Implantable heart stimulator
First Claim
1. An infection control apparatus for an implantable heart stimulator comprising a pulse generator for delivering electric stimulation pulses to a patient'"'"'s heart (21) through a lead (6, 14, 114) connectable to said pulse generator, possibly through a connector top (4, 12,28, 112) on a pulse generator housing (2, 10,20, 110), said pulse generator housing being electrically conductive, characterized in that the exterior surfaces of said possible connector top (4, 12,28, 112) and of a proximal part (8, 16, 116) of the lead (6, 14, 114) are electrically conductive, said proximal part extending to a position which after implantation of the lead is situated between a location beyond the entry into the venous system and the entry into vena cava superior, said generator housing (2, 10, 20, 110) and said electrically conductive surfaces of said proximal lead part and of said possible connector top being adapted to form a first electrode, and in that at least one second counter electrode (19, 31, 122) is adapted to be located outside the subcutaneous pulse generator pocket in which the pulse generator is located after implantation, a current source being provided to supply an electric infection control current between said electrodes.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable heart stimulator, comprises a pulse generator for delivering electric stimulation pulses to a patient'"'"'s heart (21) through a lead (14) connectable to said pulse generator, possibly through a connector top (12) on a of pulse generator housing (10). The pulse generator housing is electrically conductive. IN an infection control apparatus for such a heart stimulator the exterior surfaces of the possible connector top and of a proximal part (16) of the lead are electrically conductive. The proximal lead part extends to a position, which after implantation of the lead is situated between a location beyond the entry to the venous system and the entry into vena cava superior. The generator housing and the electrically conductive surfaces of the proximal lead part and of the possible connector top are adapted to form a first electrode and at least one second counter electrode (19) is adapted to be loacted outside subcutaneous pulse generator pocket in which the pulse generator is located after implantation. A curent source is provided to supply an electric infection control current between the electrodes.
15 Citations
19 Claims
- 1. An infection control apparatus for an implantable heart stimulator comprising a pulse generator for delivering electric stimulation pulses to a patient'"'"'s heart (21) through a lead (6, 14, 114) connectable to said pulse generator, possibly through a connector top (4, 12,28, 112) on a pulse generator housing (2, 10,20, 110), said pulse generator housing being electrically conductive, characterized in that the exterior surfaces of said possible connector top (4, 12,28, 112) and of a proximal part (8, 16, 116) of the lead (6, 14, 114) are electrically conductive, said proximal part extending to a position which after implantation of the lead is situated between a location beyond the entry into the venous system and the entry into vena cava superior, said generator housing (2, 10, 20, 110) and said electrically conductive surfaces of said proximal lead part and of said possible connector top being adapted to form a first electrode, and in that at least one second counter electrode (19, 31, 122) is adapted to be located outside the subcutaneous pulse generator pocket in which the pulse generator is located after implantation, a current source being provided to supply an electric infection control current between said electrodes.
Specification