Pulmonary artery lead for atrial therapy and atrial pacing and sensing

Abstract

A lead includes a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having an intermediate portion. A shocking electrode is disposed proximate the distal end of the lead body, and a pacing electrode is disposed along the intermediate portion of the lead body. The distal end of the lead body includes a preformed biased shape.

1 . A lead comprising:
 a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having an intermediate portion;   a shocking electrode disposed proximate the distal end of the lead body;   a pacing electrode disposed along the intermediate portion of the lead body;   wherein the distal end of the lead body includes a pre-formed biased shape to passively fixate the distal end of the lead within a pulmonary artery, and wherein the lead body is shaped to be placed within a heart with the lead body extending through the right ventricle and the pre-formed biased shape positioned within the pulmonary artery; and   wherein the lead body includes a second preformed, biased shape near the location of the pacing electrode, the second, preformed biased shape including a curved shape.   
   
   
       2 . The lead of  claim 1 , wherein the lead body is configured into a pre-formed J-shape with the shocking electrode located distally from a bottom of the J-shape and the pacing electrode located proximally from the bottom of the J-shape 
   
   
       3 . The lead of  claim 1 , wherein the lead body is shaped to be positioned within a heart such that a shock can be delivered to the left atrium via the shocking electrode. 
   
   
       4 . The lead of  claim 1 , wherein the pacing electrode is located along the intermediate portion of the lead body in a position such that the pacing electrode is located within a right atrium or superior vena cava when the shocking electrode is within a pulmonary artery. 
   
   
       5 . The lead of  claim 4 , wherein the curved shape urges the pacing electrode towards a wall of the heart. 
   
   
       6 . The lead of  claim 1 , further including a second pacing electrode disposed on the intermediate portion of the lead and located on the lead so as to be located proximate a ventricular outflow tract when the distal portion of the lead is within the pulmonary artery. 
   
   
       7 . A lead comprising:
 a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having an intermediate portion;   a shocking electrode disposed proximate the distal end of the lead body; and   a pacing electrode disposed along the intermediate portion of the lead body, wherein the distal end of the lead body includes a pre-formed biased shape, and wherein the pacing electrode is located along the intermediate portion of the lead body in a position such that the pacing electrode is located within a right atrium or superior vena cava when the shocking electrode is within a pulmonary artery, and wherein the lead body includes a second preformed, biased shape near the location of the pacing electrode, wherein the second preformed, biased shape includes a curved shape configured to bias the pacing electrode toward a wall of the right atrium or the superior vena cava.   
   
   
       8 . The lead of  claim 7 , wherein the lead body includes a second shocking electrode disposed along the lead proximally from the pacing electrode. 
   
   
       9 . The lead of  claim 7 , further comprising a second pacing electrode disposed on the intermediate portion of the lead and located on the lead so as to be located proximate a ventricular outflow tract when the distal portion of the lead is within the pulmonary artery. 
   
   
       11 . The lead of  claim 7 , wherein the preformed, biased shape on the distal end of the lead includes an S-shaped configuration. 
   
   
       12 . The lead of  claim 7 , wherein the pre-formed, biased shape on the distal end of the lead includes a spiral configuration. 
   
   
       13 . The lead of  claim 7 , wherein the lead body includes a pre-formed J-shape along the intermediate section of the lead body. 
   
   
       14 . A lead comprising:
 a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having an intermediate portion, the distal end including an active fixation feature;   a shocking electrode disposed along the distal end of the lead body; and   a pacing electrode disposed along the intermediate portion of the lead body, wherein the lead body includes a preformed, biased shape near the location of the pacing electrode; and   wherein the lead body is configured such that when the shocking electrode is within a pulmonary artery the pacing electrode is located within a right atrium or a superior vena cava.   
   
   
       15 . The lead of  claim 14 , wherein the preformed, biased shape includes a spiral shape. 
   
   
       16 . The lead of  claim 14 , wherein the preformed, biased shape includes a curved shape. 
   
   
       17 . The lead of  claim 14 , further comprising a second pacing electrode disposed on the intermediate portion of the lead and located on the lead so as to be located proximate a ventricular outflow tract when the distal portion of the lead is within the pulmonary artery. 
   
   
       18 . A method comprising:
 providing a lead having a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having an intermediate portion, the lead body having a shocking electrode disposed proximate the distal end and a pacing electrode disposed along an the intermediate portion, wherein the lead body includes a preformed, biased shape near the location of the pacing electrode, the preformed, biased shape including a curved shape configured to bias the pacing electrode toward a wall of the right atrium or the superior vena cava; and   inserting the lead body through a right ventricle and into a pulmonary artery and passively fixating the shocking electrode within the pulmonary artery and disposing the pacing electrode within a right atrium or superior vena cava.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising disposing a second pacing electrode proximate a ventricular outflow tract when the distal portion of the lead is within the pulmonary artery. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising providing a pre-formed J-shape in the intermediate portion of the lead with the shocking electrode located distally from a bottom of the J-shape and the pacing electrode located proximally from the bottom of the J-shape