EP0280564A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Implantable defribrillation electrodes
Assignee: Intermedics Inc
•
Filing: 1988-02-26
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2008-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A pair of defibrillation patch electrodes (12,15) is adapted for close fitting placement over the ventricles of the heart, either epicardially or pericardially. One of the patches is contoured to fit over the right ventricle, and the other is contoured to fit over the left ventricle in spaced relationship to the first patch to form a substantially uniform gap (40) between confronting borders of the two. The gap (40) is sufficiently wide to avoid the shunting of current between edges of the patches upon delivery of defibrillation shocks, as well as to accommodate the ventricular septum and the major coronary arteries therein. The size and shape of the patches is such that they encompass most of the ventricular myocardium within and between their borders, to establish a nearly uniform potential gradient field throughout the entire ventricular mass when a defibrillation shock is delivered to the electrodes. Flat versions (50; 60, 62) of the two electrodes provide ease of manufacture.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond E. Ideker
- 👤 Michael J. Fine
- 👤 Ross G. Baker, Jr.
- 👤 Richard V. Calfee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0587
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A pair of defibrillation patch electrodes for placement on the heart to deliver defibrillation shocks thereto, comprising a first patch electrode contoured to fit over the right ventricle of the heart, a second patch electrode contoured to fit over the left ventricle of the heart in spaced relationship to the first patch electrode to form a gap between confronting borders of the two patch electrodes, each of the patch electrodes including means for delivering the defibrillation shocks to the respective electrodes, and each of the patch electrodes being of a size and shape to encompass a substantial portion of the respective ventricular myocardium within the borders of the respective patch electrode, to establish a substantially uniform potential gradient field throughout the entire ventricular mass when a defibrillation shock is delivered to the electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A pair of defibrillation patch electrodes for placement on the heart to deliver defibrillation shocks thereto, comprising a first patch electrode contoured to fit over the right ventricle of the heart, a second patch electrode contoured to fit over the left ventricle of the heart in spaced relationship to the first patch electrode to form a gap between confronting borders of the two patch electrodes, each of the patch electrodes including means for delivering the defibrillation shocks to the respective electrodes, and each of the patch electrodes being of a size and shape to encompass a substantial portion of the respective ventricular myocardium within the borders of the respective patch electrode, to establish a substantially uniform potential gradient field throughout the entire ventricular mass when a defibrillation shock is delivered to the electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The pair of defibrillation patch electrodes of Claim 1, in which the gap between the confronting borders of the two patch electrodes is substantially equidistant throughout the region of the confrontation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The pair of defibrillation patch electrodes of Claim 2, in which the gap between the confronting borders of the two patch electrodes is sufficiently wide to limit shunting of current between the related edges of the electrodes upon delivery of a defibrillation shock to the electrode pair. and secured directly to the epicardium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The pair of defibrillation patch electrodes of Claim 1, in which each of the patch electrodes is of a size and shape to accommodate the ventricular septum in the gap between the confronting borders of the two patch electrodes, to establish preferential current flow through one ventricle across the septum to the free wall of the other ventricle when a defibrillation shock is delivered to the electrodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The pair of defibrillation patch electrodes of Claim 1 in which each of the patch electrodes is of a size and shape to accommodate a substantial portion of each of the right and left coronary arteries in the gap between the confronting borders of the two patch electrodes, to avoid vascular damage as a consequence of the delivery of defibrillation shocks to the electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The pair of defibrillation patch electrodes of Claim 1, in which each of the patch electrodes comprises a conductive mesh, a flexible biocompatible insulative backing covering one side of the mesh, and a resilient biocompatible insulative border layer means about each electrode for suturing the respective electrode to the epicardium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The pair of defibrillation patch electrodes of Claim 1, in which each of the electrodes has at least one hole to permit flow of body fluid therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
140 words
Patch electrodes for use in defibrillating the heart, comprising a first patch electrode for placement over the right ventricle of the heart, a second patch electrode for placement over the left ventricle of the heart in spaced relationship to the first patch electrode to form a gap between confronting borders of the two patch electrodes, and connecting means for application of electrical energy to the respective electrodes to defibrillate the heart, the patch electrodes having respective sizes and shapes to encompass virtually the entire ventricular myocardium therebetween, toward establishing a uniform potential gradient throughout the entire ventricular mass upon application of electrical energy to the electrodes, with the gap between the confronting borders of the patch electrodes being sufficiently wide to avoid shunting of current across those borders and to accommodate at least some of the major coronary arteries therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
140 words
Patch electrodes for use in defibrillating the heart, comprising a first patch electrode for placement over the right ventricle of the heart, a second patch electrode for placement over the left ventricle of the heart in spaced relationship to the first patch electrode to form a gap between confronting borders of the two patch electrodes, and connecting means for application of electrical energy to the respective electrodes to defibrillate the heart, the patch electrodes having respective sizes and shapes to encompass virtually the entire ventricular myocardium therebetween, toward establishing a uniform potential gradient throughout the entire ventricular mass upon application of electrical energy to the electrodes, with the gap between the confronting borders of the patch electrodes being sufficiently wide to avoid shunting of current across those borders and to accommodate at least some of the major coronary arteries therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
Patch electrodes according to Claim 8, in which the gap between the confronting borders of the patch electrodes is substantially equidistant throughout the region of the confrontation when the electrodes are placed over the respective ventricles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
Patch electrodes according to Claim 8, in which the ventricular septum lies within the gap between the confronting borders of the patch electrodes when the electrodes are placed over the respective ventricles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
Patch electrodes according to Claim 8, in which each of the electrodes comprises a conductive mesh, and a flexible biocompatible insulative backing covering one side of the mesh.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
Patch electrodes according to Claim 11, in which each of the electrodes further comprises a resilient biocompatible insulative means about the border of the respective electrode for suturing thereof to either of the epicardium or the pericardium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
Patch electrodes according to Claim 11, in which each of the electrodes has a hole in the insulative backing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
Patch electrodes according to Claim 8, in which each of the electrodes is contoured to closely conform to the shape of the heart in the region of the ventricle over which the respective electrode is to be placed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
Patch electrodes according to Claim 8, in which each of the electrodes is flexible and has a flat configuration with a shape which is adequate, when the electrode is placed over the respective ventricle to encompass a substantial portion of the ventricular myocardium with some deformation of the electrode.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
171 words
The method of making patch electrodes for use in defibrillating the heart, comprising the steps of fashioning a first patch electrode including a conductive layer with an overlying adherent insulative layer, of a size and shape adequate for coverage of the majority of the right ventricle of the heart, conductively fastening an electrical lead to the conductive layer in a limited area at the border thereof free of the insulative layer, fashioning a second patch electrode including a conductive layer with an overlying adherent insulative layer, of a size and shape adequate for coverage of the majority of the left ventricle of the heart, conductively fastening an electrical lead to the conductive layer of the second patch electrode in a limited area at the border thereof free of insulative layer, and further sizing and shaping the first and second patch electrodes such that when they are placed over the respective ventricles a gap is formed between the confronting borders of the two electrodes, substantially equidistant throughout the region of the confrontation.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
171 words
The method of making patch electrodes for use in defibrillating the heart, comprising the steps of fashioning a first patch electrode including a conductive layer with an overlying adherent insulative layer, of a size and shape adequate for coverage of the majority of the right ventricle of the heart, conductively fastening an electrical lead to the conductive layer in a limited area at the border thereof free of the insulative layer, fashioning a second patch electrode including a conductive layer with an overlying adherent insulative layer, of a size and shape adequate for coverage of the majority of the left ventricle of the heart, conductively fastening an electrical lead to the conductive layer of the second patch electrode in a limited area at the border thereof free of insulative layer, and further sizing and shaping the first and second patch electrodes such that when they are placed over the respective ventricles a gap is formed between the confronting borders of the two electrodes, substantially equidistant throughout the region of the confrontation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method according to Claim 16, in which the sizing and shaping of the first and second patch electrodes is further such that the gap is sufficiently wide to limit shunting of current across the confronting borders of the two electrodes when the electrodes are energized with defibrillating shocks when in place over the respective ventricles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method according to Claim 17, in which the sizing and shaping of the first and second patch electrodes is further such that the gap between confronting borders of the two electrodes is sufficiently wide to accommodate the ventricular septum therein, so that preferential current flow will be through one ventricle across the septum to the free wall of the other ventricle when the electrodes are in place over the respective ventricles and defibrillation shocks are delivered thereto.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method according to Claim 18, in which the sizing and shaping of the first and second patch electrodes is further such that the left anterior descending coronary artery and the posterior descending coronary artery will lie in the gap between the confronting borders of the two patch electrodes, to avoid vascular damage from the delivery of defibrillation shocks to the electrodes when in place over the respective ventricles.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to Claim 16, in which the conductive layer is a mesh, and further including the step of forming a hole in the insulative backing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to Claim 16, in which the first and second patch electrodes are fashioned with a contour to conform to the shape of the heart in the region of the respective ventricles over which the electrodes are to be placed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to Claim 16, in which the first and second patch electrodes are flexible and fashioned with a flat configuration and a size and shape such that when placed over the respective ventricles each will encompass a substantial portion of the ventricular myocardium with some deformation of the electrode.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
104 words
An implantable defibrillator, comprising electrical generating means for producing a defibrillating waveform on demand, first and second patch electrode means to be placed over the left and right ventricles of the heart, respectively, and lead means for electrically interconnecting the electrical generating means with the first and second patch electrodes, the two electrodes means forming a gap therebetween when in place over the respective ventricles and otherwise encompassing the ventricular myocardium, for establishing a uniform potential gradient field throughout the entire ventricular mass when the defibrillating waveform is produced by the electrical generating means and delivered to the electrode means via the lead means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
104 words
An implantable defibrillator, comprising electrical generating means for producing a defibrillating waveform on demand, first and second patch electrode means to be placed over the left and right ventricles of the heart, respectively, and lead means for electrically interconnecting the electrical generating means with the first and second patch electrodes, the two electrodes means forming a gap therebetween when in place over the respective ventricles and otherwise encompassing the ventricular myocardium, for establishing a uniform potential gradient field throughout the entire ventricular mass when the defibrillating waveform is produced by the electrical generating means and delivered to the electrode means via the lead means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The implantable defibrillator of Claim 23, in which the gap is substantially uniform throughout the placement of the two electrode means on the ventricles.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The implantable defibrillator of Claim 23, in which the gap between the two electrode means is sufficient to prevent shunting of current therebetween when the two electrode means are in place over the respective ventricles and the defibrillating waveform is delivered thereto.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
62 words
The implantable defibrillator of Claim 25, in which the gap between the two electrode means is further sufficient to accommodate the ventricular septum therein, to establish preferential current flow through one ventricle across the septum to the free wall of the other ventricle, when the two electrode means are in place over the respective ventricles and a defibrillating waveform is delivered thereto.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
The implantable defibrillator of Claim 26, in which the gap between the two electrode means is further sufficient to accommodate the left anterior decending coronary artery and the posterior descending coronary artery therein to avoid vascular damage from the delivery of a defibrillating waveform to the electrode means.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of defibrillating the heart, comprising the steps of: placing a first patch electrode over the right ventricle of the heart, placing a second patch electrode over the left ventricle of the heart in spaced relationship to the first patch electrode to form a uniform gap between confronting borders of the two patch electrodes, while encompassing a substantial portion of the ventricular myocardium between the two patch electrodes, toward establishing a uniform potential gradient field throughout the entire ventricular mass when a defibrillating electrical waveform is applied to the electrodes, and applying a defibrillating electrical waveform to the electrodes.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of defibrillating the heart, comprising the steps of: placing a first patch electrode over the right ventricle of the heart, placing a second patch electrode over the left ventricle of the heart in spaced relationship to the first patch electrode to form a uniform gap between confronting borders of the two patch electrodes, while encompassing a substantial portion of the ventricular myocardium between the two patch electrodes, toward establishing a uniform potential gradient field throughout the entire ventricular mass when a defibrillating electrical waveform is applied to the electrodes, and applying a defibrillating electrical waveform to the electrodes.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of Claim 28, further including making the gap between the confronting borders of the two patch electrodes of sufficient width to prevent shunting of current between the confronting borders during application of the defibrillating waveform.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of Claim 29, further including making the gap between the confronting borders of the patch electrodes of sufficient width to accommodate the ventricular septum therein, to establish preferential current flow through one ventricle across the septum to the free wall of the other ventricle during application of a defibrillating waveform to the electrodes.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of Claim 31, further including making the gap between the confronting borders of the patch electrodes of sufficient width to accommodate the left anterior descending coronary artery and the posterior descending coronary artery therein, to avoid vascular damage from the application of defibrillating waveforms to the electrodes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.