Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A lead for connecting a cardiac pacemaker with a wall of a heart, comprising an elongated flexible tubular catheter having a distal end including an electrode engageable with the wall upon implantation of said distal end into the heart, said catheter having a chamber at said distal end and defining an elongated passageway communicating with said chamber; and means for extracting said distal end from the heart, including an elongated stylet having a front end insertable into said chamber through said passageway, and an engageable coupling including a first coupling element provided in said catheter at said chamber and a second coupling element provided on said stylet at said front end and engageable with said first coupling element on insertion of said front end into said chamber, said second coupling element containing memory metal and being deformable in response to temperature changes upon insertion of the front end of said stylet into said chamber to thereby engage said first coupling element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A lead for connecting a cardiac pacemaker with a wall of a heart, comprising an elongated flexible tubular catheter having a distal end including an electrode engageable with the wall upon implantation of said distal end into the heart, said catheter having a chamber at said distal end and defining an elongated passageway communicating with said chamber; and means for extracting said distal end from the heart, including an elongated stylet having a front end insertable into said chamber through said passageway, and an engageable coupling including a first coupling element provided in said catheter at said chamber and a second coupling element provided on said stylet at said front end and engageable with said first coupling element on insertion of said front end into said chamber, said second coupling element containing memory metal and being deformable in response to temperature changes upon insertion of the front end of said stylet into said chamber to thereby engage said first coupling element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lead of claim 1, wherein said catheter has a proximal end and said passageway has an inlet at said proximal end for the front end of said stylet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The lead of claim 1, wherein one of said coupling elements comprises at least one projection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lead of claim 1, wherein said first coupling element includes an annular shoulder in said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lead of claim 1, further comprising means for changing the temperature of said second coupling element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The lead of claim 5, wherein said temperature changing means includes a source of electrical energy and said stylet comprises a conductor which connects said energy source with said second coupling element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The lead of claim 1, wherein said distal end includes a housing which surrounds said chamber and includes a front portion, said electrode being adjacent said front portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The lead of claim 7, wherein said electrode is a tip electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The lead of claim 7, wherein said catheter further includes an elongated tubular section and a sheath which consists, at least in part, of an electrically insulating material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lead of claim 1, wherein said distal end includes a drug dispenser and has at least one outlet for dispensing a drug into the wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The lead of claim 10, wherein said drug dispenser includes a housing which surrounds said chamber and said chamber constitutes a drug storing facility.