Intrapericardial lead

(21) Appl.No.: 11/691,335

(22) Filed: Mar. 26, 2007

(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2007/0239244 Al Oct. 11, 2007

Related U.S. Application Data

(60) Provisional application No. 60/791,523, filed on Apr. 11, 2006.

(51) Int. CI.

A61N1/05 (2006.01)

(52) U.S. CI 607/130; 607/125; 607/129

(58) Field of Classification Search 607/129,

607/125, 130; 600/374; 606/41 See application file for complete search history.

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

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(Continued)

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

EP 0280564 Bl 6/1993

(Continued)

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

European Search Report, Aug. 2, 2007: Related Application Serial No.EP07251557.

(Continued) Primary Examiner — Kennedy J Schaetzle

The intrapericardial lead includes a lead body having a proximal portion and a flexible, pre-curved distal end portion. The distal end portion carries at least one electrode assembly containing an electrode adapted to engage pericardial tissue. The distal end portion further carries a pre-curved flexible wire member having ends attached to spaced apart points along the distal end portion of the lead body, the flexible wire member having a normally expanded state wherein an intermediate portion of the wire member is spaced apart from the distal end portion, and a generally straightened state wherein the wire member and the distal end portion are disposed in a more parallel, adjacent relationship so as to present a small frontal area to facilitate delivery into the pericardial space. The wire member re-expands to its normal state after delivery into the percaridal space to anchor the distal end portion of the lead body relative to the pericardial tissue.

28 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

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INSERTING A GUIDEWIRE THROUGH THE NEEDLE TO MAINTAIN ACCESS TO THE PERICARDIAL SPACE

GUIDING AN INTRODUCER/DILATOR OVER THE GUIDEWIRE AND SUBSEQUENTLY REMOVING THE DILATOR