Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
  • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
  • A61N1/02—Details
  • A61N1/04—Electrodes
  • A61N1/05—Electrodes for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode
  • A61N1/056—Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
  • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
  • A61N1/02—Details
  • A61N1/08—Arrangements or circuits for monitoring, protecting, controlling or indicating
  • A61N2001/083—Monitoring integrity of contacts, e.g. by impedance measurement

Definitions

• This invention relates to a system and method for assessing coupling of a lead to tissue.
• the invention relates to a system and method in which the amount of energy between an electrode and a fixation element on the lead is used to assess the degree of coupling of the lead to tissue.
• electric signals are commonly used to control heart rates and rhythms in order to maintain or restore a regular heart rate or rhythm in patients suffering from bradyarrhythmias, tachyarrhythmias or fibrillation.
• the electrical signals are provided to the heart tissue using electrodes disposed on leads that are fed intravenously from an external device or internally from an implanted pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).
• ICD implantable cardioverter defibrillator
• Leads are generally attached to the heart tissue using a fixating element such a hook, tines, or a helix or screw extending from the lead.
• a fixating element such as a hook, tines, or a helix or screw extending from the lead.
• Proper affixation of the lead to the tissue is important to ensure proper placement of the electrodes. Improperly placed electrodes can reduce the useful life of the device by draining power from the device and can also result in less than optimal diagnosis and/or treatment of a condition.
• fluoroscopic images are two-dimensional projections and blood and myocardium attenuate x-rays similarly. Fluoroscopic imaging also exposes the patient and clinician to radiation
• the inventors herein have recognized a need for a system and method for assessing coupling of a lead to tissue that will minimize and/or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies.
• a system for assessing the coupling of a lead to tissue in accordance with one embodiment of the present teachings includes a lead body including an electrode disposed proximate a distal end of the lead body.
• the lead body further includes a fixation element disposed near the distal end of the lead body.
• the fixation element is configured to anchor the distal end of the lead body in the tissue.
• the system further includes a meter configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of energy between the electrode and the fixation element.
• the system further includes an electronic control unit configured to determine a degree of coupling between the lead and the tissue responsive to the signal.
• a method for assessing the coupling of a lead to tissue in accordance with one embodiment of the present teachings includes the step of generating a signal indicative of an amount of energy between an electrode disposed proximate a distal end of a lead body and a fixation element disposed near the distal end of the lead body, the fixation element configured to anchor the distal end of the lead body in the tissue.
• the method further includes the step of determining a degree of coupling between the lead and the tissue responsive to the signal.
• the above-described system and method are advantageous because they provide a less subjective assessment for assessing the coupling of a lead to tissue.
• the use of the amount of energy between the electrode and fixation element provides a measurable quantity indicative of the relative locations of the electrode and fixation element and the Agent docket no. OK-042701 WO
• the inventive system and method also minimize or eliminate the need for fluoroscopic imaging. As a result, exposure of the patient and clinician to radiation is reduced.
• FIG. 1 is diagrammatic view of a system for assessing coupling of a lead to tissue in accordance with the present teachings.
• FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a portion of the system of Figure 1 at a first time tj .
• FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a portion of the system of Figure 1 at a first time t 2 .
• FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for assessing coupling of a lead to tissue in accordance with one embodiment of the present teachings.
• FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for assessing coupling of a lead to tissue in accordance with another embodiment of the present teachings.
• Fig. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system 10 for assessing the coupling of a lead 12 to tissue 14 in a body in accordance with one embodiment of the present teachings.
• tissue 14 comprises heart or cardiac tissue. It should be understood, however, that the present invention may be used to assess coupling of lead 12 to a variety of body tissues.
• system 10 may include a pulse generator 16, a meter 18 and an electronic control unit 20.
• Lead 12 is provided for examination, diagnosis and/or treatment of internal body tissues such as tissue 14.
• Lead 12 comprises a pacing lead used for controlling heart rhythms. It should be understood, however, that the present invention can be implemented and practiced with a variety of leads.
• Lead 12 may include a connector or interface 22 and a lead body 24 having a proximal end 26 and a distal 28 end (as used herein, “proximal” refers to a direction toward the end of the catheter near the clinician, and “distal” refers to a direction away from the clinician and (generally) inside the body of a patient).
• Lead 12 may also include one or more electrodes 30 and a fixation element 32. Lead 12 may also include other conventional components not illustrated herein such as sensors, additional electrodes, and corresponding conductors or leads.
• Connector 22 provides mechanical and electrical connections for cables, wires, or other electrical conductors 34, 36 extending from pulse generator 16 and meter 18. Connector may also provide fluid connections and additional mechanical and/or electrical connections depending on the application for lead 12. Connector 22 is conventional in the art and is disposed at a proximal end of lead 12.
• Lead body 24 is an elongated, deformable, tubular structure configured for movement with the body (e.g., within the vascular structure). Lead body 24 supports electrodes 30 and fixation element 32 and associated conductors. Lead body 24 may also include additional electronics for signal processing or conditioning. For example, meter 18 may be integrated therein. Lead body 24 may also permit transport, delivery and/or removal of fluids (including irrigation fluids and bodily fluids), medicines and/or surgical tools or instruments. Lead body 24 may be made from biocompatible materials that provide sufficient flexibility and insulation including, for example, silicon and polyurethane. Lead body 24 defines one of more passageways or lumens configured to house and/or transport electrical conductors, fluids or surgical tools.
• Body 24 extends between proximal end 26 where it is connected to connector 22 and distal end 28 which is disposed proximate the target site in tissue 14.
• Body 24 may be introduced into a blood vessel or other structure within the body through a conventional introducer.
• Body 24 may then be steered or guided through the body to a desired location such as tissue 14 with guide wires or other means known in the art.
• Electrodes 30 may be provided for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic purposes including, for example, electrophysiological studies, lead identification and location, pacing, cardiac mapping and ablation.
• electrode 30 comprises a ring electrode disposed at the tip or distal end 28 of lead 12. It should be understood, however, that the number, orientation and purpose of electrodes 30 may vary.
• Fixation element 32 is provided to anchor, or secure the position of, the distal end 28 of lead body 24 in tissue 14.
• Fixation element 32 may be a passive or active fixation element.
• fixation element may comprise one or more tines extending from lead body 24, a hook, or— as shown in Figures 2-3— a helix 38 or screw.
• Fixation element 32 may be made from a conducting metal or metal alloy such as Nitinol or stainless steel.
• Fixation element 32 may provide only an anchoring function or, alternatively, may perform additional functions including use as an electrode.
• helix 38 includes a distal screw portion 40 terminating at a sharpened point configured to permit entry into tissue 14 and a proximal shaft portion 42 from which screw portion 40 extends. Shaft portion 42 of helix 38 may be rotated within lead body 24 to cause longitudinal movement of helix 38 relative to lead body 24 and electrode 30 and entry into tissue 14.
• Pulse generator 16 generates, delivers and controls RF energy used by lead 12.
• Generator 16 is conventional in the art and may comprise one of the pacemakers sold under the trademark "AFFINITY" by St. Jude Medical, Inc. or a conventional cardiac
• ⁇ synchronization therapy (CRT) device sold under the trademark "FRONTIER” by St. Jude Medical, Inc.
• Generator 16 is configured to generate a signal at a predetermined frequency in accordance with one or more user specified parameters (e.g., power, time, etc.) and under the control of various feedback sensing and control circuitry as is know in the art.
• Meter 18 is provided to measure the amount of energy between electrode 30 and fixation element 32 and to generate a signal indicative of the amount of energy in response thereto.
• the amount of energy between the electrode 30 and fixation element 32 represents a capacitance and meter 18 comprises a capacitance meter.
• the amount of energy between the electrode 30 and fixation element 32 represents an inductance and meter 18 comprises an inductance meter.
• the amount of energy between the electrode 30 and fixation element 32 represents a voltage or a current and meter 18 comprises a volt-meter or ammeter (or amp-meter), respectively.
• Meter 18 is conventional in the art and may be integrated into lead 12 or an external element, pulse generator 16 or a microprocessor or circuit forming electronic control unit 20.
• Meter 18 is electrically connected to electrode 30 and fixation element 32 through conductors 44, 46.
• ECU 20 is provided to determine a degree of coupling between lead 12 and tissue 14 responsive to the signal received from meter 18.
• ECU 20 preferably comprises a programmable microprocessor or microcontroller, but may alternatively comprise an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
• ECU 20 may include a central processing unit (CPU) and an input/output (I/O) interface through which ECU 20 may receive a plurality of input signals including signals from meter 18 and generate a plurality of output signals including those used to control generation of electrical signals by electrode 30.
• ECU 20 may be programmed with a computer program (i.e., software) encoded on a computer storage medium for performing one or more of the above functions.
• meter 18 measures the amount of energy between electrode 30 and fixation element 32 as indicated by the voltage or current on conductors 44, 46.
• the amount of energy between electrode 30 and fixation element 32 changes based on a change in position of fixation element 32.
• Figure 2 illustrates the relative position of electrode 30 and fixation element 32 at a first time t ⁇ prior to insertion of fixation element 32 into tissue 14.
• Figure 3 illustrates the relative position of electrode 30 and fixation element 32 at a second time t 2 after insertion of fixation element 32 into tissue 14.
• the amount of energy between electrode 30 and fixation element 32 changes thereby providing an indication of the position of fixation element 32 and whether, and to what extent, lead 12 is coupled to tissue 14.
• This change in the amount of energy is measured by meter 18 and provided to ECU 20.
• ECU 20 uses the amount of energy measured by meter 18 to assess whether, and to what degree, lead 12 is coupled to tissue 14.
• the method may begin with the step 48 of generating a signal indicative of an amount of energy between electrode 30 and fixation element 32.
• meter 18 measures the amount of energy between electrode 30 and fixation element 32 by measuring voltage or current on conductors 44, 46 and generates a signal indicative of the amount of energy between electrode and fixation element 32.
• the method continues with the step 50 of determining a degree of coupling between lead 12 and tissue 14 responsive to the signal.
• Step 50 may include several substeps.
• ECU 20 may compare the amount of energy indicated by signal to a threshold value.
• ECU 20 may determine that that lead 12 is coupled to tissue 14. If the amount of energy does not meet the predetermined condition relative to the threshold value, ECU 20 may determine that the lead 12 is not coupled to tissue 14.
• Step 54 a method for assessing coupling of lead 12 to tissue 14 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.
• the method may again begin with the step 54 of generating a signal indicative of an amount of energy between electrode 30 and fixation element 32.
• meter 18 measures the amount of energy between electrode 30 and fixation element 32 by measuring voltage or current on conductors 44, 46 and generates a signal indicative of the amount of energy between electrode and fixation element 32.
• the method continues with the step 56 of determining a degree of coupling between lead 12 and tissue 14 responsive to the signal. Step 56 may includes several substeps.
• ECU 20 may compare the amount of energy indicated by signal at a time (t) to the amount of energy indicated by the signal at a previous time (t-1) by, for example calculating a difference between the two values.
• ECU 20 may compare the difference to a threshold value. If the difference in the amounts of energy meets a predetermined condition relative to the threshold value (e.g., if the difference meets, exceeds, or is less than the threshold value depending on the application), ECU 20 may determine that that lead 12 is coupled to tissue 14. If the difference in the amounts of energy Agent docket no. 0K-042701WO
• ECU 20 may determine that the lead 12 is not coupled to tissue 14.
• a system and method in accordance with the present teachings offers one or more of a number of advantages.
• the system and method provide a less subjective assessment for assessing the coupling of a lead 12 to tissue 14.
• the use of the amount of energy between the electrode 30 and fixation element 32 provides a measurable quantity indicative of the relative locations of the electrode 30 and fixation element 32 and the degree of coupling of the fixation element 32 to tissue.
• the inventive system and method also minimize or eliminate the need for fluoroscopic imaging. As a result, exposure of the patient and clinician to radiation is reduced.
• joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not as limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Vascular Medicine (AREA)
• Cardiology (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Electrotherapy Devices (AREA)
• Measurement And Recording Of Electrical Phenomena And Electrical Characteristics Of The Living Body (AREA)

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• 2009
  • 2009-12-30 US US12/650,046 patent/US20110160832A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2010
  • 2010-09-24 EP EP10844136.1A patent/EP2470070B1/en active Active
  • 2010-09-24 CN CN201080038718.XA patent/CN102665539B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2010-09-24 WO PCT/US2010/050241 patent/WO2011090518A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2010-09-24 JP JP2012547068A patent/JP2013516220A/ja active Pending

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