The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 24, 1995
Filed:
Jun. 16, 1993
Michael B Sweeney, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Debra S Echt, Nashville, TN (US);
Ventritex, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
An electrode configuration for an automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator system and method for its use are disclosed. The electrode configuration includes a first catheter transvenously positioned with a first electrode near the distal end of the catheter positioned in the right ventricle of a patient's heart. A second catheter carries second and third electrodes with the second electrode positioned in the superior vena cava region and the third electrode positioned in the left innominate vein. The second and third electrodes of the second catheter are connected together. A fourth electrode at the tip of the first catheter functions as a sensing/pacing electrode. A fifth electrode in the form of a subcutaneous patch is also electrically coupled to the second and third electrodes. The electrode arrangement can be positioned without the need for a thoracotomy. With the method of the invention, the automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator senses life-threatening arrhythmic conditions of the heart and issues at least one cardioverting or defibrillating pulse that is applied between the right ventricular electrode and the connected superior vena cava, innominate vein and subcutaneous patch electrodes. The invention provides preferential steering of discharge current through the septum between the right and left ventricles of the heart. The first catheter may also include a pacing tip.