Guide catheters for accessing cardiac sites

• US 8,403,866 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2009
• Issued: 03/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Seifert, Kevin R., Yee, Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): DOUGHERTY, SEAN PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US12/423,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20090198252A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• Field of Search: 600433-435, 600/585, 604/93.01, 604/164.01, 604/164.13, 604/264, 604/523, 607/115, 607/116, 607/119, 607/122, 607/127, 607/131
• US Class Current: 600/585
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0037 characterized by lumina being arranged side-by-side
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0578 having means for removal or extraction
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0585 Coronary sinus electrodes

Abstract

A method and apparatus for introducing a cardiac lead to an implantation site that includes a catheter body having an outer wall and a distal leader and having a proximal portion extending from the first proximal end to a second distal end. An inner member is positioned within an outer lumen of the catheter body and is spaced from the outer wall to form a first inner lumen for receiving a guide tool inserted therein and a second lumen for receiving the cardiac lead while the guide tool is positioned within the first inner lumen. A distal end of the inner member forms a first opening at a distal end of the first inner lumen and a second opening at a distal end of the second inner lumen, the first opening and the second opening positioned proximal the distal leader.

Claims

1. A guide catheter for introducing a cardiac lead having a distal fixation mechanism through a pathway from an incision to an implantation site, comprising:

an elongated catheter body extending between a first proximal end and a first distal end, the elongated catheter body including a distal leader having a length of about 10 mm to about 25 mm, the elongated catheter body extending between the first proximal end and the first distal end and defining a first length, the elongated catheter body further including a proximal portion extending from the first proximal end to a second distal end, the proximal portion defining a second length, the second length being less than the first length, the length of the distal leader extending distally from the second distal end to the first distal end, the elongated catheter body having a delivery lumen and a guide lumen, the delivery lumen extending the second length and having a first diameter and an axis and extending through the proximal portion to a delivery lumen exit port positioned along the second distal end of the proximal portion, wherein the delivery lumen exit port extends away from the axis of the lumen, the guide lumen having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter and extending through the proximal portion and extending through the distal leader to a guide lumen exit port positioned at the first distal end of the catheter body, the guide lumen for receiving a guide tool inserted therein to aid in steering the catheter body through the pathway and the delivery lumen for receiving and advancing the cardiac lead toward the implantation site, wherein the delivery lumen exit port and the guide lumen exit port are separate and unconnected exit ports; and

a flange extending along the proximal portion of the catheter body in a plane different from an axis plane defined by the delivery lumen and the guide lumen to dispose the delivery lumen exit port toward the implantation site.

2. The guide catheter of claim 1, wherein the distal fixation mechanism includes one of a fixation helix adapted to be screwed through a vessel wall into the myocardium, a hook, and a prong adapted to be extended through the vessel wall into the myocardium.

3. The guide catheter of claim 1, wherein the guide tool is one of a guidewire, a stiffening stylet, and a steerable stylet.

4. The guide catheter of claim 1 wherein the second distal end is curved into a guide bend.

5. The guide catheter of claim 1 further comprising a radiopaque marker at the first distal end.

6. The guide catheter of claim 1 further comprising a lubricating coating on inside surfaces of the delivery and guide lumens.

7. The guide catheter of claim 1 further comprising an atraumatic tip at the first distal end.