Method of deployable medical lead fixation

• US 7,736,198 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lokhoff, Nicolaas M., Hine, Douglas S., Sommer, John L., Hess, Douglas N., Love, Charles J., Bjorklund, Vicki L.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHIEM M
• Application Number:
  US11/468,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20060292912A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,384 Days
• Field of Search: 439/700, 600/375, 607/116, 607/126, 607/127
• US Class Current: 439/700
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/058 Fixing tools

Abstract

An improved medical lead assembly and method of use is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body, and a spring member positioned adjacent to the lead body. The spring member may be deployed a selectable amount to maintain the lead body in a fixed location within a patient'"'"'s body. The spring member may be an expandable coil, a mesh structure that is similar to a stent, or any other similar device that may be positioned in a low-profile state during a lead implant procedure. After the lead is positioned at a target destination, the spring member may be deployed an amount that is selected based on the characteristics of the surrounding tissue, including vessel size. According to one aspect of the invention, the lead assembly may provide means for facilitating chronic lead extraction.

Claims

1. A method of positioning a lead assembly within a body, comprising the steps of:

deploying a selectably deployable spring member, located adjacent to and coupled to a lead body of the lead assembly, in a first deployed state enabling passage of the lead assembly within the body;

advancing the lead body to a target location in the body while the spring member is deployed in the first deployed state; and

selectively deploying the spring member in a second deployed state maintaining the lead body at the target location;

wherein the lead assembly further includes a tubular member slidably engaging the lead body, and wherein the step of selectively deploying further comprises the step of positioning the tubular member at a selected position relative to the spring member to deploy the spring member a selected amount; and

wherein the tubular member is positioned at the selected position relative to the lead body to release the spring member into the body.

2. A method of use of an electrode lead, wherein the lead comprises:

a lead body carrying an electrode on a distal portion thereof and having a conductor therein coupled to the electrode and extending to an electrical connector at a proximal portion of the lead body;

a tubular member slidably mounted over the lead body; and

a spring member held compressed mounted around the lead body in a first deployed state;

wherein the method comprises;

advancing the lead body to a target location in a patient'"'"'s body within a blood vessel while the spring member is deployed in the first deployed state;

sliding the tubular member proximally to a first desired position to allow a distal portion of the spring member to expand to a second deployed state, maintaining the lead body at the target location;

maintaining the tubular member at the first desired position relative to the lead body using a fixation device; and

stimulating tissue at the target location with the electrode.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the lead comprises a stopper located proximally to the tubular member and wherein maintaining the tubular member at the first desired position comprises sliding the tubular member proximally until it contacts the stopper.

4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising sliding the tubular member proximally to a second desired position proximal to the first desired position to release the spring member from the lead and into the patient'"'"'s body.

5. A method according to claim 4, further comprising sliding the lead proximally relative to the spring member to remove the lead body from the patient'"'"'s body.

6. A method according to claim 4, further comprising removing the stopper prior to sliding the tubular member to the second desired position.

7. A method according to claim 2, further comprising sliding the tubular member proximally to a second desired position proximal to the first desired position to release the spring member from the lead and into the patient'"'"'s body.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising sliding the lead proximally relative to the spring member to remove the lead body from the patient'"'"'s body.

9. A method according to claim 2, wherein the spring member comprises a stent.

10. A method according to claim 2, wherein the spring member comprises a coil.

11. A method of use of an electrode lead, wherein the lead comprises:

a lead body carrying an electrode on a distal portion thereof and having a conductor therein coupled to the electrode and extending to an electrical connector at a proximal portion of the lead body;

a tubular member slidably mounted over the lead body; and

a spring member held compressed mounted around the lead body in a first deployed state;

wherein the method comprises;

advancing the lead body to a target location in a patient'"'"'s body within a blood vessel while the spring member is deployed in the first deployed state;

sliding the tubular member proximally to a first desired position to allow a distal portion of the spring member to expand to a second deployed state, maintaining the lead body at the target location;

maintaining the tubular member at the first desired position relative to the lead body using a fixation device;

stimulating tissue at the target location with the electrode;

sliding the tubular member distally to compress the distal portion of the spring member to expand to the first deployed state;

advancing the lead body to a new target location in a patient'"'"'s body within a blood vessel while the spring member is deployed in the first deployed state; and

stimulating tissue at the new target location with the electrode.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the lead comprises a stopper located proximally to the tubular member and wherein maintaining the tubular member at the first desired position comprises sliding the tubular member proximally until it contacts the stopper.

13. A method according to claim 11, further comprising sliding the tubular member proximally to a second desired position proximal to the first desired position to release the spring member from the lead and into the patient'"'"'s body.

14. A method according to claim 12, further comprising sliding the lead proximally relative to the spring member to remove the lead body from the patient'"'"'s body.