Implantable electrode line

• US 8,676,352 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2009
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Biotronik SE & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG (Biotronik SE & Company KG)
• Inventors: Geistert, Wolfgang, Franke, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Koharski, Christopher D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dinga, Roland
• Application Number:
  US12/469,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20100131036A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,762 Days
• Field of Search: 607126-128
• US Class Current: 607/126
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0578 having means for removal or extraction
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/058 Fixing tools

Abstract

A device for fastening permanently or temporarily implantable medical devices includes a main body (1) having a first end (1a) and a second end (1b), a flexible and extensible body section (2) therebetween, and a first inflexible and inextensible body support (3) which is fixedly attached to the body section (2) at the second end (1b) of the main body (1), whereby the extensible section (2) can be converted from an unextended state to an extended state in which it is lengthened in comparison with the unextended state. At least one first flexible finger-shaped anchor (4) protrudes away from the main body (1) and is attached to the first body support (3) at an anchor mount (4a). At least one first flexible retraction device (5) is provided for retraction of a respective first anchoring means (4), wherein the retraction device (5) is connected to the body section (2) and to the anchor (4). On conversion of the body section (2) from the unextended state to the extended state, the retraction device (5) does not expand, so that the respective anchors (4) are moved in the direction of the main body (1).

Claims

1. A fastening device for fixing implantable medical devices to tissue including:

a. a main body (1) having;

(1) a first end (1a),

(2) a second end (1b) bearing an inflexible and inextensible first body support (3),

(3) an extensible body section (2) between the first end (1a) and the second end (1b),

b. a flexible elongated first anchor (4);

(1) extending from the main body (1), and

(2) being attached to the first body support (3) at a first anchor mount (4a), and

c. a flexible first retraction device (5) connected between a first anchor fastening location (5b) on the first anchor (4) and a first body fastening location (5a) on the extensible body section (2) of the main body (1), the first retraction device (5);

(1) serving as a tether on the first anchor (4), whereby tension on the first retraction device (5) is transmitted to the first anchor (4), and

(2) including a thin flexible fin extending attached without interruption;

(a) along a length of the first anchor (4) between the first anchor fastening location (5b) and the first anchor mount (4a), and

(b) along a length of the extensible body section (2) between the first anchor mount (4a) and the first body fastening location (5a);

the extensible body section (2) being convertible from an unextended state into an extended state wherein;

i. the spacing between the first body fastening location (5a) and the first anchor mount (4a) is increased, and

ii. the first anchor (4) is pulled by the first retraction device (5) toward the extensible body section (2).

2. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein the extensible body section (2) includes a helical conductor (13b) sheathed within an extensible insulating layer (15b).

3. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein the first retraction device (5) is inextensible, such that the distance between the first anchor fastening location (5b) on the first anchor (4) and the first body fastening location (5a) on the extensible body section (2) does not extend.

4. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein the extensible body section (2) and the first anchor (4) are integrally formed as a unitary part.

5. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein the main body (1) further includes an inflexible and inextensible second body support (6) affixed to the first end (1a) of the main body (1).

6. The fastening device of claim 5 further including:

a. a flexible elongated second anchor (7);

(1) extending from the main body (1), and

(2) being attached to the second body support (6) at a second anchor mount (7a), and

b. a flexible second retraction device (8) connected between a second anchor fastening location (8b) on the second anchor (7) and a second body fastening location (8a) on the extensible body section (2) of the main body (1), the second retraction device (8) serving as a tether on the second anchor (7), whereby tension on the second retraction device (8) is transmitted to the second anchor (7).

7. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein:

a. the first body support (3) includes a first fixation means (3a) for coupling to an object (30/40), wherein force transmitted along the object (30/40) is exerted on the first body support (3) through the first fixation means (3a);

b. the main body (1) includes a body lumen (9) defined therein, the body lumen (9) having a first opening (9a) in the first end (1a) of the main body (1) and having a narrowed throat at the first fixation means (3a);

c. the fastening device further includes a pusher (30, 40) retractably inserted within the body lumen (9), the pusher (30, 40) having an end with a first counterstop (31b, 41b) engaging the first fixation means (3a) at the narrowed throat.

8. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein:

a. the first body support (3) includes a first fixation means (3a) for coupling to an object (30/40), wherein force transmitted along the object (30/40) is exerted on the first body support (3) through the first fixation means (3a);

b. the main body (1) includes a body lumen (9) defined therein, the body lumen (9) having a first opening (9a) in the first end (1a) of the main body (1) and extending to the first fixation means (3a);

b. the fastening device further includes a pusher (30, 40) retractably inserted within the body lumen (9), the pusher (30, 40) having a first counterstop (31b, 41b) which engages the first fixation means (3a).

9. The fastening device of claim 8 wherein:

a. the main body (1) further includes an inflexible and inextensible second body support (6) affixed to the first end (1a) of the main body (1);

b. the second body support (6) includes a second fixation means (6a) for coupling to an object (30/40), wherein force transmitted along the object (30/40) is exerted on the second body support (6) through the fixation means (6a);

c. the pusher (30, 40) includes a second counterstop (31a) which engages the second fixation means (6a).

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the second counterstop (31a) defines a clamp engaging about at least a portion of the second fixation means (6a).

11. The fastening device of claim 8 wherein the body lumen (9) opens upon the first body support (3) of the second end (1b) of the main body (1) at a terminal end of the fastening device.

12. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein:

a. the main body (1) includes a body lumen (9) defined therein, the body lumen (9) having a first opening (9a) in the first end (1a) of the main body (1) and a second opening (9b) at the second end (1b),

b. the anchor (4) extends from the main body (1);

(1) between the first end (1a) and the second end (1b), and

(2) situated rearwardly from the second opening (9b).

13. The fastening device of claim 12 wherein the body lumen (9) bears a gasket about its circumference.

14. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein:

a. the main body (1) includes a body lumen (9) extending between a first opening (9a) in the first end (1a) of the main body (1) and a second opening (9b) in the second end (1b) of the main body (1),

b. a first fixation means (3a) is situated within or about the second opening (9b),

c. a second fixation means (6a) is situated within or about the first opening (9a).

15. The fastening device of claim 1 further including:

a. an electrically active surface (14b) on the first body support (3), and

b. an elongated shaft (11) having

(1) a proximal end,

(2) an opposing distal end (11a) affixed to the first end (1a) of the main body (1),

(3) an electric conductor (13a/13b);

(a) extending from the proximal end of the shaft (11),

(b) in electrical communication with the electrically active surface (14b), and

(c) having a shaft lumen (12) extending therein from the proximal end to the distal end (11a) of the shaft (11).

16. The fastening device of claim 15 wherein:

a. the main body (1) includes a body lumen (9) extending from a first opening (9a) in the first end (1a) of the main body (1) toward a second opening (9b) in the second end (1b) of the main body (1),

b. the shaft lumen (12) opens onto the first opening (9a) in the main body (1), thereby allowing a guide wire and/or a mandrel (20) to extend through the shaft (11) and into the main body (1).

17. A fastening device for fixing implantable medical devices to tissue including:

a. a main body (1) having;

(1) a body section (2) extending between a first end (1a) and a second end (1b), the body section (2) being extensible along an extension direction to increase the spacing between the first end (1a) and the second end (1b),

(2) a body lumen (9) extending from a first opening (9a) in the first end (1a) of the main body (1) toward the second end (1b) of the main body (1);

b. an elongated first anchor (4) extending from a first anchor mount (4a) on the main body (1), at least a portion of the length of the first anchor (4) being flexible, whereby the first anchor (4) may flex between;

(1) an unextended state wherein the first anchor (4) is oriented more perpendicular to the extension direction,

(2) an extended state wherein the first anchor (4) is oriented more parallel to the extension direction,

c. a first tether (5) extending between;

(1) one or more first anchor fastening locations (5b) on the first anchor (4) spaced from the first anchor mount (4a), and

(2) one or more first body fastening locations (5a) on the extensible body section (2) spaced from the first anchor mount (4a),

d. a pusher (30, 40) removably and retractably inserted within the first opening (9a) of the body lumen (9), the pusher (30, 40) including;

(1) a first counterstop (31b, 41b) engaging the main body (1) within the body lumen (9) at a location closer to the second end (1b) of the main body (1) than the first end (1a), and

(2) a second counterstop (31a) engaging the main body (1) at a location closer to the first end (1a) of the main body (1) than the second end (1b),

wherein the first counterstop (31b, 41b) and second counterstop (31a) are respaceable with respect to each other along the pusher (30, 40),

wherein extension of the body section (2) flexes the first anchor (4) toward the extended state as the distance between the first body fastening locations (5a) and the first anchor mount (4a) increases.

18. The fastening device of claim 17 wherein the first tether (5) is defined by a thin flexible fin extending without interruption:

a. along a length of the first anchor (4) between the first anchor fastening location (5b) and the first anchor mount (4a), and

b. along a length of the extensible body section (2) between the first anchor mount (4a) and the first body fastening location (5a).

19. The fastening device of claim 17:

a. wherein the first end (1a) of the main body (1) bears an electrically active surface (14b);

b. further including an electrical conductor (13a/13b) extending from the second end (1b) of the main body (1), the electrical conductor (13a/13b) being;

(1) in electrical communication with the electrically active surface (14b),

(2) at least partially defined by a spring winding helically along the main body (1).

20. The fastening device of claim 17 further including:

a. an elongated second anchor (7) extending from a second anchor mount (7a) on the main body (1), at least a portion of the length of the second anchor (7) being flexible, whereby the second anchor (7) may flex between;

(1) an unextended state wherein the second anchor (7) is oriented more perpendicular to the extension direction,

(2) an extended state wherein the second anchor (7) is oriented more parallel to the extension direction,

b. a second tether (8) extending between;

(1) one or more second anchor fastening locations (8b) on the second anchor (7) spaced from the second anchor mount (7a), and

(2) one or more second body fastening locations (8a) on the extensible body section (2) spaced from the second anchor mount (7a),

wherein extension of the body section (2) flexes the second anchor (7) toward the extended state as the distance between the second body fastening locations (8a) and the second anchor mount (7a) increases.

21. The fastening device of claim 17 wherein:

a. the body lumen (9) includes a second opening (9b) in the second end (1b) of the main body (1), and

b. the second end (1b) of the main body (1) defines a terminal end of the fastening device.

22. The fastening device of claim 17 wherein the body lumen (9) narrows adjacent the second opening (9b) in the second end (1b) of the main body (1).

23. The fastening device of claim 17 wherein the first counterstop (31b, 41b) of the pusher (30, 40) engages the main body (1) within the body lumen (9) at a narrowing of the body lumen (9) adjacent the second opening (9b) in the second end (1b) of the main body (1).