Cardiac lead implantation system
Cardiac lead implantation systems and methods including an electronics arrangement provided with a user interface and a coupler assembly. A coupler body is configured to detachably grasp a cardiac lead and couple with electrical contacts of the cardiac lead. A user interface includes an output indicative of sensed cardiac parameters, such as one or both of cardiac signal amplitude and lead electrode impedance, and may include an audio output device and/or a visual output device. Methods of lead implantation involve advancing a cardiac lead into proximity with a patient's heart, and contacting cardiac tissue with an electrode arrangement to locate a suitable implant location. Sensing of one or more cardiac parameters is accomplished and an audible representation of the sensed parameters is produced, the audible representation varying as the electrode arrangement is moved relative to the cardiac tissue.
1. A patient-external system for coupling to an implantable cardiac lead having two or more lead electrodes, comprising:
a coupler assembly, comprising:
a coupler body configured to detachably grasp an outer surface of the cardiac lead, the coupler body comprising a clamshell hinge configured to forcibly engage the outer surface of the cardiac lead in a closed configuration and to release forcible engagement with the outer surface of the cardiac lead in an open configuration; and
a plurality of electrical contacts supported by the coupler body, the plurality of electrical contacts configured to detachably couple with electrical contacts of the cardiac lead; and
an electronics arrangement coupled to the coupler body, the electronics arrangement comprising a user interface configured to provide one or both of user perceivable audio and visual output.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronics arrangement is disposed in or on the coupler body.
3. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
a cable comprising a proximal end coupled to the electronics arrangement and a distal end extending from the housing and coupled to the coupler body; and
electrical conductors in the cable connecting the electronics arrangement to the plurality of electrical contacts.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises an audio output device configured to broadcast user-perceivable audio output indicative of one or both of cardiac signal amplitude and lead electrode impedance.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a visual output device configured to produce user-perceivable visual output indicative of one or both of cardiac signal amplitude and lead electrode impedance.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the visual output device comprises a graphical display of an electrocardiogram signal sensed by the electrode.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the coupler body comprises a plurality of protrusions configured to forcibly contact the outer surface of the cardiac lead.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the coupler body comprises an inner passage configured to accommodate the cardiac lead when the coupler body detachably grasps the outer surface of the cardiac lead.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cardiac lead comprises an open lumen, and the coupler body comprises an inner passage configured to provide access to the open lumen of the cardiac lead while the coupler body detachably grasps the outer surface of the cardiac lead.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the coupler body is sterilizable.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronics arrangement comprises an external connector interface for facilitating connection between the electronics arrangement and an external system.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronics arrangement comprises energy delivery circuitry that produces a stimulation signal deliverable to cardiac tissue via the two or more lead electrodes.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronics arrangement comprises impedance detection circuitry.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronics arrangement comprises cardiac activity detection circuitry.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the coupler body comprises a power source, the power source defining a sole source of power for the electronics arrangement.
16. A patient-external system for coupling to an implantable cardiac lead having two or more lead electrodes, comprising:
a coupler assembly, comprising:
a coupler body configured to detachably grasp an outer surface of the cardiac lead, the coupler body comprising a plurality of protrusions configured to forcibly contact the outer surface of the cardiac lead; and
a plurality of electrical contacts supported by the coupler body, the plurality of electrical contacts configured to detachably couple with electrical contacts of the cardiac lead; and
an electronics arrangement coupled to the coupler body, the electronics arrangement comprising a user interface configured to provide one or both of user perceivable audio and visible output.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the electronics arrangement is disposed in or on the coupler body.
18. The system of claim 16 , comprising:
a cable comprising a proximal end coupled to the electronics arrangement and a distal end extending from the housing and coupled to the coupler body; and
electrical conductors in the cable connecting the electronics arrangement to the plurality of electrical contacts.
19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the user interface comprises an audio output device configured to broadcast user-perceivable audio output indicative of one or both of cardiac signal amplitude and lead electrode impedance.
20. The system of claim 16 , wherein the user interface comprises a visual output device configured to produce user-perceivable visual output indicative of one or both of cardiac signal amplitude and lead electrode impedance.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the visual output device comprises a graphical display of an electrocardiogram signal sensed by the electrode.
22. The system of claim 16 , wherein the coupler body comprises an inner passage configured to accommodate the cardiac lead when the coupler body detachably grasps the outer surface of the cardiac lead.
23. The system of claim 16 , wherein the cardiac lead comprises an open lumen, and the coupler body comprises an inner passage configured to provide access to the open lumen of the cardiac lead while the coupler body detachably grasps the outer surface of the cardiac lead.
24. The system of claim 16 , wherein the coupler body is sterilizable.
25. The system of claim 16 , wherein the electronics arrangement comprises an external connector interface for facilitating connection between the electronics arrangement and an external system.
26. The system of claim 16 , wherein the electronics arrangement comprises energy delivery circuitry that produces a stimulation signal deliverable to cardiac tissue via the two or more lead electrodes.
27. The system of claim 16 , wherein the electronics arrangement comprises impedance detection circuitry.
28. The system of claim 16 , wherein the electronics arrangement comprises cardiac activity detection circuitry.
29. The system of claim 16 , wherein the coupler body comprises a power source, the power source defining a sole source of power for the electronics arrangement.