Method and apparatus for fixating a pacing lead of an implantable medical device

Abstract

A method and apparatus for dynamically fixating and removing a lead in a vasculature of a body. At least one segmenting means such as a collar is disposed at a distal end of the lead forming a deployable actuable segment adapted to dynamically assume an engaging and retracted position. In an engaging position, the actuable segment dynamically and varyingly adapts into a shape or shapes to engage a vessel. In a retracted position the shape or shapes collapse thus maintaining the original geometry of the lead in the vasculature. The actuable segment assumes a deployed or retracted position based on the flexural condition of the segment, respectively.

Description

[0001] This invention relates generally to implantable medical devices, and, more particularly, to a fixation mechanism for securing a lead of the implantable medical device within a cardiac vessel of a patient.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART[0002] Since their earliest inception some forty years ago, there has been a significant advancement in body-implantable electronic medical devices. Today, these implantable devices include therapeutic and diagnostic devices, such as pacemakers, cardioverters, defibrillators, neural stimulators, drug administering devices, among others for alleviating the adverse effects of various health ailments. Today's implantable medical devices are also vastly more sophisticated and complex than their predecessors, and are therefore capable of performing considerably more complex tasks for reducing the effects of these health ailments.[0003] The implantable medical device is generally implanted within the patient's body and a lead couples the implantable de...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Today's implantable medical devices are also vastly more sophisticated and complex than their predecessors, and are therefore capable of performing considerably more complex tasks for reducing the effects of these health ailments.

If the electrode residing on the distal end of the pacing lead becomes dislodged after implantation within the cardiac vessel, the electrode may not be able to properly sense the cardiac activity of the patient and deliver the electrical pulsing stimuli to the desired area of the patient's heart.

If the electrode becomes dislodged from the desired location within the patient's cardiac vessel, a significant amount of time and expense may occur to have the dislodged electrode replanted within the desired site of the cardiac vessel.

Moreover, upon dislodgment of the electrode, the patient may be subjected to serious health risks as a result of the electrode not being able to properly sense cardiac activity of the patient and / or deliver a proper therapy to the desired site within the patient's heart.

Images