Implantable extravascular electrical stimulation lead having improved sensing and pacing capability

Abstract

Implantable medical electrical leads having electrodes arranged such that a defibrillation coil electrode and a pace / sense electrode(s) are concurrently positioned substantially over the ventricle when implanted are described. The leads include an elongated lead body having a distal portion and a proximal end, a connector at the proximal end of the lead body, a defibrillation electrode located along the distal portion of the lead body, wherein the defibrillation electrode includes a first segment and a second segment proximal to the first segment by a distance, a first electrical conductor extending from the proximal end of the lead body and electrically coupling to the first segment and the second segment of the defibrillation electrode, and at least one pace / sense electrode located between the first segment and the second segment of the defibrillation electrode.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 984,148, filed on Apr. 25, 2014, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present application relates to electrical stimulation leads and, more particularly, electrical stimulation leads with improved sensing and / or pacing capability for use in extravascular applications.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Malignant tachyarrhythmia, for example, ventricular fibrillation (VF), is an uncoordinated contraction of the cardiac muscle of the ventricles in the heart, and is the most commonly identified arrhythmia in cardiac arrest patients. If this arrhythmia continues for more than a few seconds, it may result in cardiogenic shock and cessation of effective blood circulation. As a consequence, sudden cardiac death (SCD) may result in a matter of minutes.[0004]In patients at high risk of ventricular fibrillation, the use of an implantable card...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a new design for an implantable medical electrical lead that allows for improved pacing, sensing, and defibrillation. The lead has a defibrillation electrode and a pace / sense electrode that can be positioned in the same plane of tissue, allowing for better contact with the heart. The lead also has a connector that allows for the simultaneous positioning of both the defibrillation electrode and the pace / sense electrode. This design improves the efficiency and accuracy of cardiac pacing and sensing, and increases the effectiveness of defibrillation therapy.

Problems solved by technology

If this arrhythmia continues for more than a few seconds, it may result in cardiogenic shock and cessation of effective blood circulation.

As a consequence, sudden cardiac death (SCD) may result in a matter of minutes.

In such a configuration, it is not possible to concurrently position both the defibrillation coil electrode and one of the first and second pace / sense electrode(s) substantially over the center the ventricle.

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