Patent ID: 8934956
Filing Date: 2015-01-13
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
1. A method of positioning an electrode array at an optimal stimulation site within a blood vessel, comprising: providing an expandable anchor having a first portion, a second portion, and a plurality of electrodes on the first portion, each of the first and second portions having a compressed position and an expanded position; with the first and second portions in the compressed position, positioning the anchor within a blood vessel; at a first location within the blood vessel, maintaining the second portion of the anchor in the compressed position while expanding the first portion to the expanded position, wherein expanding the first portion biases the electrodes in contact with walls of the blood vessel; performing a mapping procedure using the electrodes at the first location; after performing the mapping procedure, repositioning the anchor to place the electrodes at a second location different from the first location, wherein repositioning the anchor includes placing the electrodes into contact with the walls of the blood vessel at the second location while maintaining the second portion in the compressed position; performing a mapping procedure using the electrodes at the second location; and after performing a mapping procedure at the second location, expanding the second portion into contact with the walls of the blood vessel to chronically retain the electrodes at the second location.