Steerable epicardial pacing catheter system placed via the subxiphoid process

Abstract

The epicardial pacing system and related method includes an epicardial catheter configured to be disposed in the middle mediastinum of the thorax of a subject for use in electrical pacing of the heart at one or more locations on the epicardial surface. The epicardial pacing catheter may include at least one electrode whereby the electrode is insulated on at least one side to allow pacing of the heart without damage to adjacent anatomical structures.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 986,786, filed November, 09, 2007, entitled “Passive Fixation, Steerable Epicardial Lead to be Placed via the Subxiphoid Process for Pacing Left Ventricle, Right Ventricle, Right Atrium and Left Atrium and Cardiac Defibrillation,” and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 023,727, filed Jan. 25, 2008, entitled “Steerable Epicardial Lead to be Placed via the Subxiphoid Process for Left Ventricular Pacing and Related Method;” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.[0002]This application is related to PCT International Application No. Serial No. PCT / US2008 / 056643, filed Mar. 12, 2008, entitled, “Access Needle Pressure Sensor Device and Method of Use,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.[0003]This application is related to PCT International Application No. Serial No. PCT / US2008 / 056...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020]An aspect of an embodiment or partial embodiment of the present invention (or combinations of various embodiments in whole or in part of the present invention) comprises a method for use with an epicardial pacing catheter. The method may comprise: disposing the epicardial pacing catheter in the middle mediastinum of the thorax of a subject; and pacing the heart at one or more locations with electrical energy from an at least one electrode; and at least partially insulating the electrical energy to allow pacing of the heart without dama

Problems solved by technology

While medical therapy, such as prescription drugs, may benefit a number of patients, side effects prevent some patients from completing therapy.

Moreover, few patients are completely cured of their symptoms.

Unfortunately, due to inherent difficulties in placing left ventricular (LV) leads, less than 15% of eligible patients are able to receive this device.

Unlike the RV, the electrical lead can not be placed directly into the LV due to the unacceptably high risk of stroke.

However, in procedures conducted at the inventors' high volume university hospital, 20% of patients have been found to have a very difficult access to the CS, resulting in an abandonment of the procedure.

Worse still, many of these patients have multiple areas of dead heart tissue, so even if a lead can be placed within a vein, it might not pace the heart.

All of these limitations result in an unpredictable procedure time, making it difficult for hospitals and doctors to plan the operation.

Both the Ncontact® and Heartlander® tools, which are not designed to pace, require surgical incisions.

There are two significant barriers to widespread application of these surgical techniques.

First, surgical procedures are generally more invasive and require longer recovery times. Second, most cardiologists consider it the standard of care to attempt an initial placement of a lead via CS access; only after that fails is surgery considered.

No reference discloses the conceptual arrangements for an integrated cardiological device for epicardial pacing.

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