Electrode apparatus, systems and methods

• US 20070150009A1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Hastings, Roger, Shapovalov, Vitaly, Sadasiva, Anupama, Kveen, Graig, Lafontaine, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 8,050,774 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/88 the wire-like elements formed as helical or spiral coils forming a net-like or mesh-like structure A61F2/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/828 Means for connecting a plurality of stents allowing flexibility of the whole structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0001 Means for transferring electromagnetic energy to implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0565 Electrode heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0585 Coronary sinus electrodes

Abstract

Apparatus, system, and method that include a pacing apparatus having a stent electrode through which pulses of electrical current can be delivered. Stent electrodes receive energy for generating the electrical current from a variety of sources. Sources include from one or more induction coils that can form at least a portion of the stent. Sources can also include an implantable pulse generator coupled to a lead through which pulses of the electrical current are supplied to the stent electrodes.

Claims

1. A pacing apparatus, comprising:

a stent;

an induction coil structure associated with the stent; and

an electrode associated with the stent, where the electrode discharges electrical current generated with the induction coil structure of the pacing apparatus.

2. The pacing apparatus of claim 1, including a control circuit having an energy storage device associated with the induction coil structure and the electrode, where the energy storage device stores the energy generated with the induction coil and the control circuit causes the energy storage device to discharge stored energy across the electrode upon an occurrence of a predetermined event.

3. The pacing apparatus of claim 1, where the induction coil structure includes an elongate body having a multi-filar construction, each filar being electrically insulated from an adjacent filar.

4. The pacing apparatus of claim 1, where the induction coil structure includes an elongate body having a laminae construction, each lamina being electrically insulated from an adjacent lamina.

5. The pacing apparatus of claim 1, where induction coil structure lies on the stent structure and extends circumferentially along a longitudinal axis of the stent.

6. A pacing apparatus, comprising:

a stent;

an induction coil structure that lies on the stent and extends circumferentially along a longitudinal axis of the stent; and

an electrode associated with the stent, where the electrode discharges electrical current generated with the induction coil structure of the pacing apparatus.

7. The pacing apparatus of claim 6, including a second induction coil associated with the stent and the electrode that partially encircles and extends longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the stent.

8. The pacing apparatus of claim 7, where the induction coil structure and the second induction coil are positioned orthogonally relative each other.

9. The pacing apparatus of claim 8, including a rectifier circuit coupled to the induction coil structure and the second induction coil to rectify current generated with the induction coil structure and the second induction coil.

10. The pacing apparatus of claim 7, including a third induction coil associated with the stent and the electrode that partially encircles and extends longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the stent.

11. The pacing apparatus of claim 10, where the induction coil structure, the second induction coil and the third induction coil are positioned orthogonally relative each other.

12. The pacing apparatus of claim 10, where the second induction coil and the third induction coil are positioned radially relative the longitudinal axis of the stent.

13. The pacing apparatus of claim 10, including a rectifier circuit coupled to the induction coil structure, the second induction coil, and the third induction coil to rectify current generated with the induction coil structure, the second induction coil, and the third induction coil.

14. A pacing apparatus, comprising:

a stent;

an induction coil structure associated with the stent;

an electrode associated with the stent; and

a second electrode associated with the stent, where at least one of the electrode and the second electrode discharges electrical current generated with the induction coil structure of the pacing apparatus.

15. The pacing apparatus of claim 14, including a second electrode associated with the stent, where the second electrode at least partially encircles the stent and the current generated with the induction coil structure of the stent discharges between the electrode and the second electrode.

16. The pacing apparatus of claim 14, where the electrode extends from a first end of the induction coil structure of the stent.

17. The pacing apparatus of claim 16, including a second electrode associated with the stent, where the second electrode extends from a second end opposite the first end of the induction coil structure of the stent.

18. The pacing apparatus of claim 14, including a second stent conductively joined to the stent, where the stent and the second stent generate the electrical energy that is discharged between the stent and the second stent.

19. The pacing apparatus of claim 18, including a first ring electrode that at least partially encircles the stent and a second ring electrode that at least partially encircles the second stent.