Biasing and fixation features on leads

Abstract

A lead assembly for placement in a coronary vessel of the heart, the coronary vessel having a pericardial wall portion and a myocardial wall portion. The lead assembly comprises a lead body extending from a proximal end adapted for coupling to a pulse generator to a distal end adapted for implantation in the heart, an electrode positioned at the distal end of the lead body, and a loop biasing feature located at the distal end of the lead body. The loop biasing feature includes a resilient loop positioned to bias a portion of the electrode towards the myocardial wall portion of the coronary vessel by exerting a force against the pericardial wall portion. The loop biasing feature further includes a collar for coupling the loop biasing feature to the lead body. A method of implanting the lead assembly.

1 . A method of implanting a lead in a coronary vessel of the heart, the coronary vessel having a pericardial wall portion and a myocardial wall portion, the method comprising:
 providing a lead body extending from a proximal end adapted for coupling to a pulse generator to a distal end adapted for implantation in the heart, a pace/sense electrode positioned at the distal end of the lead body, and a loop biasing feature located at the distal end of the lead body, the loop biasing feature including a resilient loop;   compressing the resilient loop towards the lead body by inserting the lead into a guide catheter;   advancing the distal end of the lead body into the coronary vessel to a fixation location; and   biasing the pace/sense electrode towards the myocardial wall portion of the coronary vessel by engaging the loop biasing feature.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising engaging the loop biasing feature by removing the catheter. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising revising the implantation location by tensioning a cord coupled to the loop biasing feature. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the loop biasing feature further comprises a predefined break region, and the method further comprises breaking the predefined break region in order to remove the lead body. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the predefined break location comprises a necked down region, and breaking the predefined break region comprises breaking the necked down region. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the loop biasing feature further comprises a collar for coupling the loop biasing feature to the lead body. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the lead body further comprises a groove configured to accommodate the collar. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the loop biasing feature further includes a fixation structure. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the loop biasing feature further includes a plurality of resilient loops. 
     
     
         10 . A method of implanting a lead in a coronary vessel of the heart, the coronary vessel having a pericardial wall portion and a myocardial wall portion, the method comprising:
 providing a lead body extending from a proximal end adapted for coupling to a pulse generator to a distal end adapted for implantation in the heart, an electrode positioned at the distal end of the lead body, and a loop biasing feature located at the distal end of the lead body, the loop biasing feature including a resilient loop, the loop biasing feature including a collar for coupling the loop biasing feature to the lead body, the lead body including a groove to accommodate the collar;   compressing the resilient loop towards the lead body by inserting the lead into a guide catheter;   advancing the distal end of the lead body into the coronary vessel to a fixation location; and   biasing the electrode towards the myocardial wall portion of the coronary vessel by engaging the loop biasing feature.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising engaging the loop biasing feature by removing the catheter. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising revising the implantation location by tensioning a cord coupled to the loop biasing feature. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the loop biasing feature further comprises a predefined break region, and the method further comprises breaking the predefined break region in order to remove the lead body. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the predefined break location comprises a necked down region, and breaking the predefined break region comprises breaking the necked down region. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the loop biasing feature further includes a fixation structure. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the loop biasing feature further includes a plurality of resilient loops. 
     
     
         17 . A method of implanting a lead in a branch vessel of the coronary sinus, the branch vessel having a pericardial wall portion and a myocardial wall portion, the method comprising:
 providing a lead body extending from a proximal end adapted for coupling to a pulse generator to a distal end adapted for implantation in the heart, a pace/sense electrode positioned at the distal end of the lead body, and a loop biasing feature located at the distal end of the lead body, the loop biasing feature including a resilient loop;   compressing the resilient loop towards the lead body by inserting the lead into a guide catheter;   advancing the distal end of the lead body into the branch vessel to a fixation location; and   biasing the pace/sense electrode towards the myocardial wall portion of the branch vessel by engaging the loop biasing feature.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising engaging the loop biasing feature by removing the catheter. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the electrode comprises a pace/sense electrode. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the loop biasing feature further comprises a necked down region defining a predefined break region, and the method further comprises breaking the necked down region in order to remove the lead body.