US3664347A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric heart stimulation method and electrode
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-07-25
•
Granted: 1972-05-23
•
Expires: 1989-07-25
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for electrically stimulating a heart by means of a flexible filament that carries a conductor connected to an electrode which is exposed at the surface of the filament. According to the preferred embodiment, a portion of the filament extends beyond the electrode, thereby forming a flexible tail section that helps to hold the electrode at a desired position within the heart. According to the preferred method aspect of the disclosure, the above-described filament is introduced into a vein in the arm so that it is carried to the heart by the ordinary blood flow through the vein. The tail section of the filament is carried through the heart into a portion of the lungs in order to stabilize the position of the electrode within the heart.
Inventors
- 👤 Dietrich Harmjanz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 17:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for the electric stimulation of a heart comprising: an electrode; a conductor connected to the electrode; and flexible filament means having an outer surface and an end point for carrying the electrode and the conductor solely by blood flow in a vein to the heart, said electrode being exposed at the outer surface and being supported by the flexible filament means at a predetermined distance from the end point such that the electrode is maintained at a predetermined position in the heart solely by ordinary blood flow.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for the electric stimulation of a heart comprising: an electrode; a conductor connected to the electrode; and flexible filament means having an outer surface and an end point for carrying the electrode and the conductor solely by blood flow in a vein to the heart, said electrode being exposed at the outer surface and being supported by the flexible filament means at a predetermined distance from the end point such that the electrode is maintained at a predetermined position in the heart solely by ordinary blood flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined distance is adapted to extend from the right auricle of the heart to the outlet of the artery of the lungs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance is 15 to 30 centimeters long.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible filament means comprises solid polyurethane having a means diameter of about 1 millimeter or less.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flexible core is carried by the flexible filament means adjacent the midline thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the conductor is carried through the flexible filament means between the core and the outer surface of the filament.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the conductor is carried in the flexible filament means midway between the core and the outer surface of the flexible filament means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the conductor comprises a flexible wire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrode comprises a portion of the conductor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 9, and further comprising a second conductor carried on the side of the flexible filament means opposite said conductor, the second conductor being exposed at the outer surface of the flexible filament means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of stimulating a heart by means of a filament having sufficient flexibility to be carried solely by blood flow in a vein to the heart, said filament comprising an electrode exposed at the outer surface of the filament and a conductor connected to the electrode, said method comprising the steps of: guiding the filament into a vein so that the filament is carried through the vein and the electrode is positioned in the heart solely by blood flow; and conducting an electric current through the conductor to the electrode, whereby the heart is stimulated.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of stimulating a heart by means of a filament having sufficient flexibility to be carried solely by blood flow in a vein to the heart, said filament comprising an electrode exposed at the outer surface of the filament and a conductor connected to the electrode, said method comprising the steps of: guiding the filament into a vein so that the filament is carried through the vein and the electrode is positioned in the heart solely by blood flow; and conducting an electric current through the conductor to the electrode, whereby the heart is stimulated.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of electrically stimulating a heart by means of an electrode, said method comprising the steps of: arranging the electrode on a filament that is carried through a vein by ordinary blood flow; guiding the filament and electrode into a vein so thet the electrode is carried through the vein into the heart solely by blood flow in the vein; passing a portion of the filament through the heart and into another blood vessel so that the electrode is maintained at a predetermined position in the heart; generating an electric current; and conducting the electric current thRough the filament to the electrode, whereby the heart is stimulated.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of electrically stimulating a heart by means of an electrode, said method comprising the steps of: arranging the electrode on a filament that is carried through a vein by ordinary blood flow; guiding the filament and electrode into a vein so thet the electrode is carried through the vein into the heart solely by blood flow in the vein; passing a portion of the filament through the heart and into another blood vessel so that the electrode is maintained at a predetermined position in the heart; generating an electric current; and conducting the electric current thRough the filament to the electrode, whereby the heart is stimulated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method, as claimed in claim 12, wherein the portion of the filament passed through the heart is 15 to 30 centimeters long.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |