Patent ID: 6122552
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: A61M,A61N

Abstract:
An apparatus for insertion of a left ventricular access lead through the coronary sinus into the vasculature of the left side of the heart comprising:(a) a guidewire;(b) a guide catheter including (i) an elongated tube having a proximal end, a distal end, a first lumen, and a second lumen and an orifice through the distal end of said tube and in communication with said first lumen; (ii) an inflatable balloon coupled to said tube and in communication with said second lumen; and (iii) first and second ports at the proximal end of said tube, said first ports in communication with said first lumen and said second port in communication with said second lumen, said first port, first lumen and orifice sized to that said guidewire can be inserted through said first port and first lumen and pass through the orifice post the distal end of said guide catheter, said second port adapted so that it can be used to inflate and deflate said balloon via said second lumen, said tube being of a sufficient length so that inflation of the balloon can serve to temporarily close off the coronary sinus to prevent backflow through the coronary sinus; and(c) a thin walled sleeve comprising a tube having a proximal end and a distal end and sized to be advanced over the guide catheter until its distal end reaches the coronary sinus, said thin walled sleeve configured to be left in place during retraction of the guide catheter and removed once said lead is inserted in its proper position through said sleeve.