Coronary vein leads having an atraumatic tip and method therefor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A lead assembly for coupling to an implantable pulse generator, the lead assembly comprising:
- a lead body adapted to carry signals, the lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, and an intermediate portion therebetween;
a connector located at the proximal end of the lead body for coupling the lead assembly to the implantable pulse generator;
at least one conductor disposed within the lead body;
the lead body having at least one preformed biased portion at an intermediate portion of the lead body, the biased portion constructed and arranged to fixate against an interior wall of a coronary vessel upon implantation;
a first unbiased portion disposed adjacent a proximal end of the biased portion;
a second unbiased portion disposed adjacent a distal end of the biased portion, the second unbiased portion including a flexible tapered portion substantially more flexible than the biased portion and adapted to be implanted within a passage, the flexible tapered portion terminating at a distal tip of the lead body;
an open lumen extending longitudinally through the distal tip of the lead body such that the lead can be threaded over a guidewire during implantation of the lead; and
at least a first and a second electrode coupled with the at least one conductor and disposed on the biased portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lead having an atraumatic tip is adapted for implantation on or about the heart within the coronary vasculature and for connection to a signal generator. The lead is constructed and arranged so that when it is implanted, the electrodes are housed in the coronary vasculature and are biased toward a vessel wall by a preformed biased portion. Near the distal end, the lead has an optional tapered portion and a flexible portion, where the flexible portion is more flexible than the biased portion.
52 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A lead assembly for coupling to an implantable pulse generator, the lead assembly comprising:
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a lead body adapted to carry signals, the lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, and an intermediate portion therebetween; a connector located at the proximal end of the lead body for coupling the lead assembly to the implantable pulse generator; at least one conductor disposed within the lead body; the lead body having at least one preformed biased portion at an intermediate portion of the lead body, the biased portion constructed and arranged to fixate against an interior wall of a coronary vessel upon implantation; a first unbiased portion disposed adjacent a proximal end of the biased portion; a second unbiased portion disposed adjacent a distal end of the biased portion, the second unbiased portion including a flexible tapered portion substantially more flexible than the biased portion and adapted to be implanted within a passage, the flexible tapered portion terminating at a distal tip of the lead body; an open lumen extending longitudinally through the distal tip of the lead body such that the lead can be threaded over a guidewire during implantation of the lead; and at least a first and a second electrode coupled with the at least one conductor and disposed on the biased portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A lead assembly for coupling to an implantable pulse generator, the lead assembly comprising:
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a lead body adapted to carry signals, the lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and an intermediate portion therebetween, the lead body terminating at a distal tip; a connector located at the proximal end of the lead body for coupling the lead assembly to the implantable pulse generator; at least one conductor disposed within the lead body; the lead body having at least one preformed biased portion at an intermediate portion of the lead body, the biased portion constructed and arranged to fixate against an interior wall of a coronary vessel upon implantation and including a length of about 3 cm or more; an unbiased portion disposed adjacent a distal end of the biased portion, the second unbiased portion including a flexible portion and a tapered portion near the distal end of the lead body, the flexible portion is more flexible than the biased portion and the tapered portion adapted to be implanted within a passage; an open lumen extending longitudinally through the distal tip of the lead body such that the lead can be threaded over a guidewire during implantation of the lead; and at least a first and a second electrode coupled with the at least one conductor and disposed on the biased portion. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A lead assembly for coupling to an implantable pulse generator, the assembly comprising:
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a lead body adapted to carry signals, the lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and an intermediate portion therebetween, the lead body terminating at a distal tip; a connector located at the proximal end of the lead body for coupling the lead assembly to the implantable pulse generator; at least one conductor disposed within the lead body; the lead body having at least one preformed biased portion at an intermediate portion of the lead body for fixation within a vessel, the biased portion having a lateral width less than about 2 cm and including two or more electrodes disposed thereon; and an unbiased portion disposed distal to the biased portion, the unbiased portion having a length of about 5 cm or more and including a flexible portion and a tapered portion, the flexible portion disposed near the distal end of the lead body and more flexible than the biased portion, the tapered portion disposed at the distal end of the lead body and adapted to be implanted within a passage; and an open lumen extending longitudinally through the distal tip of the lead body such that the lead can be threaded over a guidewire during implantation of the lead. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of implanting a lead assembly for use in combination with an implanted pulse generator, the method comprising:
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placing a guidewire within a coronary vein of a patient'"'"'s body; threading the lead assembly over the guidewire after placing the guidewire in the coronary vein, the lead assembly including a lead body adapted to carry signals, the lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, and an intermediate portion therebetween, a connector located at the proximal end of the lead body, at least one conductor disposed within the lead body, the lead body having at least one preformed biased portion at an intermediate portion of the lead body, the biased portion constructed and arranged to fixate against an interior wall of a coronary vessel upon implantation, an unbiased portion disposed adjacent a distal end of the biased portion, the second unbiased portion including a flexible portion and a tapered portion disposed between the biased portion and the distal end of the lead body, the tapered portion is distal to the biased portion and is more flexible than the biased portion, and at least a first and a second electrodes coupled with at least one conductor and disposed on the biased portion; removing the guidewire so as to allow the biased portion to return to its original shape thereby biasing the at least first and second electrode against the interior wall of the coronary vessel; and connecting the lead assembly to the pulse generator. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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Specification