LEADLESS CARDIAC STIMULATION SYSTEMS

摘要

Various configurations of systems that employ leadless electrodes to provide pacing therapy are provided. In one example, a system that provides multiple sites for pacing of myocardium of a heart includes wireless pacing electrodes that are implantable at sites proximate the myocardium using a percutaneous, transluminal, catheter delivery system. Each of the electrodes contains a source of electrical energy for pacing the myocardium and is adapted to receive electromagnetic energy from a source outside the myocardium. The system also includes a source adapted for placement outside the myocardium and that uses locally measured electrocardiograms to synchronize pacing of the heart by sending electromagnetic commands to the electrodes to pace the myocardium surrounding the electrodes. Also disclosed is various configurations of such systems, wireless electrode assemblies, and delivery catheters for delivering and implanting the electrode assemblies.

主权项

1. A method for implanting a leadless cardiac stimulation assembly into a heart of a patient, the leadless cardiac stimulation assembly having a stimulation electrode at or near its distal end, the method comprising:
delivering the leadless cardiac stimulation assembly to a first implant site within the heart of the patient using a delivery device; with the leadless cardiac stimulation assembly at the first implant site, and while retaining a connection to the leadless cardiac stimulation assembly, pacing the heart at the first implant site using the stimulation electrode of the leadless cardiac stimulation assembly; if a response to the pacing at the first implant site is acceptable, releasing the connection to the leadless cardiac stimulation assembly and withdrawing the delivery device from the heart; and if the response to the pacing at the first implant site is not acceptable, repositioning the leadless cardiac stimulation assembly from the first implant site to a second implant site via the delivery device, wherein the second implant site is different from the first implant site, and while retaining a connection to the leadless cardiac stimulation assembly, pacing the heart at the second implant site using the stimulation electrode of the leadless cardiac stimulation assembly.