Remote lead implant testing

• US 9,420,962 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2008
• Issued: 08/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Sommer, John L., Eggen, Michael D., DuPay, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Koharski, Christopher D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bays, Pamela M
• Application Number:
  US12/112,102
• Publication Number:
  US 20090276003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,037 Days
• Field of Search: 607/30, 607/32, 607/37, 607/115, 607/116, 607/9
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/063 Devices specially adapted for delivering implantable medical measuring apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0538 invasively, e.g. using a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/283 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3706 Pacemaker parameters stimulation threshold A61N1/371

Abstract

A lead coupling device adapted for coupling to a lead and methods for using the coupling devices are provided. The coupling device includes a housing assembly having a proximal opening and a distal opening. The coupling device also has a lead receiving channel that is disposed between the two openings to receive a lead therethrough. Various electronics components may also included in the coupling device that enable operations such as sensing, delivery of electrical energy and wireless communication between the coupling device and an external device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

inserting a medical lead within a lead coupling device located within a sterile field;

inserting a lead guiding tool through a distal end of the lead coupling device and into the medical lead; and

generating pacing pulses within the lead coupling device for transmission via the lead; and

only after the above steps, providing a physical coupling between the lead and an implantable medical device .

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing a physiological signal through the lead with the lead coupling device.

3. The method claim 2, further comprising processing the sensed signal to derive an indication of the medium surrounding an electrode on the lead.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising displaying the processed signal on a display disposed on the lead coupling device.