Pulmonary artery lead for atrial therapy and atrial pacing and sensing

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/895,748, filed Jul. 21, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part and claims priority of invention under 35 U.S.C. §120 from U.S. application Ser. No. 10/325,659, filed Dec. 19, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference.

This invention relates to the field of medical leads, and more specifically to an implantable lead.

Leads 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 the leads to return the heart to normal rhythm.

For example, one technique to apply therapy to the left atrium of the heart is to implant the electrode through the coronary sinus to reach a location below the left atrium. However, it can be difficult to locate the coronary sinus ostium, thus implantation time can be excessive, or the procedure can be unsuccessful. Also, some therapies require two or more electrodes located in separate chambers or locations within a heart. Typically, these electrodes are on different leads. However, implanting two or more leads within a heart increases the costs and difficulties of the procedure.

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. In one option, the lead can include a second shocking electrode located proximally from the pacing electrode.

One aspect includes a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having an intermediate portion, the distal end adapted for being passively fixated within a pulmonary artery. The lead includes 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. 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a view of a lead, according to one embodiment, implanted within a heart.

FIG. 2 shows a view of a lead, according to one embodiment, implanted within a heart.

FIG. 3 shows a distal portion of a lead according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4A shows a distal portion of a lead according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4B shows a distal portion of a lead according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4C shows a distal portion of a lead according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a view of a lead, according to one embodiment.

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