Patent · US Expired

Cardiac electrode with drug delivery capabilities

US4819662A · kind A · utility

288Cited by
6References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 26, 1987
Grant dateApr 11, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 26, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/0568
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An implantable cardiac pacing lead includes a porous, platinum electrode, a flexible electrically conductive coil, and a crimp tube coupling the electrode to the distal end of the coil. A recess in the crimp tube, open to the electrode at the crimp tube distal end, houses a matrix impregnated with a therapeutic drug. The electrode is highly porous and loaded with a therapeutic drug in liquid or solid form. Immediately upon implant of the electrode at a selected myocardial location, the electrode begins dispensing the therapeutic drug. Meanwhile, the matrix begins to elute its drug at a rate more suited to chronic treatment. If desired, the recess can extend through the crimp tube to permit proximal end loading of the drug carrying matrix. A silicone plug, or an additional and proximal crimp tube section, is inserted into the recess after loading of the matrix to provide the required fluid seal. Finally, a variety of different matrices can be housed in the recess, to provide elution of different drugs and at differing rates.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.