Implantable myocardial stimulation lead with sensors thereon

Details

Inventors: Helland, John R.;
Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc. (Sylmar, CA)
Primary Examiner: Kamm; William E.
Assistant Examiner: Getzow; Scott M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Weinberg; Lisa P.

A myocardial lead is provided with at least one sensor for sensing at least one of heart rate, physiological demand, or arrhythmia. Preferably, the sensor is a piezoelectric crystal, and is designed to flex with the beating of the human heart. Other suitable sensors include accelerometers, hemo-reflectance sensors, and strain gauge sensors. Each sensor is provided on a separate conductive segment of the electrode assembly. The signals can be monitored by appropriate electronics to detect changes in heart rate or arrhythmias of the heart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG.
1 illustrates a multipolar myocardial electrode assembly 10 (i.
e.
, an electrode having multiple appendages wherein each appendage may used separately for sensing or pacing) constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
While a multipolar myocardial electrode is shown, it is for illustrative purposes only, since the present invention could be practiced using any number of appendages.
The assembly 10 includes a proximal end 12 and a distal end 14.
Four conductors 16, 18, 20 and 22, extend between the proximal end 12 and the distal end 14.
The conductors 16, 18, 20 and 22 are terminated at the proximal end 12 by connectors 24, 26, 28 and 30, respectively.
A suitable insulative casing 32 is provided for each of the conductors 16, 18, 20 and 22.
The insulative casing may be constructed using multilumen technology and is well known in the art.
Alternately, the conductors 16, 18, 20, 22 may be individually coated with a thin polymer coating, such as polyimide and coiled in a multifilar fashion, as is also known in the art.
The insulative casing 32 is constructed from a suitable insulative material, such as silicone rubber.
However, any suitable type of insulative medical-grade material, which is biocompatible and biostable, may be used.
The length of the conductors 16, 18, 20 and 22 will be similar to the length of conventional myocardial leads.
The distal end 14 of the assembly 10 includes a center section, or hub section, 34, an insulative backing section 36 and an anchoring section 38.
Preferably, the distal end 14 has a housing 40 which may be configured, as illustrated in FIG.
1, or in a similar configuration.
The housing 40, the insulative backing section 36, and the anchoring section 38 are formed of a suitable insulating material, such as silicone rubber.
However, any suitable type of insulative medical-grade material may be used.
As illustrated in FIG.
2, a positive fixation electrode 42 and a number of conductive appendages 44 (illustrated in FIG

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