Fiber optic assisted medical lead
First Claim
1. An implantable medical lead assembly configured for fixing an electrode connected to the lead to tissue in a human body, the lead assembly comprising:
- a) an elongated lead body extending from a proximal lead portion to a distal lead portion, wherein the proximal lead portion is detachably connectable to an implantable medical device and wherein at least the distal lead portion has a first longitudinal, axis and a distal lead portion diameter aligned generally perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis;
b) an electrical conductor disposed along at least part of the lead body;
c) a lead head comprising an annular lead head sidewall having a sidewall thickness extending from a sidewall outer surface to a sidewall, inner surface surrounding an aperture in the lead head, the lead head aperture extending along a second longitudinal axis from a proximal lead head end to a distal lead head end providing a tissue contact surface, wherein the distal lead portion is connected to the lead head sidewall at an attachment point so that the first longitudinal axis of the distal lead portion is radially offset from the second longitudinal axis of the lead head aperture; and
d) an electrode coupled to the lead head, the electrode configured to be fixedly secured to body tissue to conduct electricity from the electrical conductor to the body tissue,e) wherein the distal lead portion is movable at the attachment point to the lead head from a constrained position to an unconstrained position,i) wherein the distal lead portion diameter is substantially equal to or less than the lead head sidewall thickness so that when in the constrained position, the first longitudinal axis of the distal lead portion is disposed at less than about a 30 degree angle with respect to the second longitudinal axis of the lead head aperture to thereby leave the lead head aperture substantially unobstructed by the distal lead portion, andii) wherein in the unconstrained position, the distal lead portion lays across the lead head aperture to contact the lead head sidewall opposite the attachment point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical device for placing a medical lead in the human body using minimally invasive techniques is described. One lead includes a lead body connected to a lead head having an aperture for providing fiber optic access to the interior of a helical electrode. The fiber optic shaft may be disposed within or along-side a drive shaft releasably coupled to the lead head to rotate the head. The drive shaft and lead body may be delivered using a delivery catheter. The delivery catheter can be advanced though a small incision to the target tissue site, and the site remotely visualized through the fiber optic scope extending through the lead head aperture. The lead head can be rotated, rotating the helical electrode into the tissue, and the catheter, drive shaft, and fiber optic probe removed.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An implantable medical lead assembly configured for fixing an electrode connected to the lead to tissue in a human body, the lead assembly comprising:
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a) an elongated lead body extending from a proximal lead portion to a distal lead portion, wherein the proximal lead portion is detachably connectable to an implantable medical device and wherein at least the distal lead portion has a first longitudinal, axis and a distal lead portion diameter aligned generally perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis; b) an electrical conductor disposed along at least part of the lead body; c) a lead head comprising an annular lead head sidewall having a sidewall thickness extending from a sidewall outer surface to a sidewall, inner surface surrounding an aperture in the lead head, the lead head aperture extending along a second longitudinal axis from a proximal lead head end to a distal lead head end providing a tissue contact surface, wherein the distal lead portion is connected to the lead head sidewall at an attachment point so that the first longitudinal axis of the distal lead portion is radially offset from the second longitudinal axis of the lead head aperture; and d) an electrode coupled to the lead head, the electrode configured to be fixedly secured to body tissue to conduct electricity from the electrical conductor to the body tissue, e) wherein the distal lead portion is movable at the attachment point to the lead head from a constrained position to an unconstrained position, i) wherein the distal lead portion diameter is substantially equal to or less than the lead head sidewall thickness so that when in the constrained position, the first longitudinal axis of the distal lead portion is disposed at less than about a 30 degree angle with respect to the second longitudinal axis of the lead head aperture to thereby leave the lead head aperture substantially unobstructed by the distal lead portion, and ii) wherein in the unconstrained position, the distal lead portion lays across the lead head aperture to contact the lead head sidewall opposite the attachment point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An implantable medical lead comprising:
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a) an elongated lead body extending from a proximal lead portion to a distal lead portion, wherein the proximal lead portion is detachably connectable to an implantable medical device and wherein at least the distal lead portion has a first longitudinal axis and a distal lead portion diameter aligned generally perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis; b) an electrical conductor disposed along at least part of the lead body; c) a lead head comprising an annular lead head sidewall having a sidewall thickness extending from a sidewall outer surface to a sidewall inner surface surrounding an aperture in the lead head, the lead head aperture extending along a second longitudinal axis from a proximal lead head end to a distal lead head end, wherein the distal lead portion is connected to the lead head sidewall at an attachment point so that the first longitudinal axis of the distal lead portion is radially offset from the second longitudinal axis of the lead head aperture; and d) an electrode coupled to the distal lead head end, the electrode configured to be fixedly secured to body tissue to conduct electricity from the electrical conductor to the body tissue, e) wherein the distal lead portion is movable at the attachment point to the lead head from a constrained position to an unconstrained position, i) wherein the distal lead portion diameter is substantially equal to or less than the lead head sidewall thickness so that when in the constrained position, the first longitudinal axis of the distal lead portion is disposed at less than about a 30 degree angle with respect to the second longitudinal axis of the lead head aperture to thereby leave the lead head aperture substantially unobstructed by the distal lead portion, and ii) wherein in the unconstrained position, the distal lead portion lays across the lead head aperture to contact the lead head sidewall opposite the attachment point.
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Specification