Body implantable lead

• US 4,711,251 A
• Filed: 03/31/1983
• Issued: 12/08/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Stokes, Kenneth B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US06/480,913
• Time in Patent Office: 1,713 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419 P, 128/784-786, 604/892
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/00 Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents as cosmetic articles, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. wigs, hair pieces, A41G3/00, A41G5/00; artificial nails A45D31/00; dental prostheses A61C13/00; materials for prostheses A61L27/00; artificial hearts A61M60/00; artificial kidneys A61M1/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0024 Solid, semi-solid or solidifying implants, which are implanted or injected in body tissue compositions for intravenous administration, normal injectable solutions or dispersions for, e.g. subcutaneous administration A61K9/0019; brain implants A61K9/0085; (coated) prostheses, catheters or stents A61L
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0208 Subcutaneous access sites for injecting or removing fluids transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247; implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0568 with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart

Abstract

A body implantable lead for the delivery of stimulation energy to a desired body site including a drug dispenser carried by the lead which retains a drug to be dispensed while allowing a dispensing of that drug at least adjacent the desired body stimulation site. The drug may be one which is intended to counter thrombus formation, fibrosis, inflammation or arrhythmias, or any combination thereof, or to accomplish any other localized purpose. The drug may be in liquid form retained in a reservoir carried by the lead with an agency controlling dispensing of the drug. The controlling agency may be a semi-permeable membrane. Alternatively, the reservoir may be formed as an osmotic pump. As a further alternative, the drug may be retained as a coating on a large surface area portion of the lead, or an electrode carried by the lead. In a preferred embodiment, the drug is compounded into a solid material which is carried by the lead while being exposed to body tissues and flesh or fluids at least adjacent the desired stimulation site.

Claims

1. In a body implantable lead for the delivery of stimulation energy to a desired body site of the type having at least one electrode carried by the lead, said electrode being adapted for positioning at least adjacent to said desired body site, the improvement wherein said lead further comprises drug dispensing means carried by said lead and includes means for storing a drug to be dispensed while allowing dispensing of said drug at least adjacent the distal end of said lead to counter undesirable interactions between said lead and the body and wherein said drug is compounded into a solid material, said solid material being carried by said lead adjacent said distal end.

2. The body implantable lead of claim 1 wherein said solid material forms at least a portion of the body of said lead.

3. The body implantable lead of claim 1 wherein said drug is compounded into a solid material, said solid material being carried by said lead at least partially within said tip electrode.