Apparatus for placement of cardiac defibrillator and pacer
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument comprising:
- an electrode structure including an inflatable member having substantially opposed surfaces and a number of electrodes disposed on one of the surfaces thereof, the inflatable member being disposed in uninflated configuration near a distal end of an elongated body; and
a slide element carried by the elongated body to facilitate placement of the electrode structure in inflated configuration for contacting an external surface of the pericardium of a patient'"'"'s heart with the number of electrodes on the inflatable member in an inflated configuration, the slide element being removable from the electrode structure following placement thereof and inflation of the inflatable member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Surgical procedure and surgical instruments include an electrode structure for insertion through tissue superiorly of a subxiphoid incision to a position posterior of an aspect of the sternum and anterior of the pericardium. The electrode structure may be expanded, for example, including an inflatable member to position a number of electrodes of the electrode structure in contact with the pericardium. Alternatively, an electrode structure on an insertion cannula may be retained in contact with the pericardium by the cannula positioned within the dissected tissue. Electrical conductors from the contacting electrodes are routed through the tract of dissected tissue toward the subxiphoid incision for attachment to a generator that is implanted in a subcutaneous pocket near the subxiphoid incision.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument comprising:
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an electrode structure including an inflatable member having substantially opposed surfaces and a number of electrodes disposed on one of the surfaces thereof, the inflatable member being disposed in uninflated configuration near a distal end of an elongated body; and a slide element carried by the elongated body to facilitate placement of the electrode structure in inflated configuration for contacting an external surface of the pericardium of a patient'"'"'s heart with the number of electrodes on the inflatable member in an inflated configuration, the slide element being removable from the electrode structure following placement thereof and inflation of the inflatable member.
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2. A surgical instrument comprising:
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an electrode structure including an inflatable member having substantially opposed surfaces and a number of electrodes disposed on one of the surfaces thereof, the inflatable member being disposed near a distal end of an elongated body; a sheath slidably supported on the body and overlaying the inflatable member for confining the inflatable member in uninflated configuration within the sheath in a distal slide position, and for exposing the inflatable member with the sheath in a proximal slide position; and a fluid passage within the body in communication with the inflatable member for inflating the inflatable member to facilitate contacting the number of electrodes on said one surface to an external surface of the pericardium of a patient'"'"'s heart. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An inflatable electrode structure for contacting the heart of a patient comprising:
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an anterior membrane and a posterior membrane of flexible substantially inelastic materials sealed together with a pressurizable region therebetween; a number of electrodes disposed in spaced relationship on an outer surface of the posterior membrane; an electrical conductor connected to each of the number of electrodes; and a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the pressurizable region for supplying fluid under pressure thereto to expand the spacing between the membranes. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification