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US4860769A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Implantable defibrillation electrode

Assignee: FOGARTY THOMAS J 770 WELCH RD PALO ALTO CA 94304
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Filing: 1987-11-12
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Granted: 1989-08-29
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Expires: 2007-11-12
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Abstract

Abstract An implantable defibrillation electrode of a shape requiring minimal incision in the body is disclosed. The electrode has a flexible insulated guide and terminates in a preconfigured flexible distal portion with an exposed conductive element. The electrode may be straightened, as for example by insertion of a stylet into the body of the electrode, for ease of insertion into the body.

Inventors

  • 👤 Thomas J. Fogarty
  • 👤 Albert K. Chin
  • 👤 Joe Feehan

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-22 23:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0587

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim 103 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode, comprising: a linear guide of a predetermined elongate non-rectilinear configuration, said guide being resiliently deflectable from the non-rectilinear configuration to a generally rectilinear configuration and having an electrically non-conductive exterior surface and a distal portion; an electrically conductive element carried by and extending over at least part of the length of said guide, at least a portion of said element being on the exterior surface of the guide; guide extension means operatively associated with the guide to selectively: (a) deflect the guide into a generally rectilinear configuration; and (b) relax the guide for return to the predetermined non-rectilinear configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 103 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode, comprising: a linear guide of a predetermined elongate non-rectilinear configuration, said guide being resiliently deflectable from the non-rectilinear configuration to a generally rectilinear configuration and having an electrically non-conductive exterior surface and a distal portion; an electrically conductive element carried by and extending over at least part of the length of said guide, at least a portion of said element being on the exterior surface of the guide; guide extension means operatively associated with the guide to selectively: (a) deflect the guide into a generally rectilinear configuration; and (b) relax the guide for return to the predetermined non-rectilinear configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode according to claim 1 wherein the guide extension means comprises a hollow channel in the guide and a rigid stylet insertable in said channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 35 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode according to claim 1 wherein the guide extension means comprises a catheter of a generally rectilinear configuration having a hollow channel extending therethrough proportioned for snug slidable receipt of the guide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 32 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode according to claim 1 wherein said conductive element is in the form of a helix which winds around and is attached to the exterior surface of the guide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 31 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode according to claim 4 wherein the conductive element is comprised of metal foil which is wound around the exterior surface of the distal portion of the guide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 41 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode according to claim 4 wherein: (a) a helical groove is formed in the surface of the distal portion of the flexible insulated guide; and, (b) the conductive element is comprised of a wire received in the groove.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 44 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode according to claim 6 wherein the wire is comprised of a plurality of filaments which lie parallel to one another in a single plane and the outer surface of the wire is flush with the outer surface of the guide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 33 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode according to claim 1 wherein the conductive element is in the form of a double helix which winds around and is attached to the distal portion of the guide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 48 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode according to claim 1 wherein: the guide is fabricated of an electrically non-conductive material; and the conductive element is received in a channel in the guide and one side of said channel is open and exposes the element to the exterior of the guide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 18 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode according to claim 1 in which the predetermined configuration is that of a spiral.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 19 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode according to claim 1 in which the predetermined configuration is that of a square spiral.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 28 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode according to claim 10 wherein the spiral configuration of the electrode extends into three dimensions so as not to lie entirely in one plane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 21 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode according to claim 12 in which the three dimensional spiral of the electrode forms a conical shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 90 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode, comprising: a linear guide of a predetermined elongate non-rectilinear configuration, said guide being electrically insulative and resiliently deflectable from the non-rectilinear configuration to a generally rectilinear configuration; a conductive element carried by and extending through the interior of at least part of the length of said guide; means for selectively exposing portions of the conductive element to the exterior of the guide comprising a channel along one side of the guide which exposes the conductive element to the exterior of the guide on only said side.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 90 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode, comprising: a linear guide of a predetermined elongate non-rectilinear configuration, said guide being electrically insulative and resiliently deflectable from the non-rectilinear configuration to a generally rectilinear configuration; a conductive element carried by and extending through the interior of at least part of the length of said guide; means for selectively exposing portions of the conductive element to the exterior of the guide comprising a channel along one side of the guide which exposes the conductive element to the exterior of the guide on only said side.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 96 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode, comprising: a linear guide of a predetermined elongate non-rectilinear configuration, said guide being electrically insulative and resiliently deflectable from the non-rectilinear configuration to a generally rectilinear configuration; a conductive element carried by and extending through the interior of at least part of the length of said guide; means for selectively exposing portions of the conductive element to the exterior of the guide; guide extension means incorporated in the guide to selectively: (a) deflect the guide into a generally rectilinear configuration; and (b) relax the guide for return to the predetermined non-rectilinear configuration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 96 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode, comprising: a linear guide of a predetermined elongate non-rectilinear configuration, said guide being electrically insulative and resiliently deflectable from the non-rectilinear configuration to a generally rectilinear configuration; a conductive element carried by and extending through the interior of at least part of the length of said guide; means for selectively exposing portions of the conductive element to the exterior of the guide; guide extension means incorporated in the guide to selectively: (a) deflect the guide into a generally rectilinear configuration; and (b) relax the guide for return to the predetermined non-rectilinear configuration.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 35 words
An implantable defibrillator electrode according to claim 15 wherein the guide extension means comprises a catheter of a generally rectilinear configuration having a hollow channel extending therethrough proportioned for snug slidable receipt of the guide.
Claim 20
Independent Claim 78 words
A method of constructing an implantable defibrillator electrode, comprising the steps of: providing an elongate resilient guide formed into a spiral capable of being resiliently stretched into a generally rectilinear configuration; providing said guide with an electrode secured thereto and extending over at least a portion of the length thereof, said electrode being internally electrically insulated by the guide and exposed externally of the guide; and, providing means to selectively stretch the guide to a generally rectilinear configuration.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 78 words
A method of constructing an implantable defibrillator electrode, comprising the steps of: providing an elongate resilient guide formed into a spiral capable of being resiliently stretched into a generally rectilinear configuration; providing said guide with an electrode secured thereto and extending over at least a portion of the length thereof, said electrode being internally electrically insulated by the guide and exposed externally of the guide; and, providing means to selectively stretch the guide to a generally rectilinear configuration.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the means to selectively stretch the guide is provided by extending a channel through the guide and providing a stylet insertable into the channel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 33 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the means to selectively stretch the guide is provided by a catheter having extending a hollow channel therethrough proportioned for snug slidable receipt of the guide .

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4447239A Cited
US4699147A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-08-28 1993-02-27 1993-08-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-08-28 1997-02-27 1997-08-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-08-28 2001-02-27 2001-08-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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