Anterior positioning on opposing sides of sternum

• US 7,774,058 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2006
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cameron Health Inc (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cameron Health Inc (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Ostroff, Alan H., Bardy, Gust H., Erlinger, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Manuel; George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Narayanaswamy; Shubatra
• Application Number:
  US11/555,447
• Publication Number:
  US 20070060957A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,378 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/4, 607/5
• US Class Current: 607/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 Pacemakers
• 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 1/3918 characterised by shock pathway, e.g. by electrode configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3956 Implantable devices for applying electric shocks to the heart, e.g. for cardioversion
• 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

A subcutaneous cardiac device includes a subcutaneous electrode and a housing coupled to the subcutaneous electrode by a lead with a lead wire. The subcutaneous electrode is adapted to be implanted in a frontal region of the patient so as to overlap a portion of the patient'"'"'s heart.

Claims

1. A method of terminating a cardiac arrhythmia in a patient comprising delivering an electrical stimulus between at least first and second implanted electrodes by using the first and second implanted electrodes as opposing poles for delivering the electrical stimulus, wherein:

the first implanted electrode is disposed on a lead assembly;

the second implanted electrode is on a housing for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator;

the lead assembly is coupled to the implantable cardioverter defibrillator;

the electrical stimulus is a defibrillation stimulus;

the housing is disposed at a position anterior to the patient'"'"'s heart and on a first side of the patient'"'"'s sternum; and

the first implanted electrode is subcutaneously disposed at a position anterior to the patient'"'"'s heart and on a second side of the patient'"'"'s sternum.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing is disposed to the left of the patient'"'"'s sternum and the first implanted electrode is disposed to the right of the patient'"'"'s sternum.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing is disposed to the right of the patient'"'"'s sternum and the first implanted electrode is disposed to the left of the patient'"'"'s sternum.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing is disposed at a location near and inferior to the patient'"'"'s clavicle, and the first implanted electrode is disposed at a substantially horizontal position on the right side of the patient'"'"'s sternum.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing is disposed at a pectoral position to the right of the patient'"'"'s sternum, and the first implanted electrode is disposed at a substantially horizontal position to the left of the patient'"'"'s sternum.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing is disposed at about the left inframammary crease, and the first implanted electrode is disposed at a substantially horizontal position to the right of the patient'"'"'s sternum.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing is disposed at about the right inframammary crease, and the first implanted electrode is disposed at a substantially horizontal position corresponding to the top of the heart.