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US5954761A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Implantable endocardial lead assembly having a stent

Assignee: Intermedics Inc
•
Filing: 1997-03-25
•
Granted: 1999-09-21
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Expires: 2017-03-25
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Abstract

Abstract Various endocardial lead assemblies are disclosed that may be particularly useful for placement within the coronary sinus. The lead assemblies may have open ends or closed ends. Lead assemblies having closed ends may be implanted using conventional implantation procedures. Lead assemblies have open ends may be implanted by first locating a stylet within the patient's body and, then, inserting the lead into the patient's body along the stylet. Each disclosed lead assembly uses one or more stents which expand to contact the inner surface of a body vessel once the lead has been properly positioned. Thus, the stents fix the lead at the desired location. Additionally, the stents may be used as electrodes for pacing and/or sensing.

Inventors

  • 👤 James E. Machek
  • 👤 Paul R. Spehr

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 19:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/056; A61N1/057; A61N1/0563; A61N2001/0585

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim 33 words
A lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, comprising: a lead having a conductor disposed therein; and a stent being coupled to said conductor and partially surrounding a portion of said lead.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 33 words
A lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, comprising: a lead having a conductor disposed therein; and a stent being coupled to said conductor and partially surrounding a portion of said lead.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: means for controllably expanding said stent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 33 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means comprises: a sheath being disposed about said stent, said stent expanding in response to removal of said sheath from said stent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 37 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lead comprises a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said stent being coupled to said conductor at said distal end portion of said lead.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lead comprises a flexible member that houses said conductor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 49 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said flexible member comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein said flexible member further comprises a lumen extending from said proximal end portion to said distal end portion, said lumen being sized to accept a stylet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 23 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said lumen extends through said distal end portion to form an opening therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 40 words
A lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, comprising: a lead having a conductor disposed therein; an electrode being coupled to said conductor; and a stent being coupled to said lead. and partially surrounding a portion of said lead.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 40 words
A lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, comprising: a lead having a conductor disposed therein; an electrode being coupled to said conductor; and a stent being coupled to said lead. and partially surrounding a portion of said lead.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 17 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 8, further comprising: means for controllably expanding said stent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 33 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said means comprises: a sheath being disposed about said stent, said stent expanding in response to removal of said sheath from said stent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 37 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said lead comprises a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said stent being coupled to said lead proximate said distal end portion of said lead.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 20 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said lead comprises a flexible member that houses said conductor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 47 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said flexible member comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein said flexible member further comprises a lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end, said lumen being sized to accept a stylet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 22 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 13, wherein said lumen extends through said distal end to form an opening therein.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 17 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said stent is coupled to said conductor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 53 words
A lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, comprising: a lead being adapted to transmit electrical signals; a stent being coupled to said lead and partially surrounding a portion of said lead; and a sheath disposed about said stent, said stent expanding in response to removal of said sheath from said stent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 53 words
A lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, comprising: a lead being adapted to transmit electrical signals; a stent being coupled to said lead and partially surrounding a portion of said lead; and a sheath disposed about said stent, said stent expanding in response to removal of said sheath from said stent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 34 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said lead comprises a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said stent being coupled to said distal end portion of said lead.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 23 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said lead comprises a flexible member of biocompatible material that houses a conductor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 20 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 18, wherein said conductor comprises an electrically insulative coating of biocompatible material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 17 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 18, wherein said stent is coupled to said conductor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 49 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said lead comprises a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and wherein said lead further comprises a lumen extending from said proximal end portion to said distal end portion, said lumen being sized to accept a stylet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 23 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 21, wherein said lumen extends through said distal end portion to form an opening therein.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 116 words
A lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, comprising: an elongated lead having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis; a conductor disposed in said elongated lead and extending from said proximal end portion of said lead to said distal end portion of said lead; and a stent having a longitudinal axis, said stent being disposed relative to said elongated lead with the longitudinal axis of said stent being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongated lead, said stent being comprised of conductive material and being coupled to said conductor, said stent being radially expandable relative to its longitudinal axis and partially surrounding a portion of said lead.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 116 words
A lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, comprising: an elongated lead having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis; a conductor disposed in said elongated lead and extending from said proximal end portion of said lead to said distal end portion of said lead; and a stent having a longitudinal axis, said stent being disposed relative to said elongated lead with the longitudinal axis of said stent being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongated lead, said stent being comprised of conductive material and being coupled to said conductor, said stent being radially expandable relative to its longitudinal axis and partially surrounding a portion of said lead.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 62 words
In a lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, wherein said lead assembly comprises a lead being adapted to transmit electrical signals, the improvement comprising: means for transmitting said electrical signals between said lead and said body vessel and a stent coupled to said lead and partially surrounding a portion of said lead for anchoring said lead within said body vessel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 62 words
In a lead assembly for implantation in a body vessel, wherein said lead assembly comprises a lead being adapted to transmit electrical signals, the improvement comprising: means for transmitting said electrical signals between said lead and said body vessel and a stent coupled to said lead and partially surrounding a portion of said lead for anchoring said lead within said body vessel.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 18 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 24, wherein said stent is partially coated with biocompatible material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 18 words
The lead assembly, as set forth in claim 24, wherein said stent expands to contact said body vessel.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5111811A Cited
US5099838A Cited
US5314430A Cited
US5423772A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2002-09-20 2003-03-22 2003-09-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2006-09-20 2007-03-22 2007-09-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2010-09-20 2011-03-22 2011-09-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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