1. An endocardial lead comprising:
- a lead body having a conductive wire therein;
an electrode connected to the conductive wire, the electrode having a distal electrode end and a proximal end;
a helix coupled with said electrode, said helix aligned along a radial axis of the lead body and the electrode at said distal electrode end, the helix having a base, proximal end and a distal, pointed end with a middle helix portion extending between the proximal end of the helix and the distal, pointed end of the helix, wherein at least a portion of the helix has an insulating coating disposed thereon, wherein the insulting coating extends over a section of the helix beginning at the distal, pointed end of the helix and ending in the middle portion of the helix such that there is an insulated section of the helix extending from the middle portion of the base, proximal end of the helix; and
a porous conductive surface at the distal electrode end of the electrode having an insulting coating partially covering the surface of said porous conductive surface.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable lead, being either a fixed or retractable/extendable lead, having a distal tip electrode is adapted for implantation on or about the heart and for connection to a system for monitoring or stimulating cardiac activity. The electrode includes a mechanical fastener such as a fixation helix for securing the electrode to cardiac tissue, which may or may not be electrically active. The implantable electrode with a helical tip includes an electrode which has a distal end and a proximal end. A helix is disposed within the electrode, where the helix is aligned along a radial axis of the electrode. The electrode further includes one or more of the following features: the helix having a coating of an insulating material on a surface of the helix, a porous conductive surface at a base of the helix, a porous conductive element at the end of the electrode having an insulating coating covering from 5-95% of the surface of the porous conductive element. The electrode may farther include an electrode tip having a porous electrical conductive element, such as a mesh screen, disposed on a surface at the distal end of the electrode tip, which can be used as a sensing or pacing interface with the cardiac tissue.
218 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An endocardial lead comprising:
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a lead body having a conductive wire therein;
an electrode connected to the conductive wire, the electrode having a distal electrode end and a proximal end;
a helix coupled with said electrode, said helix aligned along a radial axis of the lead body and the electrode at said distal electrode end, the helix having a base, proximal end and a distal, pointed end with a middle helix portion extending between the proximal end of the helix and the distal, pointed end of the helix, wherein at least a portion of the helix has an insulating coating disposed thereon, wherein the insulting coating extends over a section of the helix beginning at the distal, pointed end of the helix and ending in the middle portion of the helix such that there is an insulated section of the helix extending from the middle portion of the base, proximal end of the helix; and
a porous conductive surface at the distal electrode end of the electrode having an insulting coating partially covering the surface of said porous conductive surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An endocardial lead comprising:
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a lead body having a conductive wire therein;
an electrode connected to the conductive wire, the electrode having a distal electrode end and a proximal end;
a helix coupled with said electrode, said helix aligned along a radial axis of the lead body and the electrode at said distal electrode end, the helix being adapted for screwing into a heart tissue, the helix having a base, proximal end and a distal, pointed end with a middle helix portion extending between the proximal end of the helix and the distal, pointed end of the helix, wherein at least a portion of the helix has an insulating coating disposed thereon, wherein the insulating coating extends over a section of the helix beginning at the distal, pointed end of the helix and ending in the middle portion of the helix such that there is an uninsulated section of the helix extending from the middle portion of the helix to the base, proximal end of the helix; and
a mesh surface at the distal electrode end of the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. An endocardial lead comprising:
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a lead body having a conductive wire therein;
an electrode connected to the conductive wire; and
a fixation helix coupled with said electrode and adapted for being screwed into a heart tissue, said helix aligned along a radial axis of the lead body when the fixation helix is implanted in the heart tissue, the helix having a base, proximal end and a distal, pointed end with a middle helix portion extending between the proximal end of the helix and the distal, pointed end of the helix, said helix defined in part by an outer surface having a coating of an insulating material extending over a section of the helix beginning at the distal, pointed end of the helix and ending in the middle portion of the helix such that there is an uninsulated section of the helix extending from the middle portion of the helix to the base, proximal end of the helix. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. An endocardial lead, comprising;
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a lead body having a conductive wire therein;
a electrode connected to the conductive wire; and
a fixation helix located at a distal tip of the lead body and axially with the lead body when the fixation helix is implanted in a heart tissue, the fixation helix having a distal, pointed end for screwing into the heart tissue and having a base, proximal end with a middle helix portion extending between the proximal end of the helix and the distal, pointed end of the helix, said fixation helix having a surface with an electrically insulating coating thereon, said electrically insulating coating extends over a section of the helix beginning at the distal, pointed end of the helix, and ending in the middle portion of the helix such that there is an insulated section of the helix extending from the middle portion of the helix to the base, proximal end of the helix. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification