XY selectable lead assembly

• US 6,687,542 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2001
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kroll, Mark W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US09/970,837
• Publication Number:
  US 20030069624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 607/5, 607/9, 607/37, 607/38, 607/15, 607/119
• US Class Current: 607/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3686 configured for selecting the electrode configuration on a lead A61N1/3688 takes precedence

Abstract

An implantable cardiac stimulation lead system for use with a stimulation device includes an implantable housing containing a pulse generator which emits stimulation pulses. The lead system includes a first electrode for delivering stimulation pulse current to tissue, a plurality of second electrodes for returning to the stimulation device the pulse current after traversing the tissue, and a matrix switching system. X and Y electrical conductors extend between the stimulating device and the matrix switching system. The matrix switching system includes a switching device to connect each of the Y electrical conductors to each single X electrical conductor and to each of the second electrodes such that each switching device is actuated by a corresponding pulse from the pulse generator applied to corresponding X and Y conductors connected thereto and such that the total number of electrical conductors required is fewer than the number of the second electrode.

Claims

1. An implantable cardiac stimulation lead system for use with a stimulation device including an implantable housing containing a pulse generator which emits stimulation pulses, the lead system comprising:

a plurality of electrodes that return to the stimulation device stimulation pulse current after traversing heart tissue; and

a matrix switching system comprising;

X electrical conductors extending between a proximal connector releasably coupled to the stimulation device and extending to the matrix switching system and connected thereto;

Y electrical conductors extending between the proximal connector releasably coupled to the stimulation device and extending to the matrix switching system and connected thereto; and

wherein the matrix switching system comprises a switching array comprising plural switching devices to connect within the switching array each of the Y electrical conductors to each single X electrical conductor and also to each of the electrodes;

wherein one of the switching devices is actuated by a corresponding pulse from the pulse generator applied to corresponding X and Y conductors connected to the switching device.

2. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the electrodes are mutually spaced ring electrodes distant from the housing.

3. The lead system of claim 1, wherein each switching device is a PNP transistor.

4. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the stimulation device is a pacemaker.

5. The lead system of claim 1, wherein the stimulation device is a defibrillator.

6. An implantable cardiac stimulation lead system for use with a stimulation device including an implantable housing containing a pulse generator which emits stimulation pulses, the lead system comprising:

a plurality of first electrodes formed on or in the lead body for delivering a stimulation pulse current to tissue;

a plurality of second electrodes for returning to the stimulation device the stimulation pulse current after traversing the tissue;

a matrix switching system;

X electrical conductors extending between a proximal connector releasably coupled to the stimulating device and extending to the matrix switching system and connected thereto; and

Y electrical conductors extending between the (or a) proximal connector releasably coupled to the stimulating device and extending to the matrix switching system and connected thereto;

wherein the matrix switching system has a switching device to connect within the matrix switching system each of the Y electrical conductors to each single X electrical conductor and also to each of the second electrodes;

wherein each of the switching devices is actuated by a corresponding pulse from the pulse generator applied to corresponding X and Y conductors connected thereto such that the total number of X and Y electrical conductors required is fewer than the number of the plurality of the second electrodes.

7. The lead system of claim 6:

wherein the first electrode is the implantable housing; and

wherein the second electrodes are mutually spaced ring electrodes distant from the housing.

8. The lead system of claim 6, wherein each switching device is a PNP transistor.

9. The lead system of claim 6, wherein the stimulation device is a pacemaker.

10. The lead system of claim 6, wherein the stimulation device is a defibrillator.

11. The lead system of claim 6 in which at least some of the Y conductors connect to each and every X conductor.