Patent ID: 8644927
Filing Date: 2014-02-04
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for detection and treatment of atrial arrhythmia, the apparatus comprising: an electrical lead having a proximal and distal portion, the distal portion configured to be positioned in an atrial chamber of a heart, the proximal portion having an end configured to be coupled to a pacemaker device, the lead comprising a plurality of conductive wires, wherein the lead is flexible and configured to be advanced in the atrial chamber of the heart from a percutaneous introductory site; a plurality of membrane patches distributed along the electrical lead, each membrane patch configured to be attached to an endocardial wall of the heart and to bend and flex with motion of the heart without impeding motion of the heart; and a plurality of pairs of bipolar electrodes, wherein at least one pair of electrodes is positioned on each membrane patch, the electrodes of each pair being (i) coupled to a conductive wire of the lead, and (ii) configured to at least sense an electrical signal of the wall of the heart; wherein the distribution of the plurality of membrane patches and electrode pairs along the lead is configured to allow the plurality of electrode pairs to be distributed in a pattern on the endocardial wall, the pattern defining an area for i) detecting a location of a foci of aberrant electrical activity located within or adjacent to the area, and ii) sending a pacing signal to that location to prevent or stop an occurrence of atrial fibrillation caused by that foci.