Lead system for use with an atrial defibrillator and method

Patent 5350404 Issued on September 27, 1994. Estimated Expiration Date:

October 1, 2013. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Endocardial, implantable lead for pacemaker
Patent #: 4401126
Issued on: 08/30/1983
Inventor: Reenstierna

Single-pass A-V lead
Patent #: 4643201
Issued on: 02/17/1987
Inventor: Stokes

Endocardial defibrillation electrode system
Patent #: 5014696
Issued on: 05/14/1991
Inventor: Mehra

Cardioversion and defibrillation lead system with electrode extension into the coronary sinus and great vein
Patent #: 5111811
Issued on: 05/12/1992
Inventor: Smits

Difibrillation lead system and method of use Patent #: 5165403
Issued on: 11/24/1992
Inventor: Mehra

Inventors

Assignee

InControl, Inc.

Application

No. 130308 filed on 10/01/1993

US Classes:

607/5, Cardioverting/defibrillating607/4, Combined cardioverting/defibrillating and pacing607/122Catheter or endocardial (inside heart) type

Examiners

Primary: Kamm, William E.
Assistant: Schaetzle, Kennedy J.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Foley & Lardner

International Class

A61N 001/39

Abstract

An implantable atrial defibrillator provides a pulse of defibrillating electrical energy to the atria of the heart in synchronism with sensed R waves in response to non-coincident sensing of an R wave at first and second areas of the heart. The defibrillating pulse is provided after a predetermined number of consecutive R waves are non-coincidently sensed to assure reliable synchronization. The atrial defibrillator is also operational in a marker mode wherein a number of synchronization marker pulses are delivered to the heart for detection on an externally generated electrocardiogram. The atrial fibrillation detector of the defibrillator is normally disabled and is activated when the sensed ventricular activity indicates a probability of atrial fibrillation to conserve a depletable power source. A plurality of lead systems are also described for use with the atrial defibrillator which reduce the quantity of electrical energy required to defibrillate the heart and ensure that the delivered atrial defibrillating electrical energy is substantially confined to the atria of the heart.