Cardioverter-defibrillator having a focused shocking area and orientation thereof

• US 7,813,797 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2006
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cameron Incorporated (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Cameron Incorporated (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Rissmann, William J., Bardy, Gust H., Sanders, Gary H., Cappato, Riccardo
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow; Scott M
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATTON, AMANDA K
• Application Number:
  US11/349,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20060155337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,709 Days
• Field of Search: 128/898, 607 4- 5, 607129-132
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 Pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37518 Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation
• 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 1/3956 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

One embodiment of the present invention provides an implantable cardioverter defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning between the third rib and the twelfth rib within a patient, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator including a housing; an electrical circuit located within the housing; a first electrode coupled to the electrical circuit and located on the housing; and a second electrode coupled to the electrical circuit.

Claims

1. A method of inserting an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator within a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a cardioverter-defibrillator consisting of a housing that includes an electrical circuitry located within the housing, and a first electrode located on the housing, the housing being tapered from a first end to a second end and having first and second curved surfaces configured to taper toward the second end to a housing depth of about 1-4 millimeters, the housing shaped to mimic a natural curvature of the patient'"'"'s ribcage, with the first electrode located at the second end of the housing; and

a lead having a second electrode thereon and attached to the housing;

creating a single opening into subcutaneous tissue of the patient via an incision at about the 5^th or 6^th intercostal space of the patient;

advancing the housing and the first electrode through the single opening and subcutaneously over approximately the anterior portion of a patient'"'"'s ribcage until the first electrode and the second end of the housing are adjacent the sternum;

advancing the lead, with the second electrode, posteriorly through the incision toward a paraspinal position; and

orienting the second electrode such that an angle defined from the second electrode, to the patient'"'"'s heart, and to the first electrode, is in the range of approximately 30 degrees to approximately 180 degrees;

wherein the method is completed by advancing the housing and each of the first and second electrodes over the ribcage of the patient and only to the subcutaneous tissue of the patient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of advancing the housing includes placing the housing over an anterior-lateral portion of the patient'"'"'s ribcage near the inframammary crease.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the single opening is an incision at about the left anterior axillary line of the patient.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the single opening is approximately level with the apex of the patient'"'"'s heart.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the single opening is approximately level with the apex of the patient'"'"'s heart.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic circuitry includes a battery.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic circuitry includes a battery supply, capacitor and operational circuitry.