Atraumatic sensor lead assemblies

• US 7,846,095 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2004
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Pool, Nancy Perry, Bonde, Eric, Sommer, John L., Christopherson, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mallari; Patricia C
• Application Number:
  US10/919,685
• Publication Number:
  US 20050020895A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,303 Days
• Field of Search: 600/347, 600/365
• US Class Current: 600/365
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems

Abstract

The invention is directed to lead configurations for sensors that allow for less invasive sensor replacement procedures. In one configuration, a sensor lead assembly includes an outer lead body and an inner lead including a sensor such as an electrochemical glucose sensor. The inner lead can be positioned in an inner conduit of the outer lead body. The outer lead body may be substantially permanently implanted in the patient, and the inner lead can be implanted through the inner conduit of the outer lead body. Once the sensor of the inner lead has worn out or otherwise exhausted its useful life, the inner lead can be removed, and a new inner lead can be implanted in place of the old inner lead.

Claims

1. An implantable assembly, comprising:

an implantable medical device housing including a channel within a connector module having an opening, and an electrical contact being housed within the channel proximal to the opening;

an outer lead body including a proximal end, a distal end, and a conduit extending longitudinally from the proximal end to the distal end; and

an inner lead including a first end, a second end, a plurality of sensors, and a plurality of electrical contacts;

the plurality of sensors being positioned in proximity to the second end of the inner lead and electrically coupled to corresponding electrical contacts of the inner lead and the plurality of electrical contacts of the inner lead being positioned in proximity to the first end;

wherein the opening of the channel is adapted for mechanical engagement of the proximal end of the outer lead body and for passage of the inner lead into the channel; and

a lateral window opening formed in the outer lead body and positioned in proximity to the distal end of the lead body;

wherein the plurality sensors of the inner lead includes a first sensor being longitudinally aligned with the window opening; and

wherein the inner lead slideably engages the channel and the conduit of the outer lead body and at least a first one of the plurality of electrical contacts of the inner lead electrically couples to the electrical contact housed within the channel; and

wherein the sensor is a glucose sensor.

2. The implantable assembly of claim 1, wherein the glucose sensor is an electrochemical sensor or an optical sensor.

3. An implantable assembly, comprising:

an implantable medical device housing including a channel within a connector module having an opening, and an electrical contact being housed within the channel proximal to the opening;

an outer lead body including a proximal end, a distal end, and a conduit extending longitudinally from the proximal end to the distal end; and

an inner lead including a first end, a second end, a plurality of sensors, and a plurality of electrical contacts;

the plurality of sensors being positioned in proximity to the second end of the inner lead and electrically coupled to corresponding electrical contacts of the inner lead and the plurality of electrical contacts of the inner lead being positioned in proximity to the first end;

a lateral window opening formed in the outer lead body and positioned in proximity to the distal end of the outer lead body; and

a rotatable structure within the medical device housing and coupled to the inner lead;

wherein the opening of the channel is adapted for mechanical engagement of the proximal end of the outer lead body and for passage of the inner lead into the channel;

wherein the plurality sensors of the inner lead includes a first sensor being longitudinally aligned with the window opening;

wherein the inner lead slideably engages the channel and the conduit of the outer lead body and at least a first one of the plurality of electrical contacts of the inner lead electrically couples to the electrical contact housed within the channel; and

wherein the inner lead slides longitudinally within the outer lead responsive to rotation of the rotatable structure.