Medical Devices Incorporating Carbon Nanotube Material and Methods of Fabricating Same

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to medical devices; in particular and without limitation, to unique electrodes and / or electrical lead assemblies for stimulating cardiac tissue, muscle tissue, neurological tissue, brain tissue and / or organ tissue; to electrophysiology mapping and ablation catheters for monitoring and selectively altering physiologic conduction pathways; and, wherein said electrodes, lead assemblies and catheters optionally include fluid irrigation conduit(s) for providing therapeutic and / or performance enhancing materials to adjacent biological tissue, and wherein each said device is coupled to or incorporates nanotube structures or materials therein. The present invention also provides methods for fabricating, deploying, and operating such medical devices.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 403,329, filed on Mar. 31, 2003, now allowed, which claims the benefit of provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60 / 431,330 filed Dec. 6, 2002 and entitled, “Medical Devices Incorporating Carbon Nanotube Material and Methods of Fabricating Same,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.[0002]This non-provisional patent application also incorporates the contents of co-pending non-provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 262,046 filed Oct. 2, 2002 and entitled, “Active Fluid Delivery Catheter.”FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates generally to medical devices; in particular and without limitation, to unique electrodes and / or electrical lead assemblies for stimulating cardiac tissue, muscle tissue, neurological tissue, brain tissue and / or organ tissue; to electrophysiology mappin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides improved medical electrical lead assemblies and electrodes using carbon nanotube material. These materials have unique properties such as high strength, stable state, low weight, and high current density, making them ideal for use in various medical applications. The invention features the use of carbon nanotubes in several ways, including depositing them onto electrodes or using them as a coating on metallic electrodes. The carbon nanotube coating increases the surface area of the electrodes, improving their performance and allowing for better sensing and delivery of electrical signals. The invention also involves the use of nanotube structures in the form of elongated medical electrical leads and electrodes for sensing and delivering electrical stimulation pulses to tissue. Overall, the invention provides a way to improve the performance of medical electrical leads and electrodes.

Problems solved by technology

Nanotubes made exclusively from carbon are chemically inert and are therefore, the inventors suggest, are highly biocompatible.

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