Lead fixation tool

• US 7,512,446 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2003
• Issued: 03/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Honeck, Jordon D.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOCKELMAN, MARK
• Application Number:
  US10/693,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20050090884A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,985 Days
• Field of Search: 607 1- 2, 607116-131, 279/62, 279 42- 438, 606/129
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/058 Fixing tools
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/17351 Split end to end

Abstract

A lead fixation tool includes a tapered opening for receiving and guiding a stylet into a lead. The fixation tool also includes an engagement mechanism for gripping a portion of the lead connector so that rotation of the tool causes rotation of an active fixation tip, such as a helical tip, coupled with the lead.

Claims

1. A lead fixation tool comprising:

a proximal portion having a tapered passage there through, with the tapered passage narrowing in a direction towards a distal portion; and

a distal portion having a channel in substantially axial alignment with the passage along a longitudinal axis, wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion are rotatably coupled so that relative rotation is permitted between the proximal portion and the distal portion; and

an expandable lead pin engagement mechanism disposed within the channel, wherein the engagement mechanism is a C-shaped interference clamp that is axially aligned with the passage and to grip a lead connector assembly and remain at a fixed location on said longitudinal axis during said relative rotation of said proximal and distal portions; and

a rotation indicator for indicating relative rotation between the proximal and distal portions the rotation indicator includes;

a resilient arm having an actuator; and

a detent, wherein rotation of the distal portion relative to the proximal portion causes the actuator to engage the detent and provide a signal.

2. The lead fixation tool of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion form an integral housing.

3. The lead fixation tool of claim 1, further comprising a bearing, wherein the bearing couples the distal portion and the proximal portion.

4. The lead fixation tool of claim 1, wherein the signal is audible.

5. The lead fixation tool of claim 1, wherein the signal is a tactile sensation.

6. The lead fixation tool of claim 1, further comprising a handle depending from the distal portion.

7. A lead fixation tool comprising:

a proximal portion having a guide passage disposed there through, wherein the guide passage includes a tapered portion having an opening and a lumen interface, with the tapered portion narrowing in a direction from the opening to the lumen interface; and

a distal portion having a connector channel that is axially aligned with the guide passage along a longitudinal axis, wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion are rotatably coupled so that relative rotation is permitted between the proximal portion and the distal portion;

an expandable engagement collar disposed within the connector channel that is configured for gripping and axially aligned with the guide passage, wherein the engagement collar is a C-shaped interference clamp that is axially aligned with the passage to grip a lead connector assembly and remain at a fixed location on said longitudinal axis during said relative rotation of said proximal and distal end portions; and

a rotation indicator for indicating relative rotation between the proximal and distal portions wherein the rotation indicator includes;

a resilient arm having an actuator; and

a detent, wherein rotation of the distal portion relative to the proximal portion causes the actuator to engage the detent and provide a signal.

8. The fixation tool of claim 7, further comprising a handle depending from the distal portion.

9. The fixation tool of claim 7, further comprising a gripping surface disposed on the proximal portion.

12. The lead fixation tool of claim 7, wherein the signal is audible.

13. The lead fixation tool of claim 7, here the signal is a tactile sensation.

10. The fixation tool of clam 7, wherein the proximal portion is rotatably coupled with the distal portion.

11. The fixation tool of claim 10, wherein the engagement collar is coupled with the proximal portion.

14. A lead fixation tool comprising:

a housing having a generally circular cross section, the housing including a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion are axially aligned, wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion are rotatably coupled;

a guide passage for receiving stylet and extending between an opening in the proximal portion to a lumen interface, wherein the guide passage tapers from a larger diameter at the opening to a narrower diameter distal from the opening;

a lead receiving channel disposed within the distal end for receiving at least a portion of a connector assembly of a lead, the lead receiving channel having a longitudinal axis;

an expandable connector pin channel disposed within the lead receiving channel for receiving a connector pin of the connector assembly and axially aligning the connector pin with the lumen interface; and

an engagement collar defining the connector pin channel and configured to grip the connector pin, wherein the engagement collar is a C-shaped interference clamp that is axially aligned with the lead receiving channel to grip a lead connector assembly and remain at a fixed location on said longitudinal axis during said relative rotation of said proximal and distal portions with the proximal; and

a rotation indicator for indicating relative rotation between the proximal and distal portions while the lead connector assembly is engaged by the C-shaped interference clamp wherein the rotation indicator includes;

a resilient arm having an actuator; and

a detent, wherein rotation of the distal portion relative to the proximal portion causes the actuator to engage the detent and provide a signal.

15. The lead fixation tool of claim 14, further comprising a handle depending from the distal portion in a plane that is perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the tool.

16. The lead fixation tool of claim 14, further comprising a gripping surface disposed over at least a portion of an exterior of the proximal portion.

17. The lead fixation tool of claim 16, wherein the gripping surface includes a plurality of ridges.

18. The lead fixation tool of claim 14, further comprising a directional indicator for indicating a direction of rotation to affect lead implantation.

19. The lead fixation tool of claim 14, wherein the proximal portion is rotatable relative to the distal portion.

20. The lead fixation tool of claim 19, further comprising a bearing forming an interconnection between the proximal portion and the distal portion.

21. The lead fixation tool of claim 14, wherein the resilient arm is coupled with the proximal portion and the detent is formed in the distal portion.

22. The lead fixation tool of claim 21, further comprising a window disposed on the distal portion that permits visual observance of the actuator engaging the detent.

23. The lead fixation tool of claim 14, wherein the signal is audible.

24. The lead fixation tool of claim 14, wherein the signal is a tactile sensation.

25. The lead fixation tool of claim 14, wherein the guide passage is configured to receive a portion of a handle of the stylet.

26. The lead fixation tool of claim 14, wherein the housing is aligned parallel to the connector pin during rotation of the tool.