Implantable lead and sensor
First Claim
1. An implantable lead and sensor for use with a medical device comprising:
- a first conductor having a proximal end and a distal end;
first insulation means for electrically insulating said first conductor without interruption along its entire length;
a tip electrode electrically connected to the distal end of said first conductor;
a second conductor having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being electrically connected to said tip electrode;
a sensor having first and second terminals to which electrical contact must be made for operation of said sensor, said sensor being electrically inserted in series with said second conductor at a location intermediate the proximal and distal ends of said second conductor, the proximal end of said second conductor being electrically connected to said first sensor terminal, and the distal end of said second conductor being electrically connected to said second sensor terminal; and
second insulation means for electrically insulating said second conductor along its entire length;
said proximal ends of said first and second conductors being adapted for detachable electrical connection with said medical device;
whereby electrical contact is continuously and uninterruptedly maintained with said tip electrode through said first conductor of said lead, thereby assuring impedance stability of said lead in fluid environments; and
furtherwhereby electrical contact may be selectively made with said sensor through the proximal end of said first conductor and the proximal end of said second conductor, the first terminal of said sensor being electrically contacted through the proximal end of said second conductor, and the second terminal of said sensor being electrically contacted through the proximal end of said first conductor by way of an electrical path through said first conductor to said tip electrode and through the distal end of said second conductor to said second sensor terminal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A physiological sensor forms an integral part of an implantable stimulation/sensing lead used with a medical device, such as a pacemaker. The stimulation/sensing lead includes a tip electrode to which a distal end of a first conductor is connected. The sensor is inserted in series with respective portions of a second conductor. A distal end of the second conductor/sensor is connected to the tip electrode. Operation of the stimulation/sensing lead occurs unipolarly through the first conductor only, with a signal return path being provided through the tip electrode and conductive body fluids. The sensor does not form part of the electrical circuit to the tip electrode, and there are no electrical connections or breaks in the insulation along the entire length of the first conductor. Electrical contact with the sensor is achieved during a time window when the stimulation/sensing lead is not being used by applying an appropriate operating signal, and measuring the resultant output signal, at the proximal ends of the first and second leads.
83 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An implantable lead and sensor for use with a medical device comprising:
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a first conductor having a proximal end and a distal end; first insulation means for electrically insulating said first conductor without interruption along its entire length; a tip electrode electrically connected to the distal end of said first conductor; a second conductor having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being electrically connected to said tip electrode; a sensor having first and second terminals to which electrical contact must be made for operation of said sensor, said sensor being electrically inserted in series with said second conductor at a location intermediate the proximal and distal ends of said second conductor, the proximal end of said second conductor being electrically connected to said first sensor terminal, and the distal end of said second conductor being electrically connected to said second sensor terminal; and second insulation means for electrically insulating said second conductor along its entire length; said proximal ends of said first and second conductors being adapted for detachable electrical connection with said medical device; whereby electrical contact is continuously and uninterruptedly maintained with said tip electrode through said first conductor of said lead, thereby assuring impedance stability of said lead in fluid environments; and
furtherwhereby electrical contact may be selectively made with said sensor through the proximal end of said first conductor and the proximal end of said second conductor, the first terminal of said sensor being electrically contacted through the proximal end of said second conductor, and the second terminal of said sensor being electrically contacted through the proximal end of said first conductor by way of an electrical path through said first conductor to said tip electrode and through the distal end of said second conductor to said second sensor terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An implantable lead and sensor combination comprising:
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a first conductor having a proximal end and a distal end; first insulation means for electrically insulating said first conductor without interruption along its entire length; a tip electrode electrically connected to the distal end of said first conductor; a second conductor having a proximal end and a distal end; a third conductor having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being electrically connected to said tip electrode; a sensor having first and second terminals to which electrical contact must be made for operation of said sensor, said sensor being electrically inserted in series with said second and third conductors, the distal end of said second conductor being connected to the first sensor terminal and the proximal end of the third conductor being connected to the second sensor terminal; and second insulation means for electrically insulating said second and third conductors along their entire length; said proximal ends of said first and second conductors being adapted for detachable electrical connection with a medical device; whereby electrical contact is continuously and uninterruptedly maintained with said tip electrode through said first conductor, thereby assuring impedance stability of said first conductor in fluid environments; and
furtherwhereby electrical contact may be selectively made with said sensor through the proximal end of said first conductor and the proximal end of said second conductor, the first terminal of said sensor being electrically contacted through the proximal end of said second conductor, and the second terminal of said sensor being electrically contacted through the proximal end of said first conductor by way of an electrical path through said first conductor to said tip electrode and through said third conductor to said second sensor terminal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of forming an implantable lead having a physiological sensor as an integral part thereof, said sensor having first and second spaced apart terminals to which electrical contact must be made during its operation, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) attaching a first end of a first conductor to a tip electrode, said first conductor having a first length; (b) insulating said first conductor along said first length without interruption; (c) attaching a first end of a second conductor to the first terminal of said sensor, said second conductor having a second length that is less than the first length of the first conductor; (d) insulating said second conductor, including the connection of said second end of said second conductor with said first sensor terminal, along said second length without interruption; (e) attaching a first end of a third conductor to the second terminal of said sensor, and a second end of said third conductor to said tip electrode, said third conductor having a third length, said second and third lengths, plus the spatial separation of said first and second terminals being approximately equal to said first length of said first conductor; (f) insulating said third conductor, including the connection of said first end of said third conductor with said second sensor terminal, along said third length without interruption; and (g) attaching a connector to the first end of said first conductor and the first end of said second conductor, said connector allowing detachable electrical connection to be made to a suitable medical device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification