IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE FIXATION

• US 20140180306A1
• Filed: 02/28/2014
• Published: 06/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Grubac, Vladimir, Bonner, Matthew D., Usher, Raymond W., Anderson, Thomas A., Alfoqaha, Arshad A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,844,659 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/129
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0573 chacterised by means penetrating the heart tissue, e.g. helix needle or hook
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37518 Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

Various fixation techniques for implantable medical device (IMDs) are described. In one example, an assembly comprises an IMD; and a set of active fixation tines attached to the IMD. The active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the IMD to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the IMD. The active fixation tines are configured to secure the IMD to a patient tissue when deployed while the distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned adjacent to the patient tissue.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising:

an implantable medical device; and

a set of active fixation tines attached to the implantable medical device,

wherein the active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the implantable medical device to a curved, hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the implantable medical device,

wherein the active fixation tines comprise means for creating forces when deployed within the tissue such that the active fixation tines pull the implantable medical device toward the patient tissue while the active fixation tines are positioned within the patient tissue.

2. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein the distal ends of the tines comprise generally straight segments and portions proximal to the straight segments comprise arcuate segments.

3. An assembly as in claim 2 wherein the tines are made of a super-elastic material.

4. An assembly as in claim 3 wherein super-elastic material comprises nitinol.

5. An assembly comprising:

an implantable medical device; and

a set of active fixation tines attached to the implantable medical device,

wherein the active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the implantable medical device to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the implantable medical device,

wherein, after the set of the active fixation tines is deployed to secure the implantable medical device to a patient tissue, the assembly is configured to release from the tissue without tearing the tissue by pulling the assembly away from the tissue.

6. An assembly as in claim 5, wherein the assembly is configured to be released from the tissue without tearing the tissue by pulling the implantable medical device away from the tissue by:

first, pulling on the implantable medical device to stretch the tissue until the tissue stiffness matches the tine straightening force;

second, further pulling on the implantable medical device until the tines straighten without tearing the tissue; and

third, continue pulling on the implantable medical device once the tines have straightened sufficiently to remove the tines from the tissue without tearing the tissue.

7. An assembly as in claim 6, wherein the distal ends of the tines comprise generally straight segments and portions proximal to the straight segments comprise arcuate segments.

8. An assembly as in claim 6 wherein the tines are made of a super-elastic material.

9. An assembly as in claim 6 wherein super-elastic material comprises nitinol.

10. A kit for implanting an implantable medical device within a patient, the kit comprising:

the implantable medical device;

a set of active fixation tines attached to the implantable medical device,

wherein the active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the implantable medical device to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the implantable medical device,

a catheter forming a lumen sized to receive the implantable medical device and hold the active fixation tines in the spring-loaded position, wherein the lumen includes an aperture that is adjacent to the distal end of the catheter; and

a deployment element configured to initiate deployment of the active fixation tines while the implantable medical device is positioned within the lumen of the catheter,

wherein the active fixation tines are configured to pull the implantable medical device out of the lumen via the aperture that is adjacent to the distal end of the catheter.

11. A kit as in claim 10, wherein the distal ends of the tines comprise generally straight segments and portions proximal to the straight segments comprise arcuate segments.

12. A kit as in claim 11 wherein the tines are made of a super-elastic material.

13. A kit as in claim 12 wherein super-elastic material comprises nitinol.

14. A kit as in claim 10, further comprising a tether attached to the implantable medical device, the tether being configured to facilitate pulling the implantable medical device back into the lumen from the proximal end of the catheter after the active fixation tines pull the implantable medical device out of the lumen, wherein pulling the implantable medical device back into the lumen with the tether returns the active fixation tines to the spring-loaded position from the hooked position such that the active fixation tines can be redeployed with the deployment element.

15. A kit as in claim 10, wherein, after the set of the active fixation tines is deployed to secure the implantable medical device to the patient tissue, the active fixation tines are configured to facilitate releasing the implantable medical device from the tissue without tearing the tissue by pulling the implantable medical device away from the tissue using the tether.

16. A kit as in claim 10, wherein the deployment element is configured to be remotely activated by a clinician from a proximal end of the catheter.

17. A kit as in claim 10, the active fixation tines are configured to be deployed by pushing the implantable medical device towards the distal end of the catheter until the distal ends of the active fixation tines extend out of the aperture.