Leadless Pacemaker Docking Member for Snare Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for efficient delivery and retrieval methods for leadless cardiac pacemakers, as conventional pacemakers with leads can be cumbersome and pose challenges in implantation and removal.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a housing with a docking member featuring a head and neck portion, facilitating retrieval through a snare mechanism, and a delivery system with a driver mechanism for secure implantation, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement from cardiac tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional pacemaker with lead is used, then electrical stimulation can be provided to heart tissue, but the device becomes cumbersome and difficult to implant and remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the lead component from the conventional pacemaker system, creating a leadless pacemaker where the pulse generator is implanted directly into the cardiac chamber. This eliminates the cumbersome lead and its associated implantation and removal difficulties while maintaining the electrical stimulation function through direct tissue contact electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The pacemaker device is segmented into distinct functional components: the pulse generator housing containing the battery and circuitry, the fixation mechanism for secure anchoring, and the electrodes for electrical stimulation. This segmentation allows for simplified implantation of the main body while maintaining all necessary functions.
2Reliability
If a leadless cardiac pacemaker is used, then the device size is reduced and tissue entanglement is minimized, but secure fixation and reliable retrieval become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation mechanism incorporates a helical (screw-like) structure that engages with the cardiac tissue wall through rotational movement. This curved, spiral geometry provides secure mechanical anchoring while allowing for controlled insertion and retrieval operations, balancing reliability with operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
A docking member is introduced as an intermediary component between the pacemaker body and the delivery/retrieval system. This docking member includes engagement features (such as lugs or slots) that interface with corresponding features on the delivery catheter, enabling secure fixation during implantation and controlled retrieval when needed.
3Ease of operation
If a docking member with head and neck portion is used, then retrieval through snare mechanism is enabled, but delivery and retrieval operations become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The docking member is segmented into distinct portions: a head portion with engagement features for the snare mechanism and a neck portion that connects to the pacemaker body. This segmentation allows the head to be targeted for retrieval while the neck provides a secure attachment point, simplifying the retrieval operation despite the added structural element.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking member serves as an intermediary interface between the pacemaker and the retrieval system. Its specially designed engagement features (such as loops or hooks in the head portion) provide reliable capture by the snare mechanism, enabling easy retrieval without requiring complex manipulation or additional tools.
4Reliability
If a driver mechanism with lugs is used for engagement, then secure implantation is achieved, but the delivery system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The driver mechanism is segmented into discrete lugs or engagement features that can be independently designed and positioned. This segmentation allows for simple, reliable engagement with the docking member while keeping the overall delivery system design straightforward and manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable leadless cardiac pacing device and associated delivery and retrieval devices. The implantable device includes a docking member extending from the proximal end of the housing of the implantable device configured to engage with the delivery and/or retrieval device to facilitate delivery and/or retrieval of the implantable leadless cardiac pacing device.