SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPLANTATION OF AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE

• US 20120109149A1
• Filed: 10/29/2010
• Published: 05/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bonner, Matthew D., Usher, Raymond W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,504,820 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/129
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• 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 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0578 having means for removal or extraction
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/058 Fixing tools

Abstract

System and method for implanting an implantable medical device. A catheter has a lumen and a distal portion configured for insertion in proximity of tissue of a patient. An implantable medical device has a fixation member operatively coupled to the housing having an unengaged state when in the lumen of the catheter and an engaged state configured to engage tissue of a patient when outside of the lumen of the catheter, the medical device being magnetically attractable. A magnetic element is configured to magnetically engage the implantable medical device and to pass through the lumen of the catheter.

Claims

1. A medical device system, comprising:

a catheter having a lumen and a distal portion configured for insertion in proximity of tissue of a patient; and

a implantable medical device having a fixation member operatively coupled to said housing having an unengaged state when in said lumen of said catheter and an engaged state configured to engage tissue of a patient when outside of said lumen of said catheter, said medical device being magnetically attractable; and

a magnetic element being configured to magnetically engage said implantable medical device and to pass through said lumen of said catheter.

2. The medical device system as in claim 1 wherein said magnetic element is configured to convert said fixation member of said implantable medical device from said unengaged state to said engaged state to engage said tissue of said patient

3. The medical device system as in claim 2 wherein said magnetic attraction between said magnetic element and said implantable medical device is at least one quarter Newtons.

4. The medical device system as in claim 2 wherein said fixation member comprises at least one tine having a fixation force configured to secure said at least one tine to said tissue of said patient.

5. The medical device system as in claim 4 wherein said magnetic attraction between said magnetic element and said implantable medical device is less than said fixation force of said at least one tine.

6. The medical device system as in claim 1 wherein said fixation member has an engaged state engaged with said tissue of said patient while implanted and an unengaged state unengaged with said tissue of said patient and wherein said fixation member changes from said unengaged state to said engaged state by operation of said magnetic element.

7. The medical device system as in claim 1 wherein said fixation member is located proximate a distal portion of said implantable medical device.

8. The medical device system as in claim 7 wherein a proximal portion of said implantable medical device is magnetically attractable to said magnetic element.

9. The medical device system as in claim 1 further comprising a snare having a distal portion and configured for insertion, said snare having a mechanical engaging member proximate said distal portion of said snare, said snare being configured to pass through said catheter and mechanically engage said implantable medical device.

10. The medical device system as in claim 9 wherein said snare is configured to pass through said catheter and mechanically engage said implantable medical device while said magnetic element has magnetically engaged said implantable medical device.

11. The medical device system as in claim 9 wherein, when said magnetic element is magnetically engaged with said implantable medical device, said magnetic element provides, at least in part, a physical guide for said snare to mechanically engage said implantable medical device.

12. The medical device system as in claim 9 wherein said fixation member comprises at least one tine having a fixation force securing said at least one tine to said tissue of said patient and wherein said mechanical engaging member mechanically engages said implantable medical device proximate said second portion of said implantable medical device with a connection force greater than said fixation force of said at least one tine.

13. The medical device system as in claim 9 wherein said mechanical engaging member comprises a lasso.

14. The medical device system as in claim 1 wherein said fixation member is located proximate a first end of said implantable medical device and wherein said implantable medical device further comprises a magnetic component positioned proximate a second end of said implantable medical device opposite said first end providing said magnetic attraction.

15. The medical device system of claim 14 wherein said magnetic component of said implantable medical device comprises a magnet.

16. The medical device system of claim 1 wherein said catheter is configured to be inserted transvenously.

17. A method of implanting a magnetically attractable implantable medical device having a fixation member operatively coupled to a housing, said fixation member having an engaged state configured to engage tissue of a patient and an unengaged state, comprising the steps of:

inserting a catheter having a lumen and a distal portion in proximity of said tissue of said patient;

inserting said implantable medical device into said lumen of said catheter, said fixation member being in said unengaged state;

inserting a magnetic element into said lumen of said catheter;

magnetically engaging said implantable medical device with a magnetic attraction from said magnetic element;

then

ejecting said implantable medical device from said lumen of said catheter causing said fixation member to engage said tissue of said patient in said engaged state;

then

disengaging said magnetic element from said implantable medical device; and

then

withdrawing said catheter and said magnetic element from said patient leaving said implantable medical device engaged with said tissue of said patient.

18. The method as in claim 17 wherein said magnetic attraction between said magnetic element and said implantable medical device is at least one quarter Newtons.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step, after said engaging step and before said disengaging step of exerting a retracting force on said implantable medical device with said magnetic element less than said fixation force to verify said fixation member has engaged said tissue with a force at least as great as said magnetic attraction between said magnetic element and said implantable medical device.

20. The method as in claim 17 wherein said fixation member comprises at least one tine having a fixation force securing said at least one tine to said tissue of said patient and wherein said magnetic attraction between said magnetic element and said implantable medical device is less than said fixation force.

21. The method as in claim 17 wherein said ejecting said implantable medical device from said lumen of said catheter step is performed by applying a longitudinal force on said implantable medical device with said magnetic element.

22. The method as in claim 17 wherein said fixation member is located proximate a distal portion of said implantable medical device.

23. The method as in claim 22 wherein a proximal portion of said implantable medical device is magnetically attractable to said magnetic element.

24. The method as in claim 17 wherein said fixation member is located proximate a first end of said implantable medical device and wherein said implantable medical device further comprises a magnetic component positioned proximate a second end of said implantable medical device opposite said first end providing said magnetic attraction.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said magnetic component of said implantable medical device comprises a magnet.

26. The method of claim 17 wherein said inserting said catheter step and said withdrawing step are transvenous.