Patent · US Expired

Implantable device for the effective elimination of cardiac arrhythmogenic sites

US5551427A · kind A · utility

403Cited by
15References
26Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 13, 1995
Grant dateSep 3, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 13, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/0573
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An implantable devices for the effective elimination of an arrhythmogenic site from the myocardium is presented. By inserting small biocompatible conductors and/or insulators into the heart tissue at the arrhythmogenic site, it is possible to effectively eliminate a portion of the tissue from the electric field and current paths within the heart. The device would act as an alternative to the standard techniques for the removal of tissue from the effective contribution to the hearts electrical action which require the destruction of tissue via energy transfer (RF, microwave, cryogenic, etc.). This device is a significant improvement in the state of the art in that it does not require tissue necrosis. In one preferred embodiment the device is a non conductive helix that is permanently implanted into the heart wall around the arrhythmogenic site. In variations on the embodiment, the structure is wholly or partially conductive, the structure is used as an implantable substrate for anti arrhythmic, inflammatory, or angiogenic pharmacological agents, and the structure is deliverable by a catheter with a disengaging stylet. In other preferred embodiments that may incorporate the same vari…

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