Guidewire and Implantable Electrode Line

Abstract

A guide wire for introducing an implantable electrode line, wherein the electrode line is a heart electrode line for intracardial sensing of cardiac action potentials and/or for electrical stimulation or defibrillation of the heart, and wherein the guide wire has means for removable interlocking of its end at or near the proximal end of the electrode line.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . A method of implanting an electrode line, in particular a heart electrode line for at least one of intracardial sensing of cardiac action potentials and electrical stimulation and defibrillation of a heart, into one of a human body and an animal body, comprising:
 inserting a guide wire into a lumen of the electrode line;   engaging a frictional element and a portion of the electrode line in a frictional locking manner by relative motion in a longitudinal direction of the guide wire to facilitate coupling the guide wire to the electrode line;   inserting the guide wire together with the electrode line into one of the human body and the animal body;   disengaging the frictional element from a portion of the electrode line; and   removing the guide wire from the lumen of the electrode line.   
   
   
       19 . A method in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein engaging a frictional element and a portion of the electrode line further comprises engaging a frictional element and a portion of the electrode line to substantially prevent a longitudinal displacement of the frictional element relative to the electrode line. 
   
   
       20 . A method in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein engaging a frictional element and a portion of the electrode line further comprises deforming the guide wire via the relative motion in the longitudinal direction of the guide wire. 
   
   
       21 . A method in accordance with  claim 18  further comprising providing the frictional element with a socket defining a bore configured to receive a portion of the guide wire. 
   
   
       22 . A method in accordance with  claim 18  further comprising providing the frictional element with one of a wedge-shaped element and a conical element such that the frictional element is formed on or fixedly provided on the guide wire. 
   
   
       23 . A method in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein engaging a frictional element and a portion of the electrode line further comprises enlarging an effective contact diameter of the guide wire to a diameter at least equal to an inner diameter of the lumen. 
   
   
       24 . A method in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein enlarging an effective contact diameter of the guide wire further comprises deforming a portion of the guide wire into one of a curved, a wavy, a V-shaped, a zig-zag and a trapezoidal shape. 
   
   
       25 . A method in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein inserting the guide wire together with said electrode line into the one of the human body and the animal body further comprises inserting the guide wire together with the electrode line into a vascular system of one of the human body and the animal body. 
   
   
       26 . A method in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein engaging a frictional element and a portion of the electrode line in a frictional locking manner further comprises engaging the guide wire securely in the electrode line during an introduction of the guide wire together with the electrode line into the vascular system. 
   
   
       27 . A system for introducing an implantable electrode line into a body, said system comprising:
 a guide wire comprising a deformed portion configured to enlarge an effective contact diameter of said guide wire;   an electrode line comprising:
 a lumen configured to receive a first portion of said guide wire and engage the deformed portion such that said guide wire is substantially parallel to an inner surface of said lumen; and 
 a stopper inserted within said lumen, said stopper comprising a longitudinal hole oriented eccentrically to a longitudinal axis of said electrode line, the longitudinal hole, upon insertion of said guide wire therein, facilitates coupling said guide wire within said lumen and facilitates a force-locking engagement between said guide wire and said electrode line. 
   
   
   
       28 . A system in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein the deformed portion comprises one of a wedge-shaped element and a conical element formed on or fixedly provided on said guide wire, the deformed portion configured to enlarge an effective contact diameter of said guide wire to a diameter at least equal to an inner diameter of said lumen. 
   
   
       29 . A system in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein the deformed portion has one of a curved, a wavy, a V-shaped, a zig-zag and a trapezoidal shape. 
   
   
       30 . A system in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein the stopper is inserted at its proximal end into a plug pin. 
   
   
       31 . A guide wire for introducing an implantable electrode line, in particular a heart electrode line for intracardial sensing of cardiac action potentials and/or for electrical stimulation or defibrillation of the heart, said guide wire is configured for interlocking with the electrode line, said guide wire comprises a deformation configured to enlarge an effective contact diameter of said guide wire to a value corresponding essentially to an inner diameter of a lumen of the electrode line. 
   
   
       32 . A guide wire in accordance with  claim 31  wherein said deformation comprises one of a wedge-shaped element or a conical element fixedly provided on said guide wire, said deformation comprising an engagement section tapering toward a distal end of said guide wire. 
   
   
       33 . A guide wire in accordance with  claim 31 , wherein said deformation comprises one of a curved, a wavy, a V-shaped, a zig-zag, or a trapezoidal shape. 
   
   
       34 . A guide wire in accordance with  claim 31  further comprising a split taper socket configured to engage a plug pin of the electrode line and to produce a force-locking engagement with the electrode line. 
   
   
       35 . A guide wire in accordance with  claim 34 , wherein the split taper socket is fabricated from an elastic material, the split taper socket is configured to elastically receive and enclose the plug pin.