Patent US5507779A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5507779A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cardiac insulation for defibrillation
Assignee: Ventritex Inc
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Filing: 1994-04-12
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Granted: 1996-04-16
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Expires: 2014-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A defibrillation insulating device insulates the heart from the body. This forces current to flow through the heart without passing through surrounding tissues, thus increasing the current density throughout the heart, to depolarize the majority of the cardiac tissue with a minimum of energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter A. Altman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/38; A61N1/39; A61N1/3918; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/08; A61B2090/0815; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
An implantable epicardial cardiac device for directing defibrillation electrical energy to a patient's heart consisting of electrical insulation which is permanently implantable to shield the body of said patient from at least a portion of said defibrillation electrical energy, wherein said insulation includes an outer edge and an aperture .apart from said outer edge, wherein some of said defibrillation electrical energy can pass from said patient's heart, through said aperture, to said patient's body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
An implantable epicardial cardiac device for directing defibrillation electrical energy to a patient's heart consisting of electrical insulation which is permanently implantable to shield the body of said patient from at least a portion of said defibrillation electrical energy, wherein said insulation includes an outer edge and an aperture .apart from said outer edge, wherein some of said defibrillation electrical energy can pass from said patient's heart, through said aperture, to said patient's body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said aperture has a width of between about two and five centimeters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said aperture is positioned on said device such that said aperture is eccentric with respect to said outer edge of said insulation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said insulation includes a second aperture, whereby defibrillation energy applied from an external defibrillator to the patient can pass transthoracically to the patient's heart.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said insulation is manufactured larger than intended for implant and comprises a material that can be trimmed by a physician during implant to fit said patient's heart for optimizing said shielding of said patient's body from said defibrillation electrical energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said insulation is nonplanar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said insulation comprises an elastomeric material which is sufficiently compliant to stretch and contract with heart motion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said insulation comprises silicone rubber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said insulation comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 9, wherein said insulation comprises expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said insulation comprises a mesh of woven electrically insulating material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
An implantable epicardial cardiac device for directing defibrillation electrical energy to a patient's heart consisting of electrical insulation for implantation into the pericardial space of said patient's heart to shield said patient's body from at least a portion of said defibrillation electrical energy, wherein said insulation comprises a dispersion of silicone rubber particles in collagen glue.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
An implantable epicardial cardiac device for directing defibrillation electrical energy to a patient's heart consisting of electrical insulation for implantation into the pericardial space of said patient's heart to shield said patient's body from at least a portion of said defibrillation electrical energy, wherein said insulation comprises a dispersion of silicone rubber particles in collagen glue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
An implantable epicardial cardiac device for directing defibrillation electrical energy to a patient's heart consisting of electrical insulation for implantation into the pericardial space of said patient's heart to shield said patient's body from at least a portion of said defibrillation electrical energy, wherein said insulation comprises a dispersion of polytetrafluoroethylene particles in collagen glue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
An implantable epicardial cardiac device for directing defibrillation electrical energy to a patient's heart consisting of electrical insulation for implantation into the pericardial space of said patient's heart to shield said patient's body from at least a portion of said defibrillation electrical energy, wherein said insulation comprises a dispersion of polytetrafluoroethylene particles in collagen glue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
An implantable epicardial cardiac device for directing defibrillation electrical energy to a patient's heart consisting of electrical insulation for implantation into the pericardial space of said patient's heart to shield said patient's body from at least a portion of said defibrillation electrical energy, wherein said insulation comprises a dispersion of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene particles in collagen glue.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
An implantable epicardial cardiac device for directing defibrillation electrical energy to a patient's heart consisting of electrical insulation for implantation into the pericardial space of said patient's heart to shield said patient's body from at least a portion of said defibrillation electrical energy, wherein said insulation comprises a dispersion of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene particles in collagen glue.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
An implantable epicardial cardiac device for directing defibrillation electrical energy to a patient's heart consisting of electrical insulation for implantation into the pericardial space of said patient's heart to shield said patient's body from at least a portion of said defibrillation electrical energy, wherein said insulation comprises: a mesh substrate; and collagen glue at least partially surrounding said mesh substrate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
An implantable epicardial cardiac device for directing defibrillation electrical energy to a patient's heart consisting of electrical insulation for implantation into the pericardial space of said patient's heart to shield said patient's body from at least a portion of said defibrillation electrical energy, wherein said insulation comprises: a mesh substrate; and collagen glue at least partially surrounding said mesh substrate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
A cardiac stimulation system kit, including: an implantable pulse generator for generating defibrillation electrical energy; at least one implantable defibrillation lead; and an implantable device consisting of insulation having a dielectric strength sufficient to shield the body from at least a portion of said defibrillation electrical energy.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
A cardiac stimulation system kit, including: an implantable pulse generator for generating defibrillation electrical energy; at least one implantable defibrillation lead; and an implantable device consisting of insulation having a dielectric strength sufficient to shield the body from at least a portion of said defibrillation electrical energy.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cardiac stimulation system kit of claim 16, wherein said at least one implantable defibrillation lead includes an endocardial fight ventricular defibrillation lead.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cardiac stimulation system kit of claim 16, wherein said at least one defibrillation lead includes a superior vena cava defibrillation lead.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cardiac stimulation system kit of claim 16, wherein said at least one defibrillation lead includes an epicardial defibrillation lead.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cardiac stimulation system kit of claim 16, wherein said at least one defibrillation lead includes a subcutaneous defibrillation lead and a second lead located proximate to the patient's heart.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
86 words
A cardiac stimulation system kit including: an implantable pulse generator for generating defibrillation electrical energy; a first implantable subcutaneous defibrillation lead; a second implantable defibrillation lead for placement proximate a patient's heart; and an implantable insulative device consisting of insulation having a dielectric strength sufficient to shield a patient's body from at least a portion of said defibrillation electrical energy; wherein said insulative device contains an aperture, said aperture allowing current flow between said subcutaneous defibrillation lead and said second lead located proximate said patient's heart.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
86 words
A cardiac stimulation system kit including: an implantable pulse generator for generating defibrillation electrical energy; a first implantable subcutaneous defibrillation lead; a second implantable defibrillation lead for placement proximate a patient's heart; and an implantable insulative device consisting of insulation having a dielectric strength sufficient to shield a patient's body from at least a portion of said defibrillation electrical energy; wherein said insulative device contains an aperture, said aperture allowing current flow between said subcutaneous defibrillation lead and said second lead located proximate said patient's heart.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of implanting an implantable defibrillation system in a patient comprising the steps of: (a) providing a device consisting of insulation; (b) positioning said insulation around a portion of the patient's heart; (c) positioning at least two electrodes in or near the patient's heart; (d) electrically coupling said electrodes to an implantable defibrillation pulse generator; and (e) implanting said implantable defibrillation pulse generator within the patient.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of implanting an implantable defibrillation system in a patient comprising the steps of: (a) providing a device consisting of insulation; (b) positioning said insulation around a portion of the patient's heart; (c) positioning at least two electrodes in or near the patient's heart; (d) electrically coupling said electrodes to an implantable defibrillation pulse generator; and (e) implanting said implantable defibrillation pulse generator within the patient.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of implanting defibrillation electrodes in a patient comprising the steps of: (a) providing a device consisting of insulation; (b) positioning said insulation around a portion of the patient's heart; (c) positioning at least two electrodes in or near the patient's heart; and (d) trimming said insulation.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of implanting defibrillation electrodes in a patient comprising the steps of: (a) providing a device consisting of insulation; (b) positioning said insulation around a portion of the patient's heart; (c) positioning at least two electrodes in or near the patient's heart; and (d) trimming said insulation.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of implanting defibrillation electrodes in a patient comprising the steps of: (a) providing a device consisting of injectable insulating material; (b) positioning said insulating material around a portion of the patient's heart by injecting said insulating material into the patient's pericardial space; and (c) positioning at least two electrodes in or near the patient's heart.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of implanting defibrillation electrodes in a patient comprising the steps of: (a) providing a device consisting of injectable insulating material; (b) positioning said insulating material around a portion of the patient's heart by injecting said insulating material into the patient's pericardial space; and (c) positioning at least two electrodes in or near the patient's heart.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of implanting defibrillation electrodes in a patient comprising the steps of: (a) injecting uncured material into the patient's pericardial space; (b) allowing said material to cure into a compliant, solid, insulating form; and (c) positioning at least two electrodes in or near the patient's heart.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of implanting defibrillation electrodes in a patient comprising the steps of: (a) injecting uncured material into the patient's pericardial space; (b) allowing said material to cure into a compliant, solid, insulating form; and (c) positioning at least two electrodes in or near the patient's heart.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-16 | 1999-10-16 | 2000-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-10-16 | 2004-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-16 | 2007-10-16 | 2008-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |