Cardiac device for reducing arrhythmia

Overview

Information

Number
5873896
Application
08/864030
Filing date
05/27/1997
Issue date
02/23/1999
Inventor(s)
Raymond E. Ideker
US Classification
607/14
View at USPTO

Citations

Medtronic (4)
Cardiac Pacemakers (2)
Arzco Medical Electronics (1)
NA (1)
PaceSetter (1)
Ventritex (1)
Intermedics (1)

Abstract

Abstract

A device is disclosed for reducing the likelihood of cardiac arrhythmia or halting the arrhythmia after it begins without having to give a large shock which can be painful or may damage the heart. The device includes an elongated primary strip having a plurality of electrodes positioned at spaced intervals along its length. The strip is dimensioned so that, upon insertion into a patient, the electrodes on the strip electrically contact the heart tissue, either directly or through an intermediate high resistance conductive layer. The electrodes are then energized with an electrical energy sufficient to hyperpolarize heart tissue adjacent to each of the electrodes. Furthermore, the electrodes are spaced along the strip sufficiently close to each other so that, upon energization of the electrodes, a line of heart tissue is hyperpolarized to thereby prevent cardiac electrical conductance across that line. Optionally, secondary electrode strip(s) extend alongside, or encircle, the primary strip. The secondary strip(s) include electrodes which are activated by lower current levels than the primary strip to minimize the likelihood of an activation front caused by activation from the primary strip electrodes.

Assignees with Similar Patents

Boston Scientific (7)
Cardiac Pacemakers (6)
EBR Systems (5)
NA (5)
Medtronic (5)

Referenced by

AtriCure (21)
Medtronic (14)
Maquet Cardiovascular, (12)
The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York (1)
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (1)

Tech Analysis

Class Subclass Type Reference Factor Citation Factor Strength Grant time Early grant (%)
607 14 Stable Average Seminal Medium High Rapid 20.4