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:
Aug. 22, 1995
Filed:
Feb. 02, 1994
Kenneth B Stokes, Brooklyn Park, MN (US);
Keith J Proctor, Lino Lakes, MN (US);
Rick D McVenes, Isanti, MN (US);
Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
An implantable lead for establishing electrical contact between a medical device and body tissue, in which an active fixation mechanism secures the lead in place while allowing a distal electrode on the lead to mechanically 'float' with respect to the body tissue. In one embodiment, the active fixation mechanism comprises a curved hook disposed on the lead at a point spaced proximally back from the distal end of the lead. The curved hook defines a helix around at least a portion of the lead's circumference. A hollow introducer needle is slidably disposed on the lead. The hollow needle provided with a longitudinal slit in a distal section of is length, such that the distal section of the needle can be advanced over the distal end of the lead, past the fixation hook, which is received in the longitudinal slit. With the needle slid over the distal end of the lead, the needle is stabbed tangentially into an implant site, bringing the fixation hook proximal to the surface of the body tissue. Then, the needle is twisted (bringing about a twisting of the lead), causing the curved fixation hook to pierce and engage the body tissue, securing the lead in place. Then the needle is withdrawn from the body tissue and removed from the lead. In an alternative embodiment, the lead can be placed by an endocardial approach using a flexible cannula with a longitudinally slotted tip.