Cardioverter-defibrillator having a focused shocking area and orientation thereof

• US 8,706,217 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2012
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cameron Health Inc (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cameron Incorporated (SLB)
• Inventors: Bardy, Gust H., Cappato, Riccardo, Rissmann, William J., Sanders, Gary H.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATTON, AMANDA K
• Application Number:
  US13/436,417
• Publication Number:
  US 20120197329A1
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 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. Some embodiments also include a physiologic sensor. Other embodiments comprise methods of implanting and subcutaneously positioning an implantable defibrillator.

Claims

1. An implantable defibrillator comprising:

a housing having a length of about 30 cm and having first and second ends with a first electrode disposed on the first end and a second electrode disposed on the second end;

the housing containing operational circuitry configured to receive cardiac signals from the first and second electrodes and deliver defibrillation energy via the first and second electrodes;

the housing being shaped to allow implantation over the ribcage of a patient such that when the first end is disposed at a left parasternal location, the second end extends to underneath the patient'"'"'s left arm; and

the housing being configured to define a first curvature across a first region near the first end and a second curvature across a second region near the second end, the first curvature being generally planar and the second curvature being generally non-planar, such that the housing will conform to the contours of the ribcage when implanted subcutaneously.

2. The implantable defibrillator of claim 1, wherein the housing has a width in the range of about 3-10 cm.

3. The implantable defibrillator of claim 2, wherein the housing is generally rectangular.

4. The implantable defibrillator of claim 2, wherein the first and second ends are rounded in arc shaped curves.

5. The implantable defibrillator of claim 2, wherein the first end is rounded in an arc shaped curve, and the second end is generally square.

6. The implantable defibrillator of claim 1, wherein the housing is generally rectangular.

7. The implantable defibrillator of claim 1, wherein the first and second ends are rounded in arc shaped curve.

8. The implantable defibrillator of claim 1, wherein the first end is rounded in an arc-shaped curve, and the second end is generally square.

9. The implantable defibrillator of claim 1 further comprising a physiological sensor configured to monitor the patient'"'"'s blood glucose level.

10. The implantable defibrillator of claim 1 further comprising a physiological sensor configured to monitor the patient'"'"'s respiration.

11. The implantable defibrillator of claim 1 further comprising a physiological sensor configured to monitor the patient'"'"'s blood pressure.

12. The implantable defibrillator of claim 1 further comprising a physiological sensor configured to monitor the patient'"'"'s cardiac output.

13. An implantable defibrillator consisting of:

a housing having a length of about 30 cm and having first and second ends with a first electrode disposed on the first end and a second electrode disposed on the second end;

the housing containing operational circuitry configured to receive cardiac signals from the first and second electrodes and deliver defibrillation energy via the first and second electrodes;

the housing being shaped to allow implantation over the ribcage of a patient such that when the first end is disposed at a left parasternal location, the second end extends to underneath the patient'"'"'s left arm; and

the housing being configured to define a first curvature across a first region near the first end and a second curvature across a second region near the second end, the first curvature being generally planar and the second curvature being generally non-planar, such that the housing will conform to the contours of the ribcage when implanted subcutaneously.

14. The implantable defibrillator of claim 13, wherein the housing has a width in the range of about 3-10 cm.

15. The implantable defibrillator of claim 13, wherein the housing is generally rectangular.

16. The implantable defibrillator of claim 13, wherein the first and second ends are rounded in arc shaped curves.

17. The implantable defibrillator of claim 13 wherein the housing further includes a physiological sensor located thereon and configured to monitor the patient'"'"'s blood glucose level located thereon.

18. The implantable defibrillator of claim 13 wherein the housing further includes a physiological sensor located thereon and configured to monitor the patient'"'"'s respiration.

19. The implantable defibrillator of claim 13 wherein the housing further includes a physiological sensor located thereon and configured to monitor the patient'"'"'s blood pressure.

20. The implantable defibrillator of claim 13 wherein the housing further includes a physiological sensor located thereon and configured to monitor the patient'"'"'s cardiac output.