	US 12,268,867 B2
	Implantable medical device fixation
Vladimir Grubac, Brooklyn Park, MN (US); Matthew D. Bonner, Plymouth, MN (US); Raymond W. Usher, Coon Rapids, MN (US); Thomas A. Anderson, New Hope, MN (US); and Arshad A. Alfoqaha, Eden Prairie, MN (US)
Assigned to Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed by Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed on Jun. 13, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/742,796.
Application 18/742,796 is a continuation of application No. 17/099,401, filed on Nov. 16, 2020, granted, now 12,157,003.
Application 17/099,401 is a continuation of application No. 16/169,276, filed on Oct. 24, 2018, granted, now 10,835,737, issued on Nov. 17, 2020.
Application 16/169,276 is a continuation of application No. 15/809,579, filed on Nov. 10, 2017, granted, now 10,118,026, issued on Nov. 6, 2018.
Application 15/809,579 is a continuation of application No. 14/193,306, filed on Feb. 28, 2014, granted, now 9,844,659, issued on Dec. 19, 2017.
Application 14/193,306 is a continuation of application No. 13/096,881, filed on Apr. 28, 2011, granted, now 9,775,982, issued on Oct. 3, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/428,067, filed on Dec. 29, 2010.
Prior Publication US 2024/0325730 A1, Oct. 3, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61N 1/05 (2006.01); A61N 1/375 (2006.01)

CPC A61N 1/05 (2013.01) [A61N 1/0573 (2013.01); A61N 1/37518 (2017.08); A61N 1/3756 (2013.01)]

21 Claims

1. An assembly comprising:

an implantable medical device; and

a set of active fixation tines attached adjacent to a distal end of the implantable medical device, including a first active fixation tine;

wherein the first active fixation tine in the set is deployable from a spring-loaded position toward a hooked position;

wherein the first active fixation tine comprises a proximal end that is fixedly attached to the implantable medical device in both the spring-loaded position and the hooked position;

wherein the first active fixation tine is configured to help secure the implantable medical device to a patient tissue when the first active fixation tine is deployed toward the hooked position;

wherein the first active fixation tine is configured to deploy from the spring-loaded position toward the hooked position in response to releasing the first active fixation tine from the spring-loaded position and allowing the first active fixation tine to bend toward the hooked position;

wherein the implantable medical device includes a first electrode;

wherein the active fixation tines are positioned substantially equidistant from each other at the distal end of the implantable medical device, and extend distally from the distal end of the implantable medical device;

wherein the first electrode is located on the distal end of the implantable medical device, between and radially inward of the active fixation tines, wherein the implantable medical device is configured such that the first electrode electrically contacts the patient tissue when the implantable medical device is secured to the patient tissue.

10. A kit for implanting a leadless pacemaker within a patient, the kit comprising:

the leadless pacemaker;

a set of active fixation tines attached to the leadless pacemaker adjacent a distal end of the leadless pacemaker, wherein a first active fixation tine of the set of active fixation tines is configured to be deployed from a spring-loaded position toward a hooked position;

wherein the active fixation tines are positioned substantially equidistant from each other at the distal end of the leadless pacemaker, and extend distally from the distal end of the leadless pacemaker;

wherein each active fixation tine of the set of active fixation tines is deployable from the spring-loaded position toward the hooked position, and each active fixation tine of the set of active fixation tines comprises a proximal end that is fixedly attached to the leadless pacemaker in both the spring-loaded position and the hooked position;

a catheter forming a lumen sized to receive the leadless pacemaker and hold each active fixation tine of the set of active fixation tines in the spring-loaded position; and

a deployment element configured to initiate deployment of at least the first active fixation tine of the set of active fixation tines while the leadless pacemaker is positioned within the lumen of the catheter such that at least a portion of the first active fixation tine is adjacent the distal end of the catheter,

wherein the set of active fixation tines is configured such that the deployment of at least the first active fixation tine of the set of active fixation tines from the spring-loaded position toward the hooked position helps secure the leadless pacemaker to patient tissue.

15. A kit for implanting a leadless pacemaker within a patient, the kit comprising:

the leadless pacemaker, wherein the leadless pacemaker has a distal end face and a first electrode on the distal end face;

a set of active fixation tines attached to the leadless pacemaker, the active fixation tines configured to have a spring-loaded position for advancement of the leadless pacemaker toward a deployment location, and a relaxed position in which the active fixation tines have a hooked configuration;

wherein the active fixation tines are positioned substantially equidistant from each other at the distal end of the leadless pacemaker, near a periphery of the distal end face and radially outward of the first electrode;

wherein the active fixation tines extend distally from the distal end face of the leadless pacemaker where they emerge from the distal end face;

wherein respective proximal ends of the active fixation tines are fixedly attached to the leadless pacemaker in both the spring-loaded position and the relaxed position;

a catheter forming a lumen sized to receive the leadless pacemaker and hold each active fixation tine of the set of active fixation tines in the spring-loaded position; and

a deployment element configured to initiate deployment of the leadless pacemaker and the tines by pushing the leadless pacemaker and the tines together, distally, toward a distal end opening of the catheter;

wherein, when in the spring-loaded position in the catheter, respective distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned distal of the leadless pacemaker, so as to exit the catheter before the leadless pacemaker as the leadless pacemaker is advanced distally from the catheter during the process of deployment.