Inflatable electrode for temporary pacing

• US 6,529,779 B1
• Filed: 12/11/2000
• Issued: 03/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: St. Jude Medical AB (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: St. Jude Medical AB (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sutton, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): WOLFE JR, WILLIS RAY
• Application Number:
  US09/719,438
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 607/4, 607/5, 607/9, 607/98, 607/99, 607/119, 607/122, 607/123, 607/126, 607/128, 607/148, 606/41, 600/374, 600/375, 600/381, 600/467, 600/470
• US Class Current: 607/126
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0565 Electrode heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0585 Coronary sinus electrodes

Abstract

A temporary balloon-type electrode for insertion and temporary fixation in a blood vessel of a heart, for determining a suitable place therein for a subsequently inserted and fixed permanent electrode, has a catheter and an inflatable and deflatable balloon member disposed at a distal end portion of the catheter. The balloon member has at least one radially expandable hollow body. At least one electrode surface contact member is disposed at a peripheral portion of the hollow body, and flow passages are provided for allowing a blood flow to pass the balloon member when inflated. The temporary balloon-type electrode is particularly suited for use in coronary sinus and peripheral coronary veins of the heart.

Claims

1. A temporary balloon-type electrode adapted for insertion and temporary location in a blood vessel of a heart for determining a suitable place therein for a subsequently inserted and fixed permanent electrode, said temporary electrode comprising:

a catheter having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;

an inflatable and deflatable balloon disposed at said distal end portion of the catheter and having at least one radially expandable hollow body;

at least one electrode surface contact member disposed at a peripheral portion of said hollow body; and

flow passages allowing a blood flow to pass the balloon member when inflated.

2. A balloon-type electrode as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one electrode surface contact member is a single ring-shaped electrode surface contact member disposed at the peripheral portion of said hollow body.

3. A balloon-type electrode as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hollow body has an axial length of approximately 2-5 mm.

4. A balloon-type electrode as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hollow body has a diameter in a range between about 2.5 mm and about 20 mm when inflated.

5. A balloon-type electrode as claimed in claim 1 wherein the distal end portion of the catheter has a rounded central opening.

6. A balloon-type electrode as claimed in claim 1 wherein the balloon member is comprised of latex.

7. A balloon-type electrode as claimed in claim 1 comprising X-ray markers disposed on the distal and proximal side of the hollow body.

8. A balloon-type electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein said radially expandable body comprises a plurality of hollow sections.

9. A balloon-type electrode as claimed in claim 8, wherein said flow passages are formed by spaces between adjacent pairs of said hollow sections.

10. A balloon-type electrode as claimed in claim 1 wherein said peripheral portion of said hollow body has a substantially convex profile, as seen in an axial cross-sectional view through said hollow body.

11. A balloon-type electrode as claimed in claim 10, wherein said at least one electrode surface contact member has a convex profile, as seen in an axial cross-sectional view through said hollow body.

12. A balloon-type electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radially expandable body is an annular hollow body.

13. A balloon-type electrode as claimed in claim 12, wherein said flow passages comprise a plurality of circumferentially separated holes extending axially through said annular hollow body.

14. A balloon-type electrode as claimed in claim 12, wherein said flow passages comprise holes in the catheter disposed adjacent and proximal to the radially expandable body.

15. A balloon-type electrode as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of discrete electrode surface contact members circumferentially distributed along the peripheral portion of said hollow body.

16. A balloon-type electrode as claimed in claim 15, wherein said discrete electrode surface contact members are connectible in parallel.

17. A balloon-type electrode as claimed in claim 15, wherein said discrete electrode surface contact members are individually connected to an associated measuring device.