Spring fixation mechanism for epicardial leads
First Claim
1. A lead for insertion into a myocardium of a heart, the lead comprising:
- a lead body defining a lumen extending therethrough, the lead body having a proximal end, a distal end and one or more conductors disposed therein, the lead body distal end having an exit port for the lumen;
a stylet slidably disposed in the lumen and having a sharpened distal end, the stylet having a size and length sufficient to pass through the lumen and exit the lumen through the distal port such that the sharpened distal end can be extended from the lead body distal end to pierce the myocardium, providing a pilot hole for the lead body;
an electrode coupled near the distal end of the lead body; and
a spring fixation mechanism including a spring member and a stop, the spring member formed about the lead body and extending from a spring proximal end slidable relative to the lead body to a spring distal end fixed to the lead body, the stop coupled to the spring proximal end and sized to be retained outside of an epicardium of the heart such that as the lead body is advanced into the epicardium using a distally directed axial force, the spring is stretched between the stop and the distal end of the spring, and, upon removal of the axial force, the spring retracts, capturing epicardial tissue between coils of the spring.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spring fixation mechanism is adapted for fixing the distal end of an epicardial lead in a myocardium of the heart. The spring fixation mechanism is positioned at a distal end of the lead and includes a spring member and a stop. The spring member is formed about the lead and extends from a proximal end slidable relative to the lead to a distal end fixed to the lead. The stop is coupled to the proximal end of the spring member and is sized to be retained outside of an epicardium of the heart. The distal end of the lead, including the spring fixation mechanism, is inserted into the myocardium with a stylet and/or a pusher tube. The spring member is loaded and released, grasping tissue between adjacent coils of the spring member, fixing the lead within the myocardium.
109 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A lead for insertion into a myocardium of a heart, the lead comprising:
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a lead body defining a lumen extending therethrough, the lead body having a proximal end, a distal end and one or more conductors disposed therein, the lead body distal end having an exit port for the lumen; a stylet slidably disposed in the lumen and having a sharpened distal end, the stylet having a size and length sufficient to pass through the lumen and exit the lumen through the distal port such that the sharpened distal end can be extended from the lead body distal end to pierce the myocardium, providing a pilot hole for the lead body; an electrode coupled near the distal end of the lead body; and a spring fixation mechanism including a spring member and a stop, the spring member formed about the lead body and extending from a spring proximal end slidable relative to the lead body to a spring distal end fixed to the lead body, the stop coupled to the spring proximal end and sized to be retained outside of an epicardium of the heart such that as the lead body is advanced into the epicardium using a distally directed axial force, the spring is stretched between the stop and the distal end of the spring, and, upon removal of the axial force, the spring retracts, capturing epicardial tissue between coils of the spring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A lead for insertion through an epicardium and into a myocardium of a heart, the lead comprising:
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a lead body defining a lumen extending therethrough, the lead body having a proximal end, a distal end and one or more conductors disposed therein, the lead body distal end having an exit port for the lumen; a stylet slidably disposed in the lumen and having a sharpened distal end, the stylet having a size and length sufficient to pass through the lumen and exit the lumen through the distal port such that the sharpened distal end can be extended from the lead body distal end to pierce the myocardium, providing a pilot hole for the lead body; an electrode coupled near the distal end of the lead body; a spring fixation mechanism including a spring member and a stop, the spring member formed about the lead body and extending from a spring proximal end to a spring distal end fixed to the lead body, the spring proximal end slidable relative to the lead body such that the lead body can be held immobile while the proximal end is slid along the lead body, the stop coupled to the spring proximal end and sized to be retained outside of an epicardium of the heart, wherein the stop has a first position along the lead body corresponding to a contracted configuration of the spring and a second position along the lead body corresponding to an extended configuration of the spring, the first position being distal of the second position; and a tensioning member having a distal end coupled to the stop and extending proximally therefrom, the tensioning member slidable relative to the lead body such that placing tension on the tensioning member while holding the lead body immobile causes the proximal end of the spring member to be moved proximally along the lead body, stretching the spring member. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification