Anterior positioning inactive housing
A subcutaneous cardiac device includes a subcutaneous electrode and a housing coupled to the subcutaneous electrode by a lead with a lead wire. The subcutaneous electrode is adapted to be implanted in a frontal region of the patient so as to overlap a portion of the patient's heart.
1. A method of terminating a cardiac arrhythmia in a patient comprising delivering an electrical stimulus between at least first and second implanted electrodes wherein:
the first implanted electrode is disposed in a substantially vertical position anterior to the patient's heart and adjacent the patient's sternum;
the second implanted electrode disposed in a substantially vertical position anterior to the patient's heart and to the left of the first implanted electrode;
each of the first and second implanted electrodes are disposed subcutaneously in the patient, with no portion thereof extending into the patient's ribcage or residing in the patient's vasculature;
the first and second implanted electrodes are electrically coupled to circuitry housed in a canister, the circuitry adapted for generating and controlling the electrical stimulus; and
the canister is disposed at about the patient's left inframammary crease.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second implanted electrodes are disposed on a single lead assembly.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second implanted electrodes are disposed on separate lead assemblies.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sensing cardiac activity in the patient, wherein at least one of the first and second implanted electrodes is disposed on a lead assembly that includes a distal portion having a compound electrode with a first portion for delivering cardiac stimulus and a second portion for use in sensing cardiac activity.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sensing cardiac activity in the patient.
6. A method of terminating a cardiac arrhythmia in a patient comprising delivering an electrical stimulus between at least first and second implanted electrodes wherein:
the first implanted electrode is disposed in a substantially horizontal anterior position over the patient's heart;
the second implanted electrode disposed in a substantially horizontal anterior position over the patient's heart, inferior to the first implanted electrode;
each of the first and second implanted electrodes are disposed subcutaneously in the patient, with no portion thereof extending into the patient's ribcage or residing in the patient's vasculature;
the first and second implanted electrodes are electrically coupled to circuitry housed in a canister, the circuitry adapted for generating and controlling the electrical stimulus; and
the canister is disposed on the left side of the patient's ribcage under the arm.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the first and second implanted electrodes are disposed on a single lead assembly.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the first and second implanted electrodes are disposed on separate lead assemblies.
9. The method of claim 6 , further comprising sensing cardiac activity in the patient, wherein:
at least one of the first and second implanted electrodes is disposed on a lead assembly that includes a distal portion having a compound electrode with a first portion for delivering cardiac stimulus and a second portion for use in sensing cardiac activity.
10. The method of claim 6 , further comprising sensing cardiac activity in the patient.
11. A method of terminating a cardiac arrhythmia in a patient comprising delivering an electrical stimulus between at least first and second implanted electrodes wherein:
the first implanted electrode is disposed in a substantially vertical anterior position over the patient's heart, adjacent the sternum;
the second implanted electrode disposed in a substantially vertical anterior position over the patient's heart, to the left of the first implanted electrode;
each of the first and second implanted electrodes are disposed subcutaneously in the patient, with no portion thereof extending into the patient's ribcage or residing in the patient's vasculature;
the first and second implanted electrodes are electrically coupled to circuitry housed in a canister, the circuitry adapted for generating and controlling the electrical stimulus; and
the canister is disposed at a pectoral position inferior to the clavicle.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first and second implanted electrodes are disposed on a single lead assembly.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first and second implanted electrodes are disposed on separate lead assemblies.
14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising sensing cardiac activity in the patient, wherein:
at least one of the first and second implanted electrodes is disposed on a lead assembly that includes a distal portion having a compound electrode with a first portion for delivering cardiac stimulus and a second portion for use in sensing cardiac activity.
15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising sensing cardiac activity in the patient.
16. A method of terminating a cardiac arrhythmia in a patient comprising delivering an electrical stimulus between at least first and second implanted electrodes wherein:
the first implanted electrode is disposed in a substantially horizontal anterior position over the patient's heart;
the second implanted electrode disposed in a substantially horizontal anterior position over the patient's heart, inferior to the first implanted electrode;
each of the first and second implanted electrodes are disposed subcutaneously in the patient, with no portion thereof extending into the patient's ribcage or residing in the patient's vasculature;
the first and second implanted electrodes are electrically coupled to circuitry housed in a canister, the circuitry adapted for generating and controlling the electrical stimulus; and
the canister is disposed inferior and lateral to the first implanted electrode and superior and lateral to the second implanted electrode.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the first and second implanted electrodes are disposed on a single lead assembly.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the first and second implanted electrodes are disposed on separate lead assemblies.
19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising sensing cardiac activity in the patient, wherein:
at least one of the first and second implanted electrodes is disposed on a lead assembly that includes a distal portion having a compound implanted electrode with a first portion for delivering cardiac stimulus and a second portion for use in sensing cardiac activity.
20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising sensing cardiac activity in the patient.