Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Electrical energy applicator
Reexamination Certificate
1997-04-21
2001-09-04
Kamm, William E. (Department: 3737)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Electrical energy applicator
Reexamination Certificate
active
06285910
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to implantable electrical leads generally, and more specifically to cardiac pacing leads.
The conductors in cardiac pacing leads occasionally have a tendency to fracture due to repetitive application of stress to the conductor. One way in which this problem has previously been addressed is by reinforcing the lead body in the area in which stregg ig to be expected, as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,203, issued to Doan et al. This patent is directed primarily toward reinforcing the lead against fracture due to application of compressive forces. Reinforcement of the lead body is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,142, issued to Van Erp et al. It has also been proposed to reinforce the lead body by means of adding a tensile reinforcement as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,996 issued to Bardy et al. In this patent, the lead is provided with a nonconductive tensile member such as a polyester cord, which runs the length of the lead body. Other leads having cords or reinforcements running throughout their length are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,844,292 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,572,344 issued to Bolduc. A third proposal for dealing with the possibility of conductor fracture is to render the portion of the lead body in direct contact with the conductor conductive by addition of carbon or other conductive material, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,033,355, issued to Ammundson.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward providing a lead which has an increased resistance to fracture and has the capability of continued function after fracture of a conductor. The lead is provided with a coiled conductor which may be monofilar or multifilar and which extends along the length of the lead, running from an electrical connector at the proximal end of the lead to an electrode at or near the distal end of the lead. In addition, the lead is provided with a stranded conductor which extends along the coiled conductor from a point along the lead body located proximal to the point of expected breakage of the coiled conductor to a point along the lead body located distal to the point of expected breakage. The proximal and distal ends of the stranded conductor in some embodiments are electrically and mechanically coupled to the coiled conductor, limiting the extensibility of the coiled conductor, rendering the coiled conductor less susceptible to axially applied tensile forces and also providing for continued electrical connection to the electrode, in the event that the coiled conductor fractures intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the stranded conductor. In alternative embodiments, the stranded conductor may be coupled only at its proximal or distal end to the coiled conductor or may simply be located in the same lumen of the lead as the coiled conductor, without mechanical connection to the coiled conductor.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3474791 (1969-10-01), Bentov
patent: 3572344 (1971-03-01), Bolduc
patent: 3844292 (1974-10-01), Bolduc
patent: 4033355 (1977-07-01), Amundson
patent: 4559951 (1985-12-01), Dahl et al.
patent: 5231996 (1993-08-01), Bardy et al.
patent: 5545203 (1996-08-01), Doan
patent: 5591142 (1997-01-01), Van Erp
patent: 3 640 033 (1988-05-01), None
patent: 0 574 358 (1993-12-01), None
patent: 0 672 431 (1995-09-01), None
patent: 0 672 432 (1995-09-01), None
U.S. Patent Application SN 08/843,765, filed Apr. 21, 1997, “Fracture Resistant Medical Electrical Lead”.
Huepenbecker George M.
Verness David D.
Wahlstrom Dale A.
Kamm William E.
Medtronic Inc.
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