Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
An electrode lead for implant into a heart comprising: a first electrical conductor having a distal end and a proximal end; a first electrode connected to the distal end of said first conductor, said first electrode having an exposed distal tip and a proximal shank; a first insulative sheath covering a portion of said first electrical conductor extending from said proximal end thereof toward said distal end; flexible, insulative joining means having a distal end overlapping said proximal shank of said first electrode to form a first elongated lap joint, a proximal end connected to the distal end of said first insulative sheath to form a second elongated lap joint, and a recessed portion intermediate said first and second lap joints; and foldable anchoring means attached to said joining means in the vicinity of the transition between said first lap joint and said recessed portion, said anchoring means when in a relaxed, unfolded state extending angularly from said joining means and adapted to engage heart tissue upon implant and when folded being received into said recessed portion to minimize the diameter of said electrode lead.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
An electrode lead for implant into a heart comprising: a first electrical conductor having a distal end and a proximal end; a first electrode connected to the distal end of said first conductor, said first electrode having an exposed distal tip and a proximal shank; a first insulative sheath covering a portion of said first electrical conductor extending from said proximal end thereof toward said distal end; flexible, insulative joining means having a distal end overlapping said proximal shank of said first electrode to form a first elongated lap joint, a proximal end connected to the distal end of said first insulative sheath to form a second elongated lap joint, and a recessed portion intermediate said first and second lap joints; and foldable anchoring means attached to said joining means in the vicinity of the transition between said first lap joint and said recessed portion, said anchoring means when in a relaxed, unfolded state extending angularly from said joining means and adapted to engage heart tissue upon implant and when folded being received into said recessed portion to minimize the diameter of said electrode lead.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 1 wherein said anchoring means when folded lie substantially flush with the exterior surface of said first and second lap joints.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 1 wherein said anchoring means includes a plurality of non-conductive resilient tines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said second lap joint is formed by the proximal end of said joining means overlapping the distal end of said first insulative sheath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said second lap joint is formed by the distal end of said first insulative sheath overlapping the proximal end of said joining means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said second lap joint is formed by means of a lap joint member which overlaps both the proximal end of said joining means and the distal end of said first insulative sheath.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said anchoring means and said joining means are molded integrally.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said anchoring means and said joining means are made of silicone elastomer material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said anchoring means and said joining means are made of polyurethane material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said first insulative sheath is made of silicone elastomer material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said first insulative sheath is made of polyurethane material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said distal tip of said first electrode, said first lap joint, and said folded anchoring means are all of substantially equal outside diameter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 1, 2, or 3 which further includes a second electrical conductor electrically insulated from said first electrical conductor, a second insulative sheath covering said second electrical conductor, and a second electrode connected to the distal end of said second electrical conductor, said second electrode being positioned proximally to said second lap joint.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 13 in which said second electrode is adjacent to the proximal end of said second lap joint.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 14 wherein said second insulative sheath, said second electrode, said second lap joint, said folded anchoring means, and said first lap joint are all of substantially equal outside diameter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 14 wherein said second insulative sheath, said second electrode, said second lap joint, said folded anchoring means, and said first lap joint are adapted to present a substantially smooth and continuous external surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
67 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 6 further including a second electrical conductor electrically insulated from said first electrical conductor, a second insulative sheath covering said second electrical conductor, and a second electrode connected to the distal end of said second electrical conductor, said second electrode being positioned proximally to said second lap joint, said lap joint member being extended proximally to abut said second electrode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 17 in which said second insulative sheath, said second electrode, said lap joint member, said folded anchoring means, and said first lap joint are all of substantially equal outside diameter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
An electrode lead in accordance with claim 17 in which said second insulative sheath, said second electrode, said lap joint member, said folded anchoring means, and said first lap joint are adapted to present a substantially smooth continuous external surface.