Temporary electrode connection for wireless pacing systems

Inventors

Moore, David F. • Cowan, Mark W. • Willis, N. Parker

Assignees

EBR Systems Inc

Abstract

Delivery of an implantable wireless receiver-stimulator (R-S) into the heart using delivery catheter is described. R-S comprises a cathode and an anode and wirelessly receives and converts energy, such as acoustic ultrasound energy, to electrical energy to stimulate the heart. Conductive wires routed through the delivery system temporarily connect R-S electrodes to external monitor and pacing controller. R-S comprises a first temporary electrical connection from the catheter to the cathode, and a second temporary electrical connection from the catheter to the anode. Temporary electrical connections allow external monitoring of heart's electrical activity as sensed by R-S electrodes to determine tissue viability for excitation as well as to assess energy conversion efficiency.

Core Innovation

The invention describes an implantable receiver-stimulator configured to be releasably connected to a delivery system to attach the receiver-stimulator to the heart of a patient. The receiver-stimulator is configured to receive acoustic energy from a controller-transmitter and to convert the acoustic energy to electrical energy, and includes a first electrode and a second electrode configured to deliver the electrical energy to the heart, with an electrical contact electrically connected to the first electrode.

When the receiver-stimulator is connected to the delivery system, the electrical contact is electrically connected to the delivery system. The temporary connection through the catheter supports external EGM monitoring and pacing-threshold determination at candidate sites, and enables evaluation of energy conversion efficiency. After permanent attachment, a disconnect mechanism disconnects the temporary electrical connection by electrically isolating the electrical contact from the patient.

In particular, the disconnect mechanism includes a seal configured to electrically insulate the electrical contact from the patient to block a current path through the patient between the electrical contact and the second electrode when the receiver-stimulator is released from the delivery system. The disclosure further provides example disconnect mechanisms, including a sealed enclosure with a slit/close seal, a magnetically operated switch, springs/bellows, a conductive dome structure, and fuse/electronic switch concepts, to prevent current shunting via exposed residual conductive material after release.

Claims Coverage

The independent claims cover two main inventive groupings: an implantable acoustic-to-electrical receiver-stimulator with a releasable catheter-based electrical connection and a seal-based disconnect mechanism, and a disconnect mechanism configured to electrically disconnect an electrical contact from a first electrode to block a current path when released. Together they emphasize releasable attachment, acoustic energy conversion, electrode-based delivery to the heart, and electrical isolation/disconnection after release.

Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on an implantable receiver-stimulator that receives acoustic energy and converts it to electrical energy delivered to the heart via first and second electrodes, with an electrical contact that is electrically connected to the delivery system only while connected. The disconnect mechanism, particularly via a seal or by electrically disconnecting the electrical contact from the first electrode, is configured to block current paths through the patient when the receiver-stimulator is released.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications