摘要:
A lead for use with an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator system is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the lead combines a right ventricular endocardial electrode, a superior vena cava electrode and one or more atrial sensing electrodes on a single catheter lead. The distal end of the lead is transvenously implanted, typically through an incision in the cephalic or subclavian vein. The proximal end of the lead is then tunneled below the fascia to the location of the pulse generator. Ventricular sensing and/or pacing electrode(s) may also be included at the distal end of the combined lead to provide ventricular intracardiac electrogram sensing and bradycardia pacing.
摘要:
A pulse generator having a housing for enclosing and containing pulse generator defibrillation circuitry, particularly adapted to allow for ease of manufacture and use, is disclosed. At least one surface of the housing is electrically conductive and connected to the pulse generator circuitry for delivering defibrillating energy to the heart. The defibrillator is provided with a case activating lead connector cavity having two connector blocks. By plugging in a lead with a pin long enough to contact the only first connector block, the lead becomes active. Using a plug with a longer pin to contact both blocks activates the can. To use neither a lead in the case activating port, nor an active can, a plug with a short or nonconductive pin may be used to plug the cavity without activating the can. By using this system, various electrode configurations can be used as required to provide the optimum system for a given patient. The pulse generator housing is preferably implanted in the left pectoral region proximate the heart with the conductive surface facing the heart. Other implantable electrodes are discharged against the pulse generator housing electrode.
摘要:
A lead system for use with an implantable pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator. The lead system includes a securable pace/sense electrode positioned between the distal tip of the lead and the tricuspid valve. The distal tip of the lead is positioned at the apex of the right ventricle and may or may not be secured there by a second fixation means such as a screw tip or tines. The securable pace/sense electrode allows the defibrillation electrode to be accurately positioned by the patient's surgeon and maintained in intimate contact with the septum wall of the patient's heart, thereby reducing defibrillation thresholds; it provides a sense signal from the region of the His bundle or AV node, which can be used with other electrodes to distinguish between various arrhythmias; and it provides more physiologic pacing leading to greater cardiac output.
摘要:
An implantable defibrillator lead comprises a flexible core onto which is wound helically wound coils to form an electrode. These electrode coils are partially encapsulated by a flexible matrix which holds them in their wrapped position around the core. Due to its coiled coil structure, this electrode provides improved flexibility, and can be used endocardially, intravascularly, epicardially, or subcutaneously. The electrode may function alternately as a defibrillation electrode and as a sensing electrode in a lead with a separate pacing electrode.
摘要:
An implantable defibrillator lead comprises a flexible core onto which is wound helically wound coils to form an electrode. These electrode coils are partially encapsulated by a flexible matrix which holds them in their wrapped position around the core. Due to its coiled coil structure, this electrode provides improved flexibility, and can be used endocardially, intravascularly, epicardially, or subcutaneously. The electrode may function alternately as a defibrillation electrode and as a sensing electrode in a lead with a separate pacing electrode.
摘要:
An implantable cardiac defibrillation lead is provided in which surface modification and deposition techniques are utilized to provide improved electrical and mechanical characteristics. The surface of an electrode can thereby be matched to the heart tissue for biocompatibility while at the same time providing for the appropriate electrical and mechanical characteristics of the electrode material.
摘要:
A continuous sheath of open-celled porous plastic, preferably ePTFE, is used on the outside of an implantable lead, extending along the lead body and the electrodes, in such a way that the lead is isodiametric along its length, and is very strong in tension as is required for lead removal. Because the plastic is open-celled, when the pores are filled with saline, the lead can deliver defibrillation energy through the pores in the plastic. Pore size is chosen to discourage tissue ingrowth while allowing for defibrillation energy delivery through it.
摘要:
A method for defibrillating a patient's heart with an implantable defibrillator having defibrillation synchronized to the fibrillation waveform is disclosed. The defibrillator is used to detect fibrillation in a patient's heart, monitor at least two far-field fibrillation voltages across at least three spaced-apart electrodes while the high voltage capacitors are charging, then deliver a high energy shock during a period of ventricular fibrillation when the absolute values of the peak and trough voltages exceed a threshold based on a desired percentage greater than a running average of the absolute values of the peaks and troughs of the fibrillation voltages monitored during and after capacitor charging. The shock is then delivered synchronous with the next significant cardiac complex. The defibrillator also includes a safety timer so that if the threshold is not reached within a specified safe time limit, the high energy shock will be delivered without further delay.
摘要:
An implantable suture sleeve for use with an implantable lead with a pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator lead. Since irradiation from a radioisotope source is capable of inhibiting the growth of hyperproliferating cells as compared with normal cells, a radioisotope material which is incorporated into the lead can be used to decrease the rate of fibrotic growth. The radioisotope may be located inside the suture sleeve, alloyed into or coated onto the metal from which a wire or coil within the suture sleeve is made, or molded into the rubber of the suture sleeve. Beta emitting radioisotopes having a half-life between 1 and 100 days would be best suited as the radioactive material due to their comparatively short range of action within human tissue, and because of their comparatively short half-life.
摘要:
An improved endocardial lead for electrocardial stimulation includes a sleeve that has a face surface. A conductor fitted into the sleeve, such that a distal end of the conductor passes completely through the sleeve, past the face surface, is electrically and mechanically connected to the face surface of the sleeve by mechanical means, e.g. crimping, and/or through the application of heat, e.g. welding or brazing. An electrode is integrated with the sleeve along an outer sleeve surface. A highly reliable, redundant joint is thereby provided between the sleeve and the conductor that secures the conductor against movement and therefore minimizes stress placed on the conductor, preventing fatigue to the conductor at the joint. A sleeve made in accordance with the present invention provides the narrowest and shortest possible conductor/electrode joint to minimize impact on the patient, while at the same time providing an endocardial lead that has excellent electrical properties, mechanical stability, and ease of manufacture, and that may be made from any desired material to thereby take advantage of new and/or improved materials.