Intravascular medical device

• US 20070179550A1
• Filed: 01/30/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: George J. Klein
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Klein, George, Gebhardt, Ursula, Anderson, Kenneth, Zillmer, Glenn, Dennis, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 7,616,992 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/025 Digital circuitry features of electrotherapy devices, e.g. memory, clocks, processors
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3629 in combination with non-electric therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 Pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37516 Intravascular implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3968 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings A61N1/375 takes precedence

Abstract

An implantable medical device is configured so that all of the major components including a housing and attached leads are disposed within the vasculature of a patient. A tether extends from the housing of the device to an implant location where the tether is secured to tissue outside of the vasculature. In this manner, an intravascular medical device may be implanted at a location remote from final placement, delivered via the vasculature and anchored at the initial entry point.

Claims

1. A method of implanting an intravascular medical device (IVMD), comprising:

percutaneously puncturing a vascular structure;

delivering a housing containing operative components of the IVMD through puncture, into the vascular structure and to a target location within the vascular structure remote from the puncture; and

securing a proximal end of a tether to a location external to the vascular structure, wherein the distal end of the tether is coupled with the housing.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising cutting the tether to define the proximal end.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising coupling an anchoring member to the proximal end, wherein the anchoring member is affixed to the location.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the housing includes:

inserting a stylet through a lumen in the tether until the stylet abuts the housing; and

advancing the housing by advancing and manipulating the stylet.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the housing includes:

inserting a stylet through a lumen in the tether;

passing the stylet through a lumen in the housing coaxially aligned the lumen in the tether; and

passing the stylet into a lumen in a lead coupled with housing; and

navigating the stylet so that the lead is delivered to a lead location.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the housing includes:

coupling a stylet to an exterior of a lead coupled with the housing;

navigating the stylet to deliver the lead to a lead location; and

uncoupling the stylet from the lead.

7. A method of providing cardiac therapy, comprising:

delivering one or more leads to a target location;

delivering a housing electrically coupled with the one or more leads and containing the operative components to provide cardiac therapy to an intravascular location;

securing the housing within vasculature via a tether coupled with the housing and affixed to a location exterior to the vasculature.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the operative components provide cardiac pacing.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the operative components provide cardiac defibrillation.

10. An intravascular medical device (IVMD) comprising:

a first housing component including one or more operative components of the IVMD and having a proximal end and a distal end, the first housing component configured for deployment within a vascular structure;

a lead coupleable to a distal end of the first housing component;

a tether coupleable to the proximal end of the first housing component and configured to secure the first housing location within the vascular structure; and

a second housing component including one or more operative components of the IVMD and operatively coupled with the first housing component.

11. The IVMD of claim 10, wherein the second housing components includes a lumen configured to receive the tether to permit coupling of the first housing component to the second housing component.

12. The IVMD of claim 10 wherein the first housing component includes components for provide a first cardiac therapy and the second housing component includes components to provide a second cardiac therapy.

13. The IVMD of claim 10, wherein the second housing component includes a power supply that provides power to the first housing component with the first housing component is coupled with the second housing component.

14. The IVMD of claim 10, further comprising a second tether coupled with the second housing component.

15. An intravascular medical device (IVMD) comprising:

an intravascular housing;

means for sensing one or more cardiac parameters;

means for delivering one or more cardiac therapies;

a tether coupled with the intravascular housing; and

means for securing a proximal end of the tether to a location exterior to the vasculature to retain the housing within the vasculature.

16. The IVMD of claim 15, further comprising:

a telemetry module disposed within the housing;

an antenna in operatively communication with the telemetry module and coupled with the tether.

17. The IVMD of claim 15, further comprising means for engaging a stylet for intravascular navigation.

18. The IVMD of claim 15, further comprising means for operatively coupling one or more additional housing components to the intravascular housing.

19. The IVMD of claim 15, further comprising means for identifying a location of the proximal end of the tether subsequent to implantation.