Steroid eluting intramuscular lead
US5086787A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 1991 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M60/274
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An intramuscular lead for electrically stimulating muscle tissue particularly configured for a cardiac assist system powered by surgically modified skeletal muscle tissue. Electrical stimulation is supplied via the intramuscular lead to cause contraction of the skeletal muscle in synchrony with the natural or artificially paced heart rate and timed to obtain the desired hemodynamic effect. The improved lead has an electrode which is embedded in the skeletal muscle. The stimulation threshold of the skeletal muscle is held relatively low by the action of a glucocorticosteroid imbedded within the strand of suture material. A spacer coil of biocompatible material is coiled around the strand of suture material, such that the turns of both coils are substantially interleaved. The spacer coil is saturated with a specific agent such as steroid or antibiotic. The compression movement of the muscle tissue and the electrode coil against the spacer coil will cause the drug to be dispensed therefrom.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.