US5876431A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Small cable endocardial lead with exposed guide tube
Assignee: Intermedics Inc
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Filing: 1997-07-30
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Granted: 1999-03-02
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Expires: 2017-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A lead assembly adapted for endocardial fixation to a human heart is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body that has a proximal end provided with a connector for electrical connection to a cardiac stimulator. The cardiac stimulator may be a pacemaker, a cardioverter/defibrillator, or a sensing instrument. The distal end of the lead body is connected to a tubular electrode housing. The lead body consists of a noncoiled conductor cable surrounded by a coextensive insulating sleeve. In contrast to conventional leads, the lead body of the present invention does not require coiled conductor wires or an internal lumen. Manipulation of the lead body is via an external guide tube. Lead body diameters of 0.25 mm or smaller are possible.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul R. Spehr
- 👤 James E. Machek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/056; A61N1/057; A61N2001/058
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A lead assembly, comprising: a tubular electrode housing having a proximal end, a fixation mechanism, an electrode, and a pair of peripherally spaced longitudinally disposed slots; a lead body having a first end coupled to the proximal end of the tubular electrode housing, a second end, an elongated noncoiled conductor cable, and an insulative sleeve coating the noncoiled conductor cable; a connector having a distal end coupled to the second end of the lead body for coupling to a cardiac stimulator; and an elongated guide tube having a distal end removably engageable with the proximal end of the tubular electrode housing, the guide tube having a pair of peripherally spaced radially projecting keys to cooperatively engage the slots.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A lead assembly, comprising: a tubular electrode housing having a proximal end, a fixation mechanism, an electrode, and a pair of peripherally spaced longitudinally disposed slots; a lead body having a first end coupled to the proximal end of the tubular electrode housing, a second end, an elongated noncoiled conductor cable, and an insulative sleeve coating the noncoiled conductor cable; a connector having a distal end coupled to the second end of the lead body for coupling to a cardiac stimulator; and an elongated guide tube having a distal end removably engageable with the proximal end of the tubular electrode housing, the guide tube having a pair of peripherally spaced radially projecting keys to cooperatively engage the slots.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The lead assembly of claim 1, wherein the lead body has a second noncoiled conductor cable disposed in parallel relation to the first noncoiled conductor cable, the second noncoiled conductor cable having a second electrode couple thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lead assembly of claim 1, wherein the lead body has diameter smaller than about 4.7 French.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lead assembly of claim 1, wherein the fixation mechanism comprises a corkscrew.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lead assembly of claim 1, wherein the fixation mechanism comprises a tine projecting outwardly from the tubular electrode housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lead assembly of claim 1, wherein the guide tube is composed of Nitinol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lead assembly of claim 1, wherein the keys project radially outwardly from the exterior surface of the guide tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lead assembly of claim 1, wherein the keys project radially into the interior of the guide tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
The lead assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubular electrode housing has a lumen extending therethrough and being eccentrically disposed relative to the first end of the conductor cable to enable the tubular electrode housing to slidably engage a removable stylet temporarily implanted to a desired location in advance of the lead assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
152 words
A lead assembly, comprising: a connector for coupling to a cardiac stimulator; a lead body having a first end coupled to the connector, a second end, an elongated noncoiled conductor cable, and an insulative sleeve coating the conductor cable; a tubular electrode housing having a proximal end coupled to the second end of the conductor cable, a fixation mechanism, an electrode, a pair of peripherally spaced longitudinally disposed slots, and a lumen extending through the tubular electrode housing, the lumen being eccentrically disposed relative to the second end of the lead body to enable the tubular electrode housing to slidably engage a stylet temporarily implanted to a desired location in advance of the lead assembly; and an elongated guide tube having a distal end removably engageable with the proximal end of the tubular electrode housing, the guide tube having a pair of peripherally spaced radially projecting keys to cooperatively engage the slots.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
152 words
A lead assembly, comprising: a connector for coupling to a cardiac stimulator; a lead body having a first end coupled to the connector, a second end, an elongated noncoiled conductor cable, and an insulative sleeve coating the conductor cable; a tubular electrode housing having a proximal end coupled to the second end of the conductor cable, a fixation mechanism, an electrode, a pair of peripherally spaced longitudinally disposed slots, and a lumen extending through the tubular electrode housing, the lumen being eccentrically disposed relative to the second end of the lead body to enable the tubular electrode housing to slidably engage a stylet temporarily implanted to a desired location in advance of the lead assembly; and an elongated guide tube having a distal end removably engageable with the proximal end of the tubular electrode housing, the guide tube having a pair of peripherally spaced radially projecting keys to cooperatively engage the slots.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The lead assembly of claim 10, wherein the lead body has a second noncoiled conductor cable disposed in parallel relation to the first noncoiled conductor cable, the second noncoiled conductor cable having a second electrode couple thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lead assembly of claim 10, wherein the lead body has a diameter smaller than about 4.7 French.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lead assembly of claim 10, wherein the fixation mechanism comprises a corkscrew.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lead assembly of claim 10, wherein the fixation mechanism comprises a tine projecting outwardly from the tubular electrode housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lead assembly of claim 10, wherein the keys project radially outwardly from the exterior surface of the guide tube.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lead assembly of claim 10, wherein the keys project radially into the interior of the guide tube.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lead assembly of claim 10, wherein the guide tube is composed of Nitinol.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
166 words
A lead assembly, comprising: a connector for coupling to a cardiac stimulator; a lead body having a first end coupled to the connector, a second end, an elongated noncoiled conductor cable, and an insulative sleeve coating the conductor cable, the lead body having a diameter smaller than about 4.7 French; a tubular electrode housing having a proximal end coupled to the second end of the conductor cable, a fixation mechanism, an electrode, a pair of peripherally spaced slots, and a lumen extending through the tubular electrode housing, the lumen being eccentrically disposed relative to the second end of the lead body to enable the tubular electrode housing to slidably engage a stylet temporarily implanted to a desired location in advance of the lead assembly ; and an elongated guide tube composed of Nitinol and having a distal end removably engageable with the proximal end of the tubular electrode housing, the guide tube having a pair of peripherally spaced radially projecting keys to cooperatively engage the slots.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
166 words
A lead assembly, comprising: a connector for coupling to a cardiac stimulator; a lead body having a first end coupled to the connector, a second end, an elongated noncoiled conductor cable, and an insulative sleeve coating the conductor cable, the lead body having a diameter smaller than about 4.7 French; a tubular electrode housing having a proximal end coupled to the second end of the conductor cable, a fixation mechanism, an electrode, a pair of peripherally spaced slots, and a lumen extending through the tubular electrode housing, the lumen being eccentrically disposed relative to the second end of the lead body to enable the tubular electrode housing to slidably engage a stylet temporarily implanted to a desired location in advance of the lead assembly ; and an elongated guide tube composed of Nitinol and having a distal end removably engageable with the proximal end of the tubular electrode housing, the guide tube having a pair of peripherally spaced radially projecting keys to cooperatively engage the slots.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The lead assembly of claim 18, wherein the lead body has a second noncoiled conductor cable disposed in parallel relation to the first noncoiled conductor cable, the second noncoiled conductor cable having a second electrode couple thereto.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lead assembly of claim 18, wherein the fixation mechanism comprises a corkscrew.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lead assembly of claim 18, wherein the fixation mechanism comprises a tine projecting outwardly from the tubular electrode housing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lead assembly of claim 18, wherein the keys project radially outwardly from the exterior surface of the guide tube.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lead assembly of claim 18, wherein the keys project radially into the interior of the guide tube.
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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) | 2002-03-01 | 2002-08-31 | 2003-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-01 | 2006-08-31 | 2007-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-01 | 2010-08-31 | 2011-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |