Supraventricular tachy sensing vector

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/007,635, filed on Dec. 13, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

This relates to the field of medical devices, and more specifically to a sensing vector for an implantable device.

Pulse generators and leads having electrodes implanted in or about the heart have been used to reverse certain life threatening arrhythmia, or to stimulate contraction of the heart. Electrical energy is applied to the heart via an electrode to return the heart to normal rhythm. Leads are usually positioned on, in, or near the ventricle or the atrium and the lead terminal pins are attached to a pacemaker or defibrillator which is implanted subcutaneously. The pulse generator is configured to utilize the electrodes to receive signals from the heart which can indicate certain cardiac events.

A system includes a pulse generator including a can electrode and a lead couplable to the pulse generator, the lead including a distal coil electrode and a proximal coil electrode, wherein both of the coil electrodes are electrically uncoupled from the can electrode such that a unipolar sensing vector is provided between at least one of the coil electrodes and the can electrode.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 shows a view of a lead 100 coupled to a pulse generator 150. In one embodiment, lead 100 is adapted to deliver defibrillation shock energy to a heart. Certain embodiments deliver pacing pulses to a heart. Pulse generator 150 can be implanted in a surgically-formed pocket in a patient\'s chest or other desired location. Pulse generator 150 generally includes electronic components to perform signal analysis, processing, and control. Pulse generator 150 can include a power supply such as a battery, a capacitor, and other components housed in a case or can 151. The device can include microprocessors to provide processing and evaluation to determine and deliver electrical shocks and pulses of different energy levels and timing for ventricular defibrillation, cardioversion, and pacing to a heart in response to cardiac arrhythmia including fibrillation, tachycardia, and bradycardia.

In one embodiment, lead 100 includes a lead body 105 extending from a proximal end 107 to a distal end 109 and having an intermediate portion 111. Lead 100 includes one or more conductors, such as coiled conductors or other conductors, to conduct energy from pulse generator 150 to one or more electrodes, such as a distal defibrillation coil electrode 120 configured to be implanted in right ventricle 20, and a proximal defibrillation coil electrode 122 configured to be implanted in right atrium 22 or superior vena cava 24. The superior vena cava and the right atrium are called the supraventricular portion of the heart. In one embodiment, the lead 100 can include a tip electrode 130 and a distal ring electrode 132 for ventricular sensing and pacing. Some embodiments include one or more proximal ring electrodes for atrial sensing and pacing.