US3978865A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Implantable pacemaker and electrode member therefor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-01-22
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Granted: 1976-09-07
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Expires: 1995-01-22
Abstract
Abstract An electrode member insertable from without through the epicardium into the heart muscle, as part of an implantable pacemaker, comprises a holder of dielectric elastic material including a tubular stem terminating in an enlarged resilient pad having the shape of a platform. One major surface of the platform pivotally supports a metallic hook which is swivelable about an axis perpendicular to that surface and is electrically connected to a conductor extending within the stem to a generator of electric pulses. Upon insertion of the hook from the outside through the epicardium into the heart muscle by a tool gripping that hook, release of the hook allows the elastic pad to expand against the outer heart surface to anchor the electrode member in position.
Inventors
- 👤 Hector Osvaldo Trabucco
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0587
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A catheter-type electrode member for an implantable pacemaker, insertable from without through the epicardium into the heart muscle for cardiac stimulation, comprising: a holder of dielectric material including a stem and an enlarged elastic pad having a substantially flat major surface; and conductor means connectable to an external source of electric pulses, said conductor means extending through said stem into said pad and forming therein a helically coiled portion projecting outwardly from said major surface, said portion terminating therebeyond in an arcuately curved electrically conductive hook of generally semicircular shape lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said major surface and having a tip pointing back toward said major surface for holding said pad in a sutureless manner onto the heart surface upon penetrating the epicardium, with exertion of resilient pressure by said pad upon the heart.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A catheter-type electrode member for an implantable pacemaker, insertable from without through the epicardium into the heart muscle for cardiac stimulation, comprising: a holder of dielectric material including a stem and an enlarged elastic pad having a substantially flat major surface; and conductor means connectable to an external source of electric pulses, said conductor means extending through said stem into said pad and forming therein a helically coiled portion projecting outwardly from said major surface, said portion terminating therebeyond in an arcuately curved electrically conductive hook of generally semicircular shape lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said major surface and having a tip pointing back toward said major surface for holding said pad in a sutureless manner onto the heart surface upon penetrating the epicardium, with exertion of resilient pressure by said pad upon the heart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrode member as defined in claim 1 wherein said stem is tubular and merges integrally into said pad.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrode member as defined in claim 2 wherein said pad is platform-shaped and has a thickness substantially equaling the outer diameter of said stem.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrode member as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductor means comprises a single wire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
An electrode member as defined in claim 4 wherein said helically coiled portion is curved in said pad about a line perpendicular to said major surface and has an extremity on an axis parallel to said line, said hook being rigid with said extremity and swivelable about said axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrode member as defined in claim 5 wherein said hook is integral with said wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrode member as defined in claim 5 wherein said hook has a hollow shank receiving said extremity with a frictional fit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode member as defined in claim 5 wherein said hook has a shank embraced by terminal turns of said helically coiled portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
139 words
In an implantable pacemaker for cardiac stimulation, in combination, a generator of electric pulses and a catheter-type electrode insertable from without through the epicardium into the heart muscle for cardiac stimulation, said electrode comprising: a holder of dielectric material including a stem and an enlarged elastic pad having a substantially flat major surface; and conductor means connectable to said generator, said conductor means extending through said stem into said pad and forming therein a helically coiled portion projecting outwardly from said major surface, said portion terminating beyond said major surface in an arcuately curved electrically conductive hook of generally semicircular shape lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said major surface and having a tip pointing back toward said major surface for holding said pad in a sutureless manner onto the heart surface by said pad upon the heart.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
139 words
In an implantable pacemaker for cardiac stimulation, in combination, a generator of electric pulses and a catheter-type electrode insertable from without through the epicardium into the heart muscle for cardiac stimulation, said electrode comprising: a holder of dielectric material including a stem and an enlarged elastic pad having a substantially flat major surface; and conductor means connectable to said generator, said conductor means extending through said stem into said pad and forming therein a helically coiled portion projecting outwardly from said major surface, said portion terminating beyond said major surface in an arcuately curved electrically conductive hook of generally semicircular shape lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said major surface and having a tip pointing back toward said major surface for holding said pad in a sutureless manner onto the heart surface by said pad upon the heart.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination defined in claim 9 wherein said stem is tubular and merges integrally into said pad.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination defined in claim 10 wherein the thickness of said pad substantially equals the outer diameter of said stem.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination defined in claim 9 wherein said conductor means comprises a single wire.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination defined in claim 12 wherein said helically coiled portion is curved in said pad about a line perpendicular to said major surface and has an extremity on an axis parallel to said line, said hook being rigid with said extremity and swivelable about said axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination defined in claim 13 wherein said hook is integral with said wire.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination defined in claim 13 wherein said hook has a hollow shank receiving said extremity with a frictional fit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination defined in claim 5 wherein said hook has a shank embraced by terminal turns of said helically coiled portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-07 | 1980-03-08 | 1980-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-07 | 1984-03-08 | 1984-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-07 | 1988-03-08 | 1988-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |