This technology is an improved, minimally invasive technique for biventricular heart pacing using ventricle leads that include an anatomically shaped stylet.
Congestive heart failure is growing public health problem, with more than 550,000 new cases in the U.S. each year. Biventricular pacing is an established therapy for patients with congestive heart failure and left ventricular dyssynchrony, but electrode placement is technically difficult and fails in 10 percent of cases. Current methods of implanting left ventricular pacing are particularly problematic as coronary sinus lead insertion is both invasive and time consuming, leading to reduced effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy.
This technology describes a technique and embodiments for temporary or permanent post-surgical biventricular heart pacing, as well as new methodology to place leads employing open chest or less invasive parasternal lead insertion. This methodology utilizes a flexible coronary sinus lead guided via a routinely placed cannula and includes a rigid shaped stylet that conforms to the expected curves of the coronary sinus and branch vein. Transvenous pacing is particularly valuable as an alternative for returning patients, in which the left ventricle epicardium is inaccessible. It can also be implemented in patients when it is infeasible to obtain a stable pacing site. In some embodiments, the components allow for insertion under local anesthesia instead of during general anesthesia. Additionally, the modified cannula is useful for all lead insertions, especially when a transvenous approach is not possible, and can be combined with one or more sensors for guidance functions.
This technology has been validated in the coronary sinuses of pig hearts.
IR 2570, 2680, 2726
Licensing Contact: Sam Galindo
