Patent Description:
Cardiac stimulation systems consist of devices the function of which is to detect the electrical activity generated by the heart, and in the absence of said activity, to interpret it as an absence of a heartbeat and to provide an electric discharge which causes the heart contraction at a given power.

In detail, a cardiac stimulation system is made up of circuits and processors, housed together with the battery in a metal casing, usually made of titanium, and intended for performing the function of detecting electrical activity and generating pulses.

The system furthermore presents one, two, or three electrodes, depending on the type of cardiac stimulation required. These electrodes are connected in respective ports of the generator located in a silicone head and run from a central venous access of the patient to the desired heart chamber (right auricle or ventricle), being supported on or fixed to the endocardium. If the left ventricle is to be stimulated via the coronary sinus, the electrode is moved to the desired location.

The electrodes, formed by a metallic material covered with insulating element, receive electrical information from the heart and channel it to the processors in the casing. In the absence of electrical activity, there is emitted from the generator housed in the casing an electric discharge which is channeled to the endocardium (or epicardium in the electrodes of the coronary sinus), causing a heart contraction.

These cardiac stimulation systems may be permanent or temporary depending on the time the stimulation therapy will be maintained.

<CIT> discloses a supporting heart that offers a systema for an electrical stimulation generator, comprising a generator for cardiac stimulation, a neurostimulation mechanism and a electrode that presents a first end for connection to the heart of the patient and a second end for connection to said generator. The configuration of the disclosed system does not offer a solution for temporary devices with a double security closure.

<CIT> discloses a compression hemostasis and sac-bag protector after permanent cardiac pacemaker implantation that includes a fixer formed by a chest belt, a front aiguillette and a back aiguillette that are connected by a moveable connection element. The system of this document does not offer a versatile device with a case of parts joined by a hinged.

Current permanent systems are made up of increasingly smaller generators which reach a volume of <NUM><NUM> and in which the generator is housed in the subcutaneous cellular tissue, usually in the anterior pectoral region of the patient. In this case, the electrodes are introduced through the subclavian or, in some cases, the internal jugular route to the superior vena cava and to the final location which can be the right auricle, the right ventricle, or the coronary venous network.

In temporary cardiac stimulation systems, the external generator which has typically been used and contains all the necessary elements (battery, processors, electrode connection ports) can reach a length of <NUM> and a weight of up to <NUM>.

Moreover, the electrodes used with these devices for temporary stimulation often lack a system for fixing to the endocardium, where said devices are supported solely on the inner heart surface.

These two features of the conventional temporary cardiac stimulation system mean that the patient must remain at absolute rest and with continuous monitoring in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The electrode-endocardium contact and the size of the generator mean that the system is unstable and prevents patient mobility.

The purpose of this temporary stimulation is to obtain time to complete the study on the patient which may conclude in spontaneous recovery or in the need for implanting a permanent pacemaker.

Materials of permanent stimulation systems are being used today for temporary cardiac stimulation as they provide greater safety. This technique consists of leaving the active fixing electrode externalized, connected to a permanent pacemaker generator. Use of these components provides an electrode-endocardium attachment with a safer and more stable active fixing that allows discharging the patient from the ICU so that their progress may continue in a hospitalization ward.

A fastening system for fastening this generator and the externalized electrode to the patient, providing the required safety, is not available today. In some cases, it is secured to the patient by means of dressings or sutured to the skin. This solution poses a series of problems given that the systems may come off easily and the generator may pull on the electrode, with the generator-electrode being disconnected, causing the stimulation to stop, or a cardiac rupture may even occur due to the direct pulling of the endocardium since the electrode is screwed thereon.

Likewise, the entire external system is exposed to the medium such that it can be colonized by bacteria and subsequently cause an infection in the patient.

The possibility of having an effective fastening system for all the externalized components, which increase the safety of these patients', preventing accidental detachments and possible infections as a result of contaminations due to the simple exposure of the system to the environment or to contact with healthcare personnel, would be desirable.

No external fastening device for temporary electrical cardiac stimulation systems of this type with permanent generators is known.

Aspects, embodiments and examples of the present disclosure which do not fall under the scope of the appended claims do not form part of the invention and are merely provided for illustrative purposes.

The fastening system for an electrical stimulation generator herein proposed comprises a generator for cardiac stimulation, such as a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a resynchronizer; a neurostimulation mechanism or another similar generator disposed externally with respect to the body of the patient, as well as an electrode that presents a first end for connection to the heart of the patient and a second end for connection to said generator.

This system comprises a casing for containing the generator therein. This casing has identical first and second openings disposed on opposite sides thereof.

Likewise, the system comprises means for the connection of the electrode to the first or second opening of the casing formed by a first pass-through connector for the second end of the electrode. Said first connector has an airtight valve therein.

Furthermore, the system has an airtight closing element which is disposed at the opening of the casing opposite the one presenting the means for the connection of the electrode.

The system in turn comprises a device for securing the electrode to the skin with means for anchoring to said electrode and means for adhering to the torso of the patient. It furthermore presents means for fastening the casing to the body of the patient.

A significant improvement with respect to the state of the art is achieved with the fastening system for an electrical stimulation generator herein proposed.

In other words, a fastening system with a highly relevant improvement in terms of safety against possible detachments is thereby achieved, which leads to a reduction in terms of possible accidental disconnections of the electrode from the generator or even of possible cardiac ruptures caused by the electrode being pulled during connection thereof to the endocardium.

Moreover, the airtightness achieved in all the components of the system allows infections related to intravascular systems to be significantly reduced, thereby eliminating any possible path for bacteria to enter the blood.

Likewise, the present invention is a system which can be secured both on the right side and on the left side of the body, as a result of the two openings of the casing which are disposed on both sides thereof and between which the airtight closing element and the first connector can be interchanged, allowing the electrode to come out from the two directions.

It is therefore a system that allows solving the drawbacks existing today in temporary electrical cardiac stimulation systems with permanent external generators in a simple and effective manner.

For the purpose of helping to better understand the features of the invention according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof, a series of drawings is provided as an integral part of said description in which the following is depicted in an illustrative and non-limiting manner:.

In view of the mentioned figures, it can be observed how in a preferred embodiment of the invention the fastening system (<NUM>) for an electrical stimulation generator (<NUM>) comprises a generator (<NUM>) for cardiac stimulation, such as a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a resynchronizer, a neurostimulation mechanism or another similar generator disposed externally with respect to the body of the patient (<NUM>) and an electrode (<NUM>) that presents a first end (<NUM>) for connection to the heart of the patient (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>) for connection to said generator (<NUM>).

This device comprises a casing (<NUM>) for containing said generator (<NUM>) therein, means for the connection of the electrode (<NUM>), an airtight closing element (<NUM>), a device (<NUM>) for securing the electrode (<NUM>) to the skin, and means for fastening the casing (<NUM>) to the body of the patient (<NUM>).

As shown in <FIG>, the casing (<NUM>) presents identical first and second openings (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on opposite sides thereof.

In this preferred embodiment of the invention, as can be seen in <FIG>, the casing (<NUM>) is formed by a rear part (<NUM>) in contact with the body of the patient (<NUM>) and a front part (<NUM>), joined together by hinged means (<NUM>), and comprises closing means at an end opposite the hinged means (<NUM>). In this embodiment, these closing means consist of the fitting of the first connector (<NUM>) in the first opening (<NUM>) of the casing (<NUM>) and the fitting of the closing element (<NUM>) in the second opening (<NUM>) thereof. Said fitting of both allows keeping both the rear part and the front part (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the casing (<NUM>) joined to one another.

In turn, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in this embodiment, the means for fastening the casing (<NUM>) to the body of the patient (<NUM>) are formed by a longitudinal and flexible strap (<NUM>) suitable for placement thereof around the neck of the patient (<NUM>) like a necklace.

Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, the casing (<NUM>) comprises on the external surface of the rear part (<NUM>) an eyelet (<NUM>) suitable for holding the longitudinal strap (<NUM>) therein. The strap (<NUM>) is therefore passed through the eyelet (<NUM>) of the casing (<NUM>) and is firmly secured to the neck of the patient (<NUM>).

In this system (<NUM>), the means for the connection of the electrode (<NUM>) are formed by a first pass-through connector (<NUM>) for the second end (<NUM>) of the electrode (<NUM>), having an airtight valve (<NUM>) therein.

In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrode (<NUM>) is connected to the generator (<NUM>) through the first opening (<NUM>), so the first connector (<NUM>) is disposed in said first opening (<NUM>), but in the case in which the connection is to be made on the other side of the patient's body, the electrode (<NUM>) would be connected through the second opening (<NUM>).

In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrode (<NUM>) comprises a sheath for covering same, in the externalized part thereof, between the point where it comes out through the first opening (<NUM>) of the casing (<NUM>), in this case, until the second connector (<NUM>) for anchoring to the device (<NUM>) for securing to the skin. In this case, the sheath is furthermore preferably formed by a plastic material having retractable properties.

As shown in <FIG>, the airtight valve (<NUM>) of the first connector (<NUM>) comprises internal disks (<NUM>) allowing the passage of the electrode (<NUM>) while at the same time providing airtightness to said first opening (<NUM>) in this case.

Given that the electrode (<NUM>) is connected to the generator (<NUM>) through the first opening (<NUM>), it is the second opening (<NUM>) of the casing (<NUM>) which presents an airtight closing element (<NUM>).

Moreover, the device (<NUM>) for securing the electrode (<NUM>) to the skin presents means for anchoring to said electrode (<NUM>) and means for adhering to the torso of the patient (<NUM>).

In this preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the device (<NUM>) for securing to the skin has a tubular shape with first and second ends (<NUM>, <NUM>) and at least one semicircular segment (<NUM>) between them. In this specific embodiment, this device (<NUM>) for securing to the skin comprises two additional straight segments (<NUM>) between the semicircular segment (<NUM>) and the first and second ends (<NUM>, <NUM>), respectively, of said device (<NUM>) for securing to the skin, as can be seen in said figures.

<FIG> and <FIG> show that the device (<NUM>) for securing to the skin comprises a groove (<NUM>) communicating the inside of the device (<NUM>) for securing to the skin with the outside along the entire length thereof between both first and second ends (<NUM>, <NUM>). The dimensions of said groove (<NUM>) are such that they allow the introduction of the electrode (<NUM>) inside the entire tubular path of the device (<NUM>) for securing to the skin from the first end (<NUM>) to the second end (<NUM>) thereof.

In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for anchoring the electrode (<NUM>) to the device (<NUM>) for securing to the skin are formed by a second connector (<NUM>), shown in <FIG>, and <FIG>, suitable for connection thereof in the first or second end (<NUM>, <NUM>) of said device (<NUM>) for securing to the skin, in this case the first end (<NUM>) thereof.

This second connector (<NUM>) presents first notches (<NUM>) on its inner surface, whereas the first and second ends (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the device (<NUM>) for securing to the skin present on their outer surface second notches (<NUM>) suitable for fitting with the first notches (<NUM>) of said second connector (<NUM>).

In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for adhering the device (<NUM>) for securing to the skin are formed by a protruding element (<NUM>) which protrudes from the semicircular segment (<NUM>) of said device (<NUM>) for securing to the skin, with a face (<NUM>) opposite said semicircular segment (<NUM>) and with an adhesive thereon.

Likewise, this device (<NUM>) for securing to the skin comprises means for tying the electrode (<NUM>) thereto, so as to fix the electrode (<NUM>) even more firmly to said device. These means for tying are formed by a silk thread or the like (not depicted in the figures), a third notch (<NUM>) around the contour of the central section of the semicircular segment (<NUM>), and a through hole (<NUM>) disposed between said notch and the protruding element (<NUM>) of the means for adhering such that it coincides with said third notch (<NUM>). This third notch (<NUM>) is suitable for the fitting of said silk thread and for tying same around the electrode (<NUM>).

A silk thread can therefore be passed through the through hole (<NUM>) and is fitted in the third notch (<NUM>) so that, when it is tied, the thread constricts the electrode (<NUM>), fixing it in place inside the groove (<NUM>) of the device (<NUM>) for securing to the skin.

In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the system (<NUM>) further comprises a padded element (<NUM>) on the inner surface of both front and rear parts (<NUM>, <NUM>) to thereby dampen the contact of the generator (<NUM>) with said front and rear parts (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the casing (<NUM>).

Claim 1:
A fastening system (<NUM>) for an electrical stimulation generator (<NUM>), comprising a generator (<NUM>) for cardiac stimulation, such as a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a resynchronizer; a neurostimulation mechanism or another similar generator disposed externally with respect to the body of the patient (<NUM>) and an electrode (<NUM>) that presents a first end (<NUM>) for connection to the heart of the patient (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>) for connection to said generator (<NUM>), characterized in that it further comprises:
- a casing (<NUM>) for containing the generator (<NUM>) therein that presents identical first and second openings (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on opposite sides thereof;
- means for the connection of the electrode (<NUM>) to the first or second opening (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the casing (<NUM>) formed by a first pass-through connector (<NUM>) for the second end (<NUM>) of the electrode (<NUM>), wherein the first connector (<NUM>) has an airtight valve (<NUM>) therein;
- an airtight closing element (<NUM>) disposed at the opening of the casing (<NUM>) opposite the one presenting the means for the connection of the electrode (<NUM>);
- a device (<NUM>) for securing the electrode (<NUM>) to the skin having means for anchoring to said electrode (<NUM>) and means for adhering to the torso of the patient (<NUM>); and
- means for fastening the casing (<NUM>) to the body of the patient (<NUM>).
wherein the casing (<NUM>) is formed by a rear part (<NUM>) in contact with the body of the patient (<NUM>) and a front part (<NUM>), joined together by hinged means (<NUM>) and comprises closing means at an end opposite the hinged means (<NUM>) by means of the fitting of the first connector (<NUM>) and of the closing element (<NUM>) in both first and second openings (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the casing (<NUM>), each one in one of said openings; wherein the positions of the closing element (<NUM>) and the first connector (<NUM>) are interchangeable allowing the electrode (<NUM>) to be connectable to the first opening (<NUM>) or to the second opening (<NUM>).