Leadless Pacemaker Retrieval Docking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cardiac pacemakers with leads can be cumbersome for retrieval from the heart, and there is a need for efficient retrieval methods for leadless cardiac pacemakers implanted within cardiac chambers.

Innovation Solution

The design of a leadless cardiac pacing device with a docking member featuring a head and neck portion, where the neck has a smaller radial dimension than the head, and a collapsible covering that allows for secure engagement by a retrieval device, facilitating the removal of the device from the heart.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a leadless cardiac pacemaker is implanted within a cardiac chamber, then the device can provide electrical stimulation to heart tissue, but the device becomes difficult to retrieve from the implantation site

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretrieval easeVSAvoiddocking member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The docking member is segmented into a head portion and a neck portion with different radial dimensions. The neck portion has a smaller radial dimension than the head portion, creating a distinct geometric feature that facilitates snare engagement and retrieval while maintaining structural integrity of the overall docking member

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A collapsible covering is introduced as an intermediary element between the docking member and the surrounding tissue environment. This covering can be collapsed by a retrieval snare to enable secure engagement with the docking member, facilitating retrieval without requiring the docking member itself to have complex retrieval features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a docking member with enlarged head portion is used to facilitate retrieval, then retrieval is enabled, but the device may cause tissue entanglement or blood coagulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretrieval capabilityVSAvoidtissue entanglement and blood coagulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A collapsible covering made of a flexible, thin-walled material is used to enclose the docking member. This covering can be collapsed by a retrieval snare to enable engagement, and its flexible nature allows it to conform to the docking member geometry without causing tissue entanglement or blood coagulation. The thin-walled construction minimizes the profile when collapsed while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The covering transitions from an expanded state during implantation to a collapsed state during retrieval. This dynamic transformation allows the covering to provide protection and structural support when needed, while minimizing its profile and eliminating harmful effects during the retrieval process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11717677B2Leadless cardiac pacemaker with retrieval features

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 CARDIAC PACEMAKERS INC

AI summary

An implantable leadless cardiac pacing device and associated retrieval features. The implantable device includes a docking member extending from the proximal end of the housing of the implantable device including a covering surrounding at least a portion of the docking member configured to facilitate retrieval of the implantable leadless cardiac pacing device.