Methods for determining placement of an implantable cardiac stimulus device

• US 7,463,924 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2005
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cameron Incorporated (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Cameron Incorporated (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Rissmann, William J., Bardy, Gust H., Cappato, Riccardo
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHAETZLE, KENNEDY
• Application Number:
  US11/040,912
• Publication Number:
  US 20050137637A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 607/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3906 characterised by the form of the shockwave
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3956 Implantable devices for applying electric shocks to the heart, e.g. for cardioversion
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39622 Pacing therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3968 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings A61N1/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3975 Power supply A61N1/378 takes precedence

Abstract

Methods and devices for cutaneous testing of a patient for the purpose of implanting and/or placing electrodes for electrical cardiac stimulation. In an example, a cutaneous electrode system is placed and used to observe cardiac signal sensing and/or simulate cardiac stimulation. The method may include identifying locations for improved sensing or simulation, and implanting a device or system such that implanted electrodes are placed to correspond to cutaneously identified locations.

Claims

1. A method of providing an electrical cardiac stimulus device to a patient, the method comprising:

cutaneously sensing electric cardiac signals from a patient at a plurality of cutaneous locations using cutaneous electrodes;

identifying cutaneous locations providing improved signal detection;

using the cutaneous locations providing improved signal detection to estimate the best location of the electrical cardiac stimulus device; and

implanting a cardiac stimulus device at the identified best location;

wherein the cardiac stimulus device includes a canister having an electrode thereon and a lead assembly, and the step of implanting the cardiac stimulus device includes placing the lead assembly at only subcutaneous locations, without contacting the heart and without disposing a lead within a blood vessel in or adjacent to the heart.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the cutaneous electrodes include a cutaneous patch electrode and at least one cutaneous electrode strip; and

the steps of cutaneously sensing electric cardiac signals and identifying cutaneous locations are performed to include testing various bipole spacings of the cutaneous electrodes.