Sintered Platinum for Cardiac Pacing

Abstract

Platinum electrodes for cardiac stimulation having a surface porosity in the range of 40 μm have been prepared with a sintering process.

These electrodes showed excellent in vitro characteristics (low polarization and sensing impedance). Animal testing proved good tissue acceptance and clinical trials in 31 patients gave the following results: threshold at implant 0,375 μJ (SD: 0.174 μJ), chronic threshold 1.15 μJ (SD: 1.05 μJ). The longest observation period was 7 months and the mean observation period was 17.1 weeks.

These results indicate that this type of electrode allows safe stimulation of the heart with low energy pulses; in particular a reliable safety margin could be obtained with pulses having the amplitude of the existing lithium batteries, avoiding the need for a voltage doubler. This would improve the battery utilization and the pulse generator longevity.

Keywords

Pacemakers leads Low threshold electrodes Polarization Cardiac stimulation

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