Cardiac access methods and apparatus

US7881810B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• PACESETTER, INC. · US

Inventors

• Yougandh Chitre · Santa Clara, US
• Gene A. Bornzin · Simi Valley, US
• John R. Helland · Santa Clarita, US
• Eric Falkenberg · Simi Valley, US
• Kevin L. Morgan · Simi Valley, US
• Sheldon Williams · Quartz Hill, US
• Michael Yang · Thousand Oaks, US
• Andrew W. McGarvey · Minneapolis, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 24, 2007
• Grant date: Feb 1, 2011
• Expiry date: Feb 19, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/0587
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A chamber or vasculature of a heart may be accessed via the pericardial space of the heart. Initially, the pericardial space may be accessed via a transmyocardial approach or a subxiphoid approach. A lead or other implantable apparatus may thus be routed into the pericardial space, through myocardial tissue and into the chamber or vasculature. The lead or other apparatus may be used to sense activity in or provide therapy to the heart.