EP0479435A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Multiple electrode deployable lead
Assignee: Ventritex Inc
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Filing: 1991-09-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-09-09
Abstract
Abstract An implantable defibrillator lead (10) comprises a flexible, conductive lead member (12) having proximal and distal end portions. The distal end portion defines a plurality of separate, curvilinear electrodes (18) which naturally extend laterally outwardly in a curved arrangement from the remainder of the lead (12). However, by desired means, the curvilinear electrodes (18) may be temporarily extended out straight, substantially parallel to the axis of the remainder of said lead member, to facilitate implantation of the lead. This may be preferably accomplished by a flexible sheath (14) that encloses the lead member (12) in longitudinally slidable relation.
Inventors
- 👤 Mary Elizabeth Bush
- 👤 Craig E. Mar
- 👤 Eric S. Fain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/056; A61N1/0587
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An implantable defibrillator lead which comprises: a flexible, conductive lead member having proximal and distal end portions; a sheath enclosing said lead member in longitudinally slidable relation, whereby a distal end portion of said lead member is enclosed in said sheath in a first sliding position, and said distal end portion projects from the distal end of said sheath in a second sliding position, said distal end portion defining a plurality of separate, curvilinear electrodes which straighten to fit into said sheath in the first position, and which deploy laterally outwardly in a curved arrangement from the remainder of said lead in the second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lead of Claim 1 in which said electrodes comprise a coiled metal wire having an axis extending in a curvilinear direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The lead of Claim 2 wherein each electrode is made of coaxial inner and outer coils, the inner coil being for shape memory and mechanical strength and the outer coil for corrosion resistance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lead of Claim 1 in which said curvilinear electrodes comprise coiled wire conductors which are free of a central member extending through said coiled wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lead of Claim 1 in which said separate, curvilinear electrodes each define an arc of substantially a complete loop.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lead of Claim 1 wherein the electrodes extend in different planes to help with fixation and to increase endocardial surface contact when used inside the heart.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The lead of Claim 1 further comprising at least one straight element in the region of the electrodes to be used as an additional electrode element or to provide an adjacent lumen.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
26 words
A method of implanting deployable defibrillator leads intrapericardially, and each lead penetrates the pericardial membrane through a separate, spaced aperture from that of the other lead.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
137 words
An implantable defibrillator lead which comprises: a flexible conductive lead member having proximal and distal ends; a flexible sheath enclosing said lead member in longitudinally slidable relation, whereby a distal end portion of said lead member is enclosed in said sheath in a first sliding position, and said distal end portion projects from the distal end of said sheath in a second sliding position, said distal end portion defining a plurality of separate, curvilinear electrodes which straighten to fit into said sheath in the first position, and which extend laterally outwardly in a curved arrangement from the remainder of said lead in the second position, said electrodes each comprising a coiled metal wire, having a free outer end and free of a central member extending through said coiled wire, having an axis extending in said curvilinear direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The lead of Claim 9 in which at least a pair of said separate, curvilinear electrodes define arcs that project in the second position outwardly in opposed, transverse directions to avoid tangling of said electrodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lead of Claim 10 in which said separate, curvilinear electrodes each define an arc having an angle of at least about 180° but less than a closed loop.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
152 words
An implantable defibrillator lead which comprises: a flexible, conductive lead member having proximal and distal end portions; said distal end portion defining a plurality of separate, curvilinear electrodes, said lead member defining a central lumen, and said separate, curvilinear electrodes each defining branch lumens that communicate with said central lumen, said electrodes in a natural, unstressed configuration extending laterally outwardly in a curved arrangement from the remainder of said lead; stylet means extending through the lumen of said lead member, said stylet means defining attached, distally positioned branch stylets, said branch stylets extending through the branch lumens of said curvilinear electrodes to straighten said electrodes, whereby said defibrillator lead may be emplaced in a patient while said electrodes are in straightened condition due to the presence of said branch stylets, and said electrode may assume a position approximating said natural, unstressed configuration when the stylet means is removed from the branch lumens.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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