Medtronic, Inc.

Medtronic Vascular, Inc.

Maria Valdovinos

William Berthiaume

Don H Tran

H Allan Steingisser

Brent L Locsin

Erik Griswold

Joseph Berglund

Conor Flannery

Suruchi Anand

Brent Locsin

A guide catheter assembly includes a dilator and a guide catheter. The dilator includes a dilator lumen extending from a distal opening at a distal end to a proximal opening at a proximal end, and a side exit port proximal of the distal opening and in communication with the dilator lumen. The guide catheter includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a guide lumen extending therebetween. The dilator and the guide lumen are sized such that the dilator can pass through the guide lumen. The dilator and the guide catheter are sized such that with the proximal end of the dilator generally aligned along an axis with the proximal end of the guide catheter, the distal end of the dilator extends distally past the distal end of the guide catheter and the side exit port is disposed distal of the distal end of the guide catheter.

Sheathless guide catheter assembly

A tether subassembly, which may be employed by a tool that deploys an implantable medical device, includes a test segment for verification of adequate fixation of the device at an implant site. When the device is located in proximity to a distal opening of the tube, a tether first length extends through an attachment structure of the device and within an elongate tube of the tool, a tether second length extends alongside the tether first length within the tube, and the test segment is located in proximity to the distal opening. The test segment is configured so that only a tug force, applied to the tether first length, and greater than or equal to a predetermined force, can pull the test segment through an aperture, either of the delivery tool or of the device. The predetermined force corresponds to a minimum adequate fixation force for the device.

Interventional medical systems, tools, and subassemblies

A tool of an interventional medical systems system includes a core configured to be temporarily attached to the implantable medical device, as the tool deploys the device to expose a fixation member of the device for engagement with tissue at a target implant site; the core is then employed to verify adequate fixation of the deployed device via a tug test. An operator determines that the device is adequately fixed by the engaged fixation member, if a tug force that is applied to the core modifies the temporary attachment between the core and the device, to allow release of the device from the temporary attachment. A tether, which is fixedly attached to the core, may be employed to create the temporary attachment between the core and the device, or the temporary attachment may be created by a snap fit formed between the core and the attachment structure of the device.

Interventional medical systems, tools, and associated methods

A delivery system assembly includes an elongate inner member that extends distally through a lumen of an elongate outer tube of the assembly; the outer tube is moveable relative to the inner member between first and second positions to deploy an implantable medical device that is held within the outer tube lumen. The inner member may include a flared distal end that abuts, and preferably conforms to, the proximal end of the device, when the device is held within the outer tube lumen. The assembly further includes a stability sheath that surrounds a limited length of the outer tube, in proximity to the handle, to provide an interface for both an operator, who handles the assembly, and for an introducer sheath that provides passage for the assembly into the venous system, so that movement of the outer tube is not hindered by either during device deployment.

Delivery system assemblies for implantable medical devices

A steerable delivery catheter includes an outer sheath with a housing disposed at a distal end thereof to define a chamber for a medical device, the chamber having an open distal end and a proximal inner shelf. An inner shaft is slidably disposed within the sheath and has an abutment attached to the distal end of the shaft, the abutment being slidably contained within the chamber. During navigation of the catheter, when the inner shaft is tensioned the abutment engages the shelf to apply a compressive force to the sheath to selectively deflect a distal region of the catheter. When the catheter has been navigated to the deployment site the sheath is withdrawn while the abutment maintains the medical device in place as it is deployed. A delivery method also is disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Rosa, CA, United States of America

Maria Valdovinos