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:
Jun. 21, 2005
Filed:
Apr. 27, 2001
Nicolaas M. Lokhoff, He Kerkrade, NL;
David L. Thompson, Andover, MN (US);
Nicolaas M. Lokhoff, He Kerkrade, NL;
David L. Thompson, Andover, MN (US);
Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A transvenous implantable medical device adapted for implantation in a body, and which is particularly adapted for use in a vessel such as the coronary sinus or cardiac great vein. The implantable medical device may take the form of a lead or catheter, and includes an extendable distal fixation member such as a helix. In one embodiment, the fixation member is a helix constructed of a shape memory metal or other super-elastic material. Upon deployment, the helix assumes a predetermined helix shape larger than the diameter of the lead body diameter. The helix functions to wedge or fix the lead within the vessel in a manner that does not impede the flow of blood through the vessel. The helix may be retracted for ease of repositioning and/or removal. In one embodiment of the invention, the fixation member may be advanced using a stiffening member such as a stylet. In another embodiment, the helix is coupled to a coiled conductor such that rotation of the conductor extends or retracts the helix. According to yet another aspect of the invention, a helix lumen including a flexible fluid-tight seal may be utilized to house the helix when it is in the retracted position.