EP0317490A2
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EP
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Method and apparatus for implanting automatic implantable defibrillator
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1988-11-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for implanting an automatic implantable defibrillator (56) without the need for major surgery is disclosed. Preconfigured electrodes (40, 42) are straightened by the use of a stylet or by the surrounding catheter (44, 46) and inserted into the intrapericardial space through catheters. The catheters may be removed or may be left in place and attached to the pericardium or surrounding tissue to hold the electrodes in place.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert K. Chin
- 👤 Thomas J. Fogarty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0587
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for implanting an automatic defibrillator in a human and placing it proximate to the heart, comprising the steps of: passing a first catheter through the pericardial sac and into the intrapericardial space such that it terminates in a position proximate to the heart; inserting a first electrode into the intrapericardial space by sliding it through said first catheter such that the distal end of said first electrode is extended beyond the distal end of said first catheter and is located proximate to the heart; passing a second catheter through the pericardial sac and into the intrapericardial space such that it terminates in a position proximate to the heart; and inserting a second electrode into the intrapericardial space by sliding it through said second catheter such that the distal end of said second electrode is extended beyond the distal end of said second catheter and is located proximate to the heart.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for implanting an automatic defibrillator in a human and placing it proximate to the heart, comprising the steps of: passing a first catheter through the pericardial sac and into the intrapericardial space such that it terminates in a position proximate to the heart; inserting a first electrode into the intrapericardial space by sliding it through said first catheter such that the distal end of said first electrode is extended beyond the distal end of said first catheter and is located proximate to the heart; passing a second catheter through the pericardial sac and into the intrapericardial space such that it terminates in a position proximate to the heart; and inserting a second electrode into the intrapericardial space by sliding it through said second catheter such that the distal end of said second electrode is extended beyond the distal end of said second catheter and is located proximate to the heart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of fastening the proximate ends of the first and second catheters to the pericardium or the surrounding connective tissue such that the catheters and the electrodes are held in a generally fixed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the step of fastening the proximate ends of the first and second catheters to the pericardium or the surrounding connective tissue further comprises the steps of: sliding over said first and second catheters first and second fastening buttons each having a central opening in which is disposed a crimping ring large enough to fit over the respective catheter; attaching said buttons to the pericardium or the surrounding connective tissue; and crimping each of said crimping rings enough to firmly grasp the catheter located within it without severing the electrode located within the catheter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the first electrode is a preconfigured hollow electrode, and further comprising the step of inserting a stylet into the hollow portion of said first electrode prior to insertion into the intrapericardial space to straighten said first electrode during insertion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the second electrode is a preconfigured hollow electrode, and further comprising the step of inserting a stylet into the hollow portion of said second electrode prior to insertion into the intrapericardial space to straighten said second electrode during insertion.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for positioning an electrode in an implantable defibrillator, comprising: a catheter; and a fastening button having a central opening in which is disposed a crimping ring large enough to fit over the catheter such that the catheter is held in fixed relation to the button when the ring is crimped.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for positioning an electrode in an implantable defibrillator, comprising: a catheter; and a fastening button having a central opening in which is disposed a crimping ring large enough to fit over the catheter such that the catheter is held in fixed relation to the button when the ring is crimped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
An electrode apparatus for use with an implantable defibrillator, comprising: a catheter; a fastening button having a central opening in which is disposed a crimping ring large enough to fit over the catheter such that the catheter is held in fixed relation to the button when the ring is crimped; and an electrode having a lead which extends through the catheter such that the conductive portion of the electrode extends beyond the distal end of the catheter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
An electrode apparatus for use with an implantable defibrillator, comprising: a catheter; a fastening button having a central opening in which is disposed a crimping ring large enough to fit over the catheter such that the catheter is held in fixed relation to the button when the ring is crimped; and an electrode having a lead which extends through the catheter such that the conductive portion of the electrode extends beyond the distal end of the catheter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electrode apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising means to fasten said fastening button to the pericardium or surrounding tissue to hold the fastening button and the catheter held in fixed relation thereto in place.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
121 words
A tool for cutting a catheter without severing an electrode contained within the catheter, comprising: a first member having a concave side of an interior diameter such that it receives the catheter within said concave side; a second member receivable over the catheter, having a blade element which is extendable into the concave side of the first member; stop means to limit movement of said first and second members toward one another such that said blade may reach the interior diameter of the catheter but not reach the outside diameter of the electrode; and hinge means for withholding said second member from contact with the catheter until after the concave side of the first member has been positioned on the catheter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
121 words
A tool for cutting a catheter without severing an electrode contained within the catheter, comprising: a first member having a concave side of an interior diameter such that it receives the catheter within said concave side; a second member receivable over the catheter, having a blade element which is extendable into the concave side of the first member; stop means to limit movement of said first and second members toward one another such that said blade may reach the interior diameter of the catheter but not reach the outside diameter of the electrode; and hinge means for withholding said second member from contact with the catheter until after the concave side of the first member has been positioned on the catheter.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for implanting an automatic defibrillator in a human and placing it proximate to the heart, comprising the steps of: inserting a guide wire through the pericardial sac and into the intrapericardial space such that it terminates in a position proximate to the heart; preconfiguring a hollow catheter to fit over the guide wire; inserting said catheter into the intrapericardial space by sliding it over the guide wire such that it terminates in a position proximate to the heart; removing the guide wire from the catheter; inserting an electrode into the intrapericardial space by sliding it through the catheter such that the distal end of said electrode is located proximate to the heart; removing the catheter from the intrapericardial space while leaving said electrode in place.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for implanting an automatic defibrillator in a human and placing it proximate to the heart, comprising the steps of: inserting a guide wire through the pericardial sac and into the intrapericardial space such that it terminates in a position proximate to the heart; preconfiguring a hollow catheter to fit over the guide wire; inserting said catheter into the intrapericardial space by sliding it over the guide wire such that it terminates in a position proximate to the heart; removing the guide wire from the catheter; inserting an electrode into the intrapericardial space by sliding it through the catheter such that the distal end of said electrode is located proximate to the heart; removing the catheter from the intrapericardial space while leaving said electrode in place.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the location of the electrode is posterior to the heart.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the location of the electrode is approximately midway between the anterior and posterior of the heart.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the electrode is a first electrode and further comprising the step of inserting a second electrode into the extrapericardial space proximate to the pericardium and anterior to the heart.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein the electrode is a first electrode and further comprising the step of inserting a second electrode into the extrapericardial space proximate to the pericardium and located approximately midway between the anterior and posterior of the heart on the opposite side of the heart from the first electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the electrode is a first electrode and further comprising the step of inserting a second electrode into the intrapericardial space proximate and anterior to the heart.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein the electrode is a first electrode and further comprising the step of inserting a second electrode into the intrapericardial space proximate to the heart and located approximately midway between the anterior and posterior of the heart on the opposite side of the heart from the first electrode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said electrode consists of a flexible, insulated guide terminating in a flexible distal portion which includes a conductive element and is of a predetermined configuration such that upon the exit of said distal portion from the catheter it assumes said predetermined configuration.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said electrode consists of a flexible insulated guide terminating in a flexible distal portion open on one side forming a channel which exposes a conductive element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 18 wherein said electrode is of a predetermined configuration such that upon the exit of said distal portion from the catheter it assumes said predetermined configuration.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
A forceps tool for inserting cylindrical elements into a body, comprising: a forceps having mounted on it a cylindrical section of which one side is open, forming a channel; a hollow stylet which fits within said cylindrical section, having at its distal end a means for making an incision of circular shape.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
A forceps tool for inserting cylindrical elements into a body, comprising: a forceps having mounted on it a cylindrical section of which one side is open, forming a channel; a hollow stylet which fits within said cylindrical section, having at its distal end a means for making an incision of circular shape.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
A forceps tool according to claim 20 wherein the cylindrical section is positioned to direct the stylet into engagement with human tissue which is grabbed and held by the forceps.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
A forceps tool according to claim 20 wherein the stylet is slidably received within the cylindrical section.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
A forceps tool according to claim 21 wherein the stylet is slidably received within the cylindrical section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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