Subcutaneous defibrillation electrodes

• US 5,360,442 A
• Filed: 01/04/1993
• Issued: 11/01/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Lang, Douglas J., Swanson, David K., Hahn, Stephen J., Dahl, Roger W., Heil, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHAETZLE, KENNEDY
• Application Number:
  US07/967,361
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 128/784, 128/799, 128/419 D, 128/783, 128/642, 128/798, 128/786, 607/116, 607/115, 607/148, 607/152, 607/129, 607/119
• US Class Current: 607/129
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence

Abstract

Implantable electrodes for defibrillation are formed of pluralities of electrode segments. Each of the segments is relatively long and narrow. The electrode segments can be parallel and spaced apart from one another a distance at least ten times the nominal width, with one end of each segment mounted to a transverse distal portion of an electrically conductive lead coupling the electrode to a defibrillation pulse generator. Alternatively, segments can branch or radiate outwardly from a common junction. In yet another arrangement, electrode segments are portions of a single conductive path at the distal end of a lead from a pulse generator, arranged in either a spiral configuration or a serpentine configuration which can align electrode segments side by side, parallel and spaced apart. The electrode segments can be formed of composite conductors in the form of titanium ribbons or wires with a sputtered outer layer of platinum, or a silver core in a stainless steel tube, with a platinum layer formed onto the tube. The electrodes are highly compliant yet can provide large effective areas for defibrillation, enabling a transthoracic pulsing arrangement of two electrodes on opposite sides of the heart, implanted subcutaneously outside of the thoracic region.

Claims

1. A body implantable tissue stimulating electrode assembly, including:

an elongate, electrically conductive lead having a proximal end region and a distal end region; and

an electrode including a plurality of compliant, electrically conductive electrode segments, each of said segments having a nominal width and a length exceeding the nominal width, said electrode segments having respective and opposite first and second ends and being coupled to the distal end region of the lead for substantially simultaneous reception of tissue stimulating electrical pulses from a pulse generating means at the proximal end region of the lead, said electrode segments being arranged in spaced apart and side-by-side relation such that each of the electrode segments, over most of its length, is spaced apart from each one of the other electrode segments by a distance of at least 1.5 cm, each of the electrode segments being free of electrically insulative material at and along its periphery substantially over its entire length to provide a continuous exposed reactive surface over substantially the entire length and periphery of the electrode segment, said electrode segments when receiving the tissue stimulating pulses cooperating to define an effective electrode area incorporating all of the electrode segments;

electrically conductive means at the respective second ends of the electrode segments for reducing current density.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

each of the electrode segments is uniform in sections as taken perpendicular to said length.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

said means at the respective second ends include one of the following;

respective electrically conductive loops, respective electrically conductive tab enlargements, and respective electrically conductive bodies, each body being secured to its respective one of the second ends.