Subcutaneous only implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and optional pacer
First Claim
1. A subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator comprising:
- (A) an electrically active canister that serves as either an anode or a cathode of the cardioverter-defibrillator wherein the canister houses a source of electrical energy, a capacitor, and operational circuitry that senses the presence of potentially fatal heart rhythms;
(B) a subcutaneous electrode that serves as the opposite electrode from the canister (either the anode or the cathode);
(C) a lead system electrically attaching the electrode to the canister;
(D) means for delivering electrical cardioversion-defibrillation energy when the operational circuitry senses a potentially fatal heart rhythm; and
(E) the absence of a transvenous, intracardic, or epicardial electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is disclosed which has an electrically active canister which houses a source of electrical energy, a capacitor, and operational circuitry that senses the presence of potentially fatal heart rhythms. At least one subcutaneous electrode that serves as the opposite electrode from the canister is attached to the canister via a lead system. Cardioversion-defibrillation energy is delivered when the operational circuitry senses a potentially fatal heart rhythm. There are no transvenous, intracardic, or epicardial electrodes. A method of subcutaneously implanting the cardioverter-defibrillator is also disclosed as well as a kit for conducting the method.
224 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator comprising:
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(A) an electrically active canister that serves as either an anode or a cathode of the cardioverter-defibrillator wherein the canister houses a source of electrical energy, a capacitor, and operational circuitry that senses the presence of potentially fatal heart rhythms;
(B) a subcutaneous electrode that serves as the opposite electrode from the canister (either the anode or the cathode);
(C) a lead system electrically attaching the electrode to the canister;
(D) means for delivering electrical cardioversion-defibrillation energy when the operational circuitry senses a potentially fatal heart rhythm; and
(E) the absence of a transvenous, intracardic, or epicardial electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of implanting a subcutaneous cardioverter-defibrillator in a patient comprising the steps of;
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(1) making only one skin incision in the thoracic region of the patient;
(2) inserting a curved introducer through the skin incision to make a subcutaneous path in the thoracic region such that the path terminates subcutaneously at a location that if a straight line were drawn from the skin incision to the path termination the line would intersect the heart of the patient;
(3) implanting an electrode subcutaneously at the path termination point;
(4) placing an electrically active canister subcutaneously at the skin incision point wherein the canister contains a source of electrical energy and operational circuitry that senses the presence of potentially fatal heart rhythms and has means for delivering electrical cardioversion-defibrillation energy using the canister as either the anode or the cathode and using the electrode as the opposite electrode from the canister, and wherein the canister is electrically connected to the electrode; and
(5) closing the skin incision. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator kit comprising:
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(A) a tray for storing the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator;
(B) an electrically active canister that serves as either an anode or a cathode of the cardioverter-defibrillator wherein the canister houses a source of electrical energy and operational circuitry that senses the presence of potentially fatal heart rhythms stored in the tray;
(C) an electrode that serves as the opposite electrode from the canister (either the anode or the cathode) stored in the tray;
(D) a lead system electrically attaching the electrode to the canister stored in the tray; and
(E) means for delivering electrical cardioversion-defibrillation energy when the operational circuitry senses a potentially fatal heart rhythm stored in the tray. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47)
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Specification