Implantable heart stimulator with infection control current, employing counter electrode
First Claim
1. An implantable heart stimulator comprising:
- a pulse generator, configured for implantation in a subcutaneous pocket, and an electrode lead connected thereto for delivering electrical stimulation pulses to a heart of a patient, said pulse generator having an electrically conductive housing;
said electrode lead having a proximal portion which, after implantation of said electrode lead, extends substantially from the housing to a location situated beyond entry of the electrode lead into the venous system and before entry of the electrode lead into the superior vena cava, said proximal portion having an exterior with an electrically conductive surface;
said housing comprising a connector header in which said electrode lead is mechanically and electrically connected, said connector header having an exterior with an electrically conductive surface forming, together with said housing and said conductive surface on the exterior of said proximal portion of said electrode lead, an infection control current electrode;
a counter electrode disposed outside of said subcutaneous pocket; and
a current source that supplies an infection control current between said infection control current electrode and said counter electrode that counteracts bacterial growth at least on an exterior of said housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable heart stimulator has a pulse generator, implantable in a subcutaneous pocket, and an electrode lead connected thereto for delivering stimulation pulses to a patient'"'"'s heart. The pulse generator has an electrically conductive housing, and the electrode lead has a proximal portion which after implantation, extends substantially from the housing to a location situated beyond entry into the venous system and before entry into the superior vena cava. The proximal portion has an exterior with an electrically conductive surface, which together with the housing, form an infection control current electrode. A counter electrode is disposed outside of the subcutaneous pocket, and a current source supplies an infection control current between the infection control current electrode and the counter electrode for counteracting bacterial growth at least on an exterior of the housing.
12 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An implantable heart stimulator comprising:
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a pulse generator, configured for implantation in a subcutaneous pocket, and an electrode lead connected thereto for delivering electrical stimulation pulses to a heart of a patient, said pulse generator having an electrically conductive housing; said electrode lead having a proximal portion which, after implantation of said electrode lead, extends substantially from the housing to a location situated beyond entry of the electrode lead into the venous system and before entry of the electrode lead into the superior vena cava, said proximal portion having an exterior with an electrically conductive surface; said housing comprising a connector header in which said electrode lead is mechanically and electrically connected, said connector header having an exterior with an electrically conductive surface forming, together with said housing and said conductive surface on the exterior of said proximal portion of said electrode lead, an infection control current electrode; a counter electrode disposed outside of said subcutaneous pocket; and a current source that supplies an infection control current between said infection control current electrode and said counter electrode that counteracts bacterial growth at least on an exterior of said housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification